Malala Yousufzai Gathers More Support for Nobel Peace Prize Nomination
Young Pakistani Malala Yousufzai could soon be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize if the British government heeded calls for the fearless education advocate to be elevated among laureates of the prestigious award.
Recovering from near-death, Ms Yousufzai has inspired a growing movement bent to push for her inclusion in the list of nominees for the next round of Nobel Peace Prize, possibly joining the elite circle that includes U.S President Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi.
According to Reuters, a standing petition address to British Prime Minister David Cameron is circulating and has so far attracted 30,000 signatures in the United Kingdom, with similar initiatives also existing in Canada, France and Spain.
Lead petitioner Change.org is convinced that Ms Yousufzai, who the Taliban had targeted for assassination, deserves to be endorsed by Mr Cameron or other senior British government officials for consideration on the yearly award.
"Malala doesn't just represent one young woman, she speaks out for all those who are denied an education purely on the basis of their gender," the group statement was reported by Reuters as saying on Friday.
Ms Yousufzai rose to prominence on her insistence to access education, not only for herself but for all Pakistani girls.
She was, unfortunately, situated in a region in Pakistan, the Swat Valley, where the Taliban movement holds sway, forcibly dictating on residents and local officials their version of Islamic laws, part of which prohibits education for women beyond basic primary learning.
Unfazed, the young Malala soldiered on and attended schools secretly holding classes for young Pakistani girls, even openly speaking out of her belief that she and other kids need to learn more in defiance of threats for her safety.
On October 9, one Taliban gunman shot Ms Yousufzai, almost killing her and wounding others.
Officials opted to fly her to Britain to save her life and where she is presently recovering, shortly joined by family members.
Ms Yousufzai is expected to fully recover soon and her father had indicated that the young girl will likely pick up where she left off - gaining more knowledge and ensuring that other girls her age in Pakistan and around the world will enjoy same right minus the dangers she had endured.