5 memorable Malala quotes from the World Economic Forum 2018
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai is the inspiration that we all need in today’s time.
In a world where many women and girls struggle to get an education, she's a 20-year-old who's looked the Taliban in the eye and continued to persevere, advocating for the right to schooling.
The 20-year-old global education campaigner spoke eloquently at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, not long before Trump's arrival; the annual conference, which unites the world's business and political elite, also takes place this year in the shadow of the feminist #MeToo campaign that rattled Hollywood and spread across the globe in 2017.
Here are 5 important quotes from Yousafzai who is wise beyond her years.
On Trump:
When asked if she had any message for the US president, she said, “I get so disappointed to see that people in these high positions openly talk against women, do not accept women as equals, they harass women. It is just shocking to think that it is happening. I hope that women stand up and speak out against it."
About time people start using their privilege for good.
On collective responsibility:
Activism and advocacy can leave you feeling jaded and hopeless. Malala urges you to persist anyway; after all, everyone has a role to play.
She stated, "It's not one person's job to do this. I can't send all girls to school, it would be nearly impossible but what I can do is send as many as possible, what is in my potential, I will do that. Everyone has to play a role in this whether it's the media, NGOs, people in the business sphere or the government sector. It's a responsibility we all should realize we can participate in,"
Malala also observed, "I haven't met a single prime minister who wouldn't send their own children to school and university. But when it comes to the rest of the world, all children, they struggle a bit so you have to keep on reminding them."
On women realising they can conquer the world on their own:
“Earlier we wanted men to do something for us but that time has gone now. We won't ask men to change the world, we're going to do it ourselves. We're going to stand up for ourselves, we're going to raise our voices and we're going to change the world,” she said.
You tell 'em girl!
On feminism:
“Feminism is just an other word for equality...and no one will object to equality,” she shared.
Sadly, this is a fact that needs to be stated over and over again.
On why men need to be better allies:
Malala also highlighted the crucial need to educate young men on the issue of women's rights.
"When we talk about feminism and women's rights, we're actually addressing men. Men have a big role to play. We have to teach young boys how to be men. In order to become one, you have to recognise that all women and all those around you have equal rights and that you are part of this movement for equality," she said.
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