Pakistani citizens light candles in respect for Malala Yousufzai, the girl who was shot earlier this month for attending school. In Pakistan radical groups don’t believe woman deserve an education.

Photo courtesy Nathalie Bardou, AP

Andrew DuBois

Staff Writer

    Malala Yousufzai is known throughout Pakistan as the fourteen year old girl who fought for her education and spoke out against the Taliban. In Pakistan women are not typically allowed to go to school and receive an education.

    On her way out of school on October 9th the Pakistani Taliban attempted to kill Malala because she dared to speak out and seek an education. The good news in the situation is that Malala was air lifted to a hospital in England and is currently on her way to a full recovery.

    Malala may not be safe from further extreme attacks against her though. The Taliban has vowed to kill her if she returns to Pakistan. Malala’s family has no plans to run away from their home and will be returning to Pakistan early next month. Malala will be placed into high security.

    Malala’s father said about the situation, “I have seen doomsday and survived. Malala has been honored by the nation, by the world, by people of all classes of all creeds, and we are grateful for that.”

    Raza Rumi, the director of policy and programs at a Pakistani research organization said, “There is a strong demand for the Pakistani state to do something about this issue.” There is a growing pressure on the Pakistani government to make sure Malala stays safe.