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Politics, dupattas and marriage: Six takeaways from Malala's Vogue interview

Politics, dupattas and marriage: Six takeaways from Malala's Vogue interview

Underneath it all, she's an average 23-year-old who's as confused as the rest of us.
Updated 03 Jun, 2021

Making history is nothing new to Malala Yousafzai, the world's youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate. But her interview to British Vogue proved that beneath it all, Malala is just a young girl who is as confused about life and her future as you and I.

Here are some of the most interesting things we learnt from her interview.

Marriage might not be on the cards

Malala's views on marriage might comes as a surprise to some, but probably not. Like most young people, she's wary of the institution.

She spoke about how her friends were all finding partners but she wasn't sure what she wanted. "You know, on social media, everyone’s sharing their relationship stories, and you get worried…If you can trust someone or not, [and] how can you be sure.”

Malala’s parents had an “arranged love marriage” but she isn't sure if marriage is for her.

“I still don’t understand why people have to get married. If you want to have a person in your life, why do you have to sign marriage papers, why can’t it just be a partnership?”

Like most Pakistani mothers, hers is suitably horrified at her daughter's opinions. “My mum is like, 'Don’t you dare say anything like that! You have to get married, marriage is beautiful'," said Malala.

But while Malala was once quite anti-marriage, she has realised that she's still growing and as we grow, our opinions change. Of everything she said in her interview, this was one of the most relatable things, we feel, because most young people today do struggle with the idea of marriage. They're questioning ideas that have been drilled into their heads for years and at 23, Malala is at an age where those questions are at their peak.

No one has it all figured out, and it's comforting to know that someone who seems like she has everything together is as confused as us.

A future politician?

The answer to everything in Pakistan, it often seems, is to become a politician. For Malala, it isn't something she has rejected entirely.

“I do think before entering politics you should know what exactly you are there for, who you want to work with,” she said. “You know, all of the political parties that are there in Pakistan don’t have a clean history. Do you defend them, do you not defend them? Do you change the political party? Do you form your own political party? Imran Khan did that, and it took him over 30 years.”

Adjusting to college life

Another relatable moment in the interview was when Malala opened up about first going to college and feeling lost.

In a classic case of big fish in a small pond, she said at school in Pakistan she was the A* student but once she got to Oxford she realised she was just an average student. Instead of taking this to heart, Malala realised that college was where she would finally be able to be a kid. “I decided that if I got a good 2:1 I would be very happy. You know, there’s a saying: there are three things at Oxford, sleep, socialising and study, and you can’t have them all. Socialising was my one.”

Like most Pakistani kids who go to school out of their hometown, she realised for the first time that college brought with it a multitude of choices. She was able to stay up as late as she wanted, go shopping, order delivery or go hang out with her friends whenever she wanted.

"I was enjoying each and every moment because I had not seen that much before. I had never really been in the company of people my own age because I was recovering from the incident [the Taliban’s attempt on her life], and travelling around the world, publishing a book and doing a documentary, and so many things were happening. At university I finally got some time for myself.”

But it also made her realise something all students have to learn the hard way — too much socialising leads to plenty of assignments being completed the night before they're due.

What does the future hold?

"This is a question I have for myself every night,” Malala said when asked where she sees herself in 10 years. “Lying awake in bed for hours thinking, ‘What am I going to do next?’” It's a question many young people are asked and very few know how to answer.

But it was refreshing to see that even Malala is confused about the future.

“Where do I live next? Should I continue to live in the UK, or should I move to Pakistan, or another country? The second question is, who should I be living with? Should I live on my own? Should I live with my parents? I’m currently with my parents, and my parents love me, and Asian parents especially, they want their kids to be with them forever.”

Twitter activism isn't everything

One thing that Malala addressed in the interview was Twitter activism. There are lots of people who criticise her for not posting on Twitter when issues arise.

Her style is more about consensus than call-outs, according to Vogue. She prefers working with people rather than using social media to do your work for you. “Right now, we have associated activism with tweets. That needs to change, because Twitter is a completely different world,” she said.

And she's right. We often forget that just because someone says something on Twitter doesn't mean it's going to translate into action and the same goes for the reverse. Don't assume someone isn't helping just because they aren't posting about it on social media.

Carrying a dupatta with her head held high

Malala also discussed her ever present dupatta during the interview and said for her, it's about more than religion.

“It’s a cultural symbol for us Pashtuns, so it represents where I come from. And Muslim girls or Pashtun girls or Pakistani girls, when we follow our traditional dress, we’re considered to be oppressed, or voiceless, or living under patriarchy," she explained.

"I want to tell everyone that you can have your own voice within your culture, and you can have equality in your culture.”

This was just a short mention in the interview but it was powerful. Western feminism often views cultural or religious symbols, like covering your head, as oppressive and for someone to articulate the idea that adhering to your cultural norms isn't always oppression was great to read. Malala always sticks to her beliefs and wears a scarf on her head, whether it's trendy or not so for her to quietly give voice to something that many other women around the world want to say is extremely empowering.

Comments

Ghani K Jun 02, 2021 09:46pm
Finally she is a glamour girl - what is the next move ? Anybody 's guess.
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Captain Jun 02, 2021 10:00pm
@Ghani K May be play boy !
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Captain Jun 02, 2021 10:00pm
She was, is and would remain a controversial figure for times to come !
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Anon Jun 02, 2021 11:06pm
@ghani k @captain and what have you done with your lives?
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khan Jun 02, 2021 11:29pm
What a brave personality and really pride of Pakistan..representing the best of Pakistan.
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Saleem Chandasir Jun 02, 2021 11:46pm
She will join PTI
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Yaqoot Mir Jun 03, 2021 12:34am
Living together without marriage? Looks like malalala, might be becoming a westerner in entirety.
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Jondon Jun 03, 2021 01:25am
Did she say its OK to have relationships outside marriage? What agenda is she peddling?
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Changez Khan Jun 03, 2021 02:23am
It's her life, she has every right to run her life her way not what people want so people should stay off her back.
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Emu Jun 03, 2021 03:23am
Nothing against her but she is doing a great job to tell the whole world that people in Pakistan are against girls getting education.
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Syed H Jun 03, 2021 04:24am
Malala should have learned by now that there are no guarantees in life or of life. Same goes for marriage, there are no manuals for successful marriage, both partners have to work on it constantly to turn it into a happy and successful bond. Regarding politics; remember the saying, “ be cautious of Greeks bearing gifts”
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Qaiser Jun 03, 2021 06:12am
No comments
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Jawaid kamal Jun 03, 2021 07:01am
She always fails to mention that her ascent is largely due open western all inclusive democracy Despite her all talk she cannot dare to return to her home country .
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Taimur Badshah Jun 03, 2021 07:28am
Malala statement is unethical and so strongly rejected.
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Q.Jutt Jun 03, 2021 07:56am
She is a soft hearted girl but she needs to see beyond their patrons
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Firangi Jun 03, 2021 08:16am
At least no one will shoot at her in UK
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Ibrahim Jun 03, 2021 08:16am
@Syed H - yes. What did you learn from Pakistan marriage
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Asghar Jun 03, 2021 08:57am
@Ghani K soon prime minister of pakistan
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Nick, NY Jun 03, 2021 09:09am
Welcome to the Hollywood!
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Amir Shah Jun 03, 2021 09:57am
Well done Malala. There is no doubt Malala has been groomed to enter Pakistani politics at the right time, western investment in her is not for free.
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Fazal Karim Jun 03, 2021 11:03am
She should concentrate on economics, law and psychology to be future leader of Pakistan.
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Arshad Jun 03, 2021 11:12am
She is 100% right.
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ana Jun 03, 2021 11:21am
@Yaqoot Mir What's wrong? It's her choice.
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ana Jun 03, 2021 11:24am
@Jondon What agenda are you peddling? To blindly marry without knowing each other?
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Ann Jun 03, 2021 11:25am
More power to you Malala! And please don't come back to Pakistan, as most Pakistanis are of the view that although your life was in peril here for getting education, you should not be endorsing rights of education for every child but should have just kept quiet and stayed home and praised Pakistan.
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Ann Jun 03, 2021 11:28am
Grown men with zero accomplishments getting triggered by Malala is disgusting. Kindly post your own accomplishments before spewing your frustrated opinions.
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Chrís Dăn Jun 03, 2021 11:41am
@Anon leading their below average lives without any purpose n life.
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Chrís Dăn Jun 03, 2021 11:43am
@Syed H the proverb is about Tyrks and not about Greeks. Please mercy.
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Chrís Dăn Jun 03, 2021 11:45am
@Emu isn't it a truth and should not the civilized world help our girls? Why not? You wish our suppressed girls always suppressed?why?
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AH Jun 03, 2021 12:36pm
@Ann What has she exactly achieved
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KM Jun 03, 2021 12:52pm
@Ghani K Future PM under preparation
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AJ Jun 03, 2021 01:05pm
Good to know that she has embraced the 'celebrity life' that she wanted from the onset. Apart from the superficial stuff, this was the only substantive statement in her interview: 'And Muslim girls or Pashtun girls or Pakistani girls, when we follow our traditional dress, we’re considered to be oppressed, or voiceless, or living under patriarchy'
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TB Jun 03, 2021 01:09pm
Twitter activism is obviously no substitute for actual actions but people were not hurt because she couldnt do something for Gaza they were hurt because she gave a statement which was purposefully convenient and failed to put the blame where it was due just like Greta Thunberg whereas both are very fierce and critical when it comes to promoting their own agenda.Malala is not POTUS or secretary general that people were expecting action, she is someone who whether she likes it or not has become a symbol of the so called oppression faced by girls in the Islamic world.Hence her views on political matters in the Islamic world matter and she had to call out un called for aggression of the state of Israel the same way she calls out Islamic millitant outfits.Failing to sympathize with the Palestinians / putting the blame on Israel has only further alienated her from her people who now see her only as a western mouthpiece.That is something no amount of Vogue interviews is going to change.
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Mohib Jun 03, 2021 02:15pm
She wants a partnership more than a marriage? What is she trying to portray? I guess she wants more dollars from her donors. this is not a Pakistani nor an Islamic approach. Clearly she is working on foreign agenda. Will any sane Muslim Pakistani allow partnership rather than marriage?
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Bi ha Jun 03, 2021 02:47pm
@AH Absolutely..nothing really.. and what's her take on Gaza.. surely she should say something about that..rather than talk about McDonald's and marriage...waste .
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Jahanara Jun 03, 2021 03:25pm
She is promoting the western agenda. She is a lady with zero intelligence . What is her contribution? Why western media is spending fortune on her? Because they have hired her to work on her agenda. She is just a puppet controlled by big bosses. She has earned a fortune by slandering Pakistan. Few Pakistani feel that by maligning Pakistan on every possible platform she has done a great service.
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ali Jun 03, 2021 03:43pm
Can't understand why her countrymen hold a grudge against her instead of being proud o her achievements. Every man should love to have a daughter or sister as capable and bright as her. Look at the inferno she came from and what she has achieved today; remarkable.
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Chrís Dăn Jun 03, 2021 03:53pm
@TB for patriots,honour killings in Pakistan are more important.
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Mazhar Zubairi Jun 03, 2021 06:08pm
Glorifying and propagating this sell out clear proof that we are becoming a subservient nation and big bosses not only controlling what we read and eat but who is going to be our leader. She is promoting the western secular agenda. She is a lady with no intelligence, ethics, self respect and a puppet controlled by secularist anti-faith bosses. What is her contribution? Why western and local media presenting her what she is not. Because they have hired her to work on their agenda. She has earned a fortune by slandering Pakistan a faith based country .
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Feroze Khan Jun 03, 2021 07:23pm
@Captain Controversial? So is every political, civil, military and even the scholars are. Controversial. So what is new?
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Chrís Dăn Jun 04, 2021 01:46am
@TB I am very proud of Malala as she has brought a great name to Pakistan.
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tuk Jun 04, 2021 02:14am
At her age and even till much older our current PM also not only believed in partnerships but also practiced those.
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Glen D'Abreo Jun 04, 2021 03:14am
@ali as far as I can see it the society in Pakistan is now pull anyone down if they are successful, add the old baseless fact she is a product of the West trying to make Pakistan look bad.
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Simba Jun 04, 2021 06:30am
Wonder not why this woman cannot live safely in Pakistan
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Asim Jun 04, 2021 08:43am
@Captain what a disgusting masoginitic thing to say.
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Chrís Dăn Jun 04, 2021 12:59pm
@Simba because she is honest and bold and opposes extremists. How can she be welcomed by Pakistanis?
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Fahad Mudassar Hameed Jun 04, 2021 02:42pm
Under Western Agenda or under influence of west , she is trying to undermine Islamic values of having a family and chastity . Further she agrees that having headcover is a cultural norm which as per her is more than being religious. Clap , Clap, Clap. Her father must be now proud of her !!
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Sameer Khan Jun 04, 2021 04:55pm
@ana I think his agenda is to defy evolution in the name of tradition, one of many classic ways of thought control.
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Sameer Khan Jun 04, 2021 04:58pm
@Ann 100% right. Sitting on their living room couch, ordering the women in their life around, feeling threatened by any faint notion of a world that has any sort of equality.
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SQ Jun 04, 2021 05:12pm
Are these her *controversial* comments on marriage over which Pakistanis are loosing their sleep? Seriously!
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Gig Jun 04, 2021 07:50pm
So children without marriage are also Ok malala?
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ahmed Jun 05, 2021 10:40am
And why is she famous again?
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Kamran Jun 05, 2021 02:19pm
I am so proud of her. You Malala bashers, get a life and learn the meaning of "partnership". Where does it say it means what you are saying. It could very well be plutonic relationship, a friendship, a coordination for a great cause... But your minds are in gutter anyway so keep bashing and she will continue achieving and standing on higher grounds. BTW, if she becomes the PM of Pak that will be the best things happens to Pakistan. Even if that happens with the support of the West. What do you think how all previous PMs got the post or generals for that matter. Go Malala.
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Haseeb Jun 06, 2021 04:23am
@Captain she can do anything she likes.
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Haseeb Jun 06, 2021 04:23am
@Captain she can do anything she likes.
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Haseeb Jun 06, 2021 04:24am
@Captain She is the youngest Nobel prize winner in history. She’s raised millions of dollars for women’s education and survived a cowardly attack on her life by a bunch of illiterate animals called the Taliban. Long live Malala the pride of Pakistan. People just like making controversies because they can’t accept that Malala is a million times better person than them.
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Puckstan Jun 06, 2021 03:21pm
@Ghani K no she is not. She is a brave girl. And she is a girl with sense of freedom
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FARIDA RAHMAN Jun 06, 2021 10:07pm
The best part is that no one in UK will jump to shoot her for her novel ideas about marriage/ relationship.
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Dr Waseema S Bokhari Jun 09, 2021 02:46pm
I'm deeply saddened by the controversy created by Vogue's article about Malala's earnest questioning of the contemporary institution of marriage. She is not talking sbout an ideal marriage prescribed in Islam. She is just a young woman growing up in a culture where such thoughts are allowed to be discussed. The insensitivity of the western media towards the beliefs and values of Muslims is at play again but it is even more sad that many Muslims have taken up the bait and are directing their anger at a beloved daughter instead of answering her query with a lot of love and allowing her to grow.
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