Meet the courageous young leader, Malala Yousafzai, who is changing the lives of girls all over the world. Malala is the world's youngest Nobel Peach Prize winner, being recognized for her courageous work in a fight for gender equality in global education. 

At the age of 14, after speaking out against the Taliban in her native country of Pakistan, she was targeted and shot by a group of terrorists while she was returning from school.

Not only did she survive, she has become a symbol of peace and hope around the world. 

Learn how Malala inspires hope for global change, especially in places where girls don't have an equal opportunity to get an education.

In this exclusive, unedited interview with Jon Stewart of the Daily Show from 2013, "I Am Malala" author Malala Yousafzai remembers the Taliban's rise to power in her Pakistani hometown. She describes the beauty of her homeland and the cruelty of the Taliban. Malala Yousafzai also offers suggestions for people looking to help out overseas and stresses the importance of education.

Read more about Malala in this article by Biography.com and A+E Networks. We have also included a link (which will require a sign in to Newsela) which has been adapted to the article to read at five separate lexile levels by the Newsela staff.

The article reviews her life in Pakistan and her struggle as a girl for an equal education. Her fight led to her being targeted and shot by the Taliban, who tried, unsuccessfully, to silence her. 

Despite the attack, she continues to advocate for a female's right to education throughout the world. 

She has since won the Nobel Peace Prize, met with multiple world leaders, given speeches to the United Nations, and continues to have her voice heard around the globe. The world is listening to her message.

"If one girl can change the world, what can 130 million girls do?"

This thought provoking question appears on Malala's website, www.malala.org. On this website, you can learn more about her story, girl's education, and how you can help end a systemic problem. #YesAllGirls

Another way to learn more about this amazing person is by watching the National Geographic documentary (Available on Amazon and iTunes) on Malala's life. In 2015, "He Named Me Malala." was released and is based off of Malala's life and her autobiography, "I am Malala." It's an inspiring documentary about a courageous individual. (It is recommended you get the audiobook for the Young Reader's Edition, as many of the words will be difficult for many English speakers.)

Below is the trailer to the film, along with a link to Common Sense Media's review of the film, which received a "Great for Families" recommendation.

We hope you enjoyed this lesson are inspired to do more!

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