Inspirational Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai wins Nobel Peace Prize

Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, who became a campaigner after being shot by the Taliban, has won the Nobel Peace Prize. She shares the prize with Kailash Satyarthi. The Nobel committee praised them “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education”. Malala was shot in the head and neck while returning home on a school bus in October 2012.

The Nobel Committee regards it as an important point for a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism.

Thorbjoern Jagland, head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee

She was attacked for speaking out against the Taliban over its interpretation of Islam, which limits girls’ access to education. The 17-year-old was flown to Birmingham for life-saving treatment and now lives in the city with her father. Her campaigning has seen her address the United Nations and meet President Obama to ask him to end drone strikes. Malala was also one of the front-runners for last year’s award.

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