The youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Pakistan’s Malala Yousafzai recently celebrated her 26th birthday. Taking to Twitter, the activist shared a photo with ‘her’ girls in Nigeria, where she celebrated her big day while spreading awareness about their right to education. Malala also addressed the United Nations on the same day.
“Today I’m celebrating my birthday with the girls in Nigeria, a tradition I started 10 years ago,” she wrote. In a speech to the United Nations in Nigeria, Malala shared the stories of some of the young women she has met over the years who have earned university degrees and even started working.
Today I’m in Nigeria celebrating my birthday with girls, a tradition I started 10 years ago. 🎂 @MalalaFund pic.twitter.com/XaLZSyFFZ8
— Malala Yousafzai (@Malala) July 12, 2023
“We should celebrate the girl who goes to university, gets a job, chooses when she gets married. But we shouldn’t fool ourselves into thinking we’ve made enough progress,” she said. “I want to cheer on the people who have made it despite the challenges,” he said. But my heart goes out to those we failed. Every young woman like me has friends we’ve seen left behind – whose governments, communities and families have held them back.
Malala’s husband and her family also congratulated her on social media. Sharing a photo with his better half, Aseer Malik wrote, “Happy Birthday Malala. You don’t need any reminders of how amazing you are. But for what it’s worth you’re the best partner. is what I could ever hope for.”
Happy Birthday Malala. You don’t need any reminders of how amazing you are.
— Asser Malik (@MalikAsser) July 12, 2023
But for what it’s worth you are the best partner I could have ever hoped for. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/UreAmGlaI1
Her father Ziauddin Yousafzai also wished Malala on her birthday. Sharing pictures of the 26-year-old with himself and his mother, Ziauddin shared, “Happy birthday Johnny Min! We love you so much.”
Happy birthday Jaani Mun, @Malala !
— Ziauddin Yousafzai (@ZiauddinY) July 12, 2023
We love you so much.❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/OciKDNPnxr
Indian icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas also celebrated the education advocate’s birthday. “Happy birthday, Malala!” The former Miss World wrote while sharing a picture of the two together. Priyanka added, “May you always be blessed with the best.”
In her powerful speech at the United Nations in 2013, 16-year-old Malala famously declared that “one child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world.” His youthful optimism has since faded.
“I will tell you today that I did not know at that time. A child, despite the best resources and motivation, a child cannot change the world. Neither can a president or a prime minister,” he said. “A teacher, an activist, a parent – no one can change the world on their own. The truth is that change can start with just one person.
