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What's the best thing about being Malala's father? He tells us

What's the best thing about being Malala's father? He tells us

"I am one of the few fathers who is known by his daughter," says Ziauddin Yousufzai
15 Jun, 2016

With Father's Day right around the corner, Malala and her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai took the opportunity to send across an important message to fathers all around the world.

In a short video, the two talk feminism and education for girls.

"If feminism means equality for men and women, equality for sons and daughters, then yes, I am a feminist and I believe that every father should be a feminist and treat his sons and daughters equally," he said when asked whether he would label himself as a feminist.

He advised all fathers "not to clip the wings of their daughters, wives and sisters."

"They should let them free to be themselves. What they should and must do Is educate them, [because] when they educate them, they liberate them, they strengthen them and they honour them," Yousafzai added.

He mentioned that while his daughter has made him proud right from the very start, there was one moment that he will never forget -- the day she delivered her speech at the United Nations.

"One occasion which I can never forget is when you got your life back. By the grace of God you decided to speak again and when I saw you at the UN podium, you raised your voice and you raised your finger and said 'one voice, one child, one teacher can change the world,' that was the time I felt very proud of you," said Malala's father.

And what's the best thing about being Malala's father? The fact that "in patriarchal societies, fathers are known by their sons and I am one of the few fathers who is known by his daughter."

The video was made as part of the Father's Day celebrations of the Malala Fund. You can log on to malala.org/fathers to sign their Father's Day card.

Comments

Awais Jun 15, 2016 11:43am
In Pakistan, as per my observation, daughters are more loved by fathers than sons...
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Naveed Jun 15, 2016 12:02pm
We salute you for upbringing such a courageous child and role model for all girls.
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ahmad Jun 15, 2016 12:46pm
@Naveed Yes you are so right my friend, SO RIGHT
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Rohit Singh Jun 15, 2016 01:03pm
She is the best person evercome out of Pakistan
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ahmad Jun 15, 2016 01:09pm
FUTURE OF PAKISTAN OUR DEAREST MALALA
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Ali Jun 15, 2016 03:26pm
opportunism. but they are right women should be treated equally
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faisal Jun 15, 2016 05:42pm
Its all about training . Few days ago I saw movie my name is Malala loved it Allaha has blessed me with two daughters hope I will raise them like Malala father did.
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Khalid Jun 15, 2016 06:47pm
Sir, you and your daughter are among very few Pakistanis who give us hope.
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Others Jun 15, 2016 08:43pm
Kudos to this guy, Malala is what she is because of him.
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ABC Jun 15, 2016 08:48pm
@Awais Well I think rather than love, they are more protective about daughters. I am not saying that fathers don't love girl child but the point Malala's father wanted to make was - parents should make their daughters capable enough to handle difficult points in life, protective upbringing sounds sweet from distance but it makes girl dependent.
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DR.Shamir Baloch Jun 15, 2016 08:53pm
Ziauddin Yousafzai should rightly be pround of a gifted and bright daughter for her tremendous achivements. Good luck to her for the future.
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ripan Jun 15, 2016 10:09pm
a former pakistani i admire
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Mohammad Khan Jun 16, 2016 01:27am
Father's day is around the corner . It is a special day to celebrate the special bond that exists between the father and the children. Most fathers love their children but mr Ziauddin , being from a very conservative society, has nurtured Malala well above and beyond with love and incredible understanding. He saw in her tremendous potential and leadership in this young precocious daughter. Instead of stifling her he let her fly freely. That foresight and that leadership brought him and his people tremendous honor, albeit at a steep cost. For that reason i nominate mr Ziauddin Yousafzai as the father of the year.
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Agha Ata Jun 16, 2016 08:01am
They say: A son is son until he brings his wife, a daughter is a daughter all her life. One can see that the love between Malala and her father is really admirable.
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