The 9th October 2012 one shot, one bullet changed the world. Malala Yousafzai was shot on the left side of her forehead by a Taliban gunman. Her assassination was an organised attempt to silence her voice but little did he know that it gave way to thousands of others.
Malala grew up writing a blog for the BBC on her life under Taliban rule, her aim was to speak to those who couldn’t be heard. Her activism for women’s right to an education led her to appear publicly on television to advocate for female education. Soon though, her blogging identity was being revealed. Initially, Malala would write written notes , pass them on to a reporter to be posted under a pen-name, but now her family began receiving death threats via facebook and even letters started appearing in her letterbox. Speaking out Malala has said “it has been my duty to make sure that everyone has the right to an education and to be treated equally”, her profile rose even further when awarded the first National Youth Peace prize which was the day when the Taliban came together to organise Malala Yousafzai’s death which would take place in front of her friends on the bus coming home from school. While in power, the Taliban had closed girl’s schools and promulgated Islamic law. Pakistani politicians led by the president and Prime Minister condemned the shooting despite the attack sparking outrage among many Pakistanis who traveled to many cities to gather for anti-Taliban protests and held prayers for the young girl’s recovery. As Malala Yousafzai lay in an operation room though for days having the bullet removed, she was becoming known worldwide for being an ‘icon of courage’.
Nine months later, the international phenomenon had fully recovered and gave a speech on her 16th birthday at the U.N conference to call for “worldwide access to education”.
Chime for Change was just one of the many consequences of the shooting. C4C is a new global campaign backed by Malala to raise funds and awareness for women’s empowerment. The group focuses on three key areas : Education, Health and Justice. The campaign was founded by three of the most influential women across the global : Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Frida Giannini and Salma Hayek. Chime For Change announces projects in the making which are funded by regular citizens and through fundraising events such as the Concert held in Twickenham earlier this summer. Powered by Catapult, this ensures accountability and the option of choosing where the donations go. The Concert has funded many projects including 15,005 for Camp Smart ; a two week summer camp in Houston where girls are encouraged to participate in the fields of maths and science. 57,943 was also raised for the Model Street School in Pakistan, here parents have believed for decades that education for girls is a taboo.
Chime for Change and Mayala Yousafzai are serving a purpose, to strengthen the voices speaking out for girls and women around the world. There are currently 57 million children out of school in this world, 60% of them being female. “Today is the day for every woman who has raised her voice” (12.07.13 U.N conference, Yousafzai) well, why not make that today everyday?
www.chimeforchange.org