Campaigning for world leaders to act on climate change since she was 15 years old.
Malala was born in Pakistan, a country where girls usually have fewer options than boys. Her father, a teacher in a girls’ school in the village, wanted to make sure Malala had the same opportunities a boy would have.
When Malala was 8 years old, the Taliban took control of her village and shut her school. But Malala wasn’t going to let others control her destiny. Malala bravely spoke out publicly on girls’ rights to an education. Her first speech, called ‘How Dare the Taliban Take Away My Basic Right to Education,’ was publicised all over Pakistan and resulted in girls being allowed to return to school.
For many, Malala had changed their life for the better. But of course, not everyone agreed with Malala. One day, on the bus home from school, a masked gunman boarded the bus and shot Malala in the side of her head. She woke up 10 days later in a hospital in Birmingham, UK. Malala had been air lifted 3,815 miles from Pakistan to receive emergency medical treatment. She spent months in hospital undergoing surgeries and therapy. In that time, Malala decided that instead of accepting defeat, she was determined to continue her fight until every girl could go to school.
Malala established the Malala Fund to help achieve her goals. Through this Fund, Malala travels around the world meeting girls who have to fight for access to education because of poverty, wars, child marriage and gender discrimination. The Malala Fund invests in developing country educators and activists, like Malala’s father, and makes sure that leaders follow through on their promises to girls. Malala is a firm believer in speaking up when no one else will. She says, ‘When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.’
Campaigning for access to clean water for Canada’s indigenous communities since she was 8 years old.
Raising awareness of the effects of the Syrian civil war and calling for peace since she was 6 years old.
Challenging the representation of girls and women in society since she was 11 years old.
Running a marathon in 10 days to raise money for homeless people when he was 7 years old.
Fundraising for the farmers whose incomes have been affected by drought in Australia since he was 11 years old.
Inspiring girls to learn about and aspire to work in science and technology subjects since she was 16 years old.
Creating and growing a bank that helps children save money by recycling since he was 12 years old.
Designing technology to supply electricity and water without emitting greenhouse gases since he was 15 years old.
Campaigning for the banning of plastic bags in Bali since they were 10 and 12 years old.
Designing a solar powered ironing cart to reduce charcoal burning in India since she was 12 years old.
Petitioning for schools to give children reusable water bottles since he was 7 years old.
Campaigning for people and businesses to stop using single-use plastics since they were 10 and 12 years old.
Set up organisations supporting cancer patients, people in poverty, and promoting golf in young black girls, since she was 10 years old.
Saving the lives of hundreds of hedgehogs in the UK since they were 9 years old.
Campaigning to promote proper battery disposal and recycling since he was 10 years old.
Campaigning for people and businesses to stop using single-use plastics since they were 10 and 12 years old.
The world’s youngest sustainability advocate – working to make the world a better place since she was 3 years old.
Solving the problem of water contamination using science and technology since she was 11 years old.
