Activist Malala Yousafzai becomes the youngest-ever UN Messenger of Peace.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will designate Malala as a United Nations Messenger of Peace with a special focus on girls’ education.
Malala is a Pakistani activist for female education. From the age of 11, she has been campaigning and writing about her life, her activism and against the Taliban’s regime. She quickly rose to prominence and was nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize.
She hit the headlines in 2012 after the Taliban shot her in the head for campaigning for girls’ education. The assassination attempt on Malala caused shockwaves across the globe, with many media outlets and public figures coming out in support of her.
Since the attack, Malala has gone on to receive Pakistan’s first National Youth Peace Prize. In 2014, she was named as co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, the youngest ever laureate. She was also named as one of TIME magazines ‘Top 100 Most Influential People in the World’.
Speaking of Malala’s latest appointment, UN Secretary-General Guterres said, “Even in the face of grave danger, Malala Yousafzai has shown an unwavering commitment to the rights of women, girls and all people.”
“Her courageous activism for girls’ education has already energized so many people around the world.”
“Now as our youngest-ever UN Messenger of Peace, Malala can do even more to help create a more just and peaceful world.”
United Nations Messengers of Peace are widely recognised public figures, who help to raise worldwide awareness of the organisation’s ideals and activities. Through their work, they expand the public’s knowledge of how the United Nations helps to improve the lives of people everywhere.
