WEBVTT 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:13.000 Thank you. 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:17.000 Bismillah Er Rahman Er Rahman Er Rahim 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:27.000 In the name of God,the most beneficent, the most merciful. 00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:35.000 honourable UN secretary general Mr Ban Ki-moon, 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:41.000 respected president general assembly Vuk Jeremic, 00:00:41.000 --> 00:00:47.000 honourable UN envoy for global education Mr Gordon Brown, 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:57.000 respected elders and my dear brothers and sisters, (....) thank you. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:06.000 Today, it is an honour for me to be speaking again after a long time. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:12.000 Being here with such honourable people is a great moment in my life. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:23.000 And it is honor for me today I'm wearing a shawl of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:28.000 I don't know where to begin my speech. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:33.000 I don't know what people would be expecting me to say. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:35.000 But first of all, 00:01:35.000 --> 00:01:42.000 thank you to God for whom we all are equal 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:52.000 and thank you to every person who has prayed for my fast recovery and a new life. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:59.000 I cannot believe how much love people have shown me. 00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:05.000 I have received thousands of good wish cards and gifts from all over the world. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:09.000 Thank you to all of them. 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:15.000 Thank you to the children whose innocent words encouraged me. 00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:22.000 Thank you to my elders whose prayers strengthened me. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:26.000 I would like to thank my nurses, doctors 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:29.000 and the staff of the hospitals in Pakistan 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:34.000 and the UK and the UAE government 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:39.000 who have helped me to get better and recover my strength. 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:47.000 I fully support Mr. Ban Ki-moon the secretary general in his global education first initiative 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:50.000 and the work of the UN special envoy 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:53.000 Mr. Gordon Brown. 00:02:53.000 --> 00:02:58.000 and respected president general assembly Vuk Jeremic. 00:02:58.000 --> 00:03:03.000 And I thank all of them for the leadership they continue to give. 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:10.000 They continue to inspire all of us to action. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:14.000 Dear brothers and sisters, 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:18.000 Do remember one thing. 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:23.000 Malala day is not my day. 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:28.000 Today is the day of every woman, 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:39.000 every boy and every girl who have raised their voice for their rights. 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:43.000 There are hundreds of human rights activists 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:49.000 and social workers who are not only speaking for their rights, 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:58.000 but who are struggling to achieve their goals of peace, education, and equality. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:04.000 Thousands of people have been killed by the terrorists and millions have been injured. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:09.000 I'm just one of them. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:12.000 So here I stand 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:17.000 So here I stand one girl among many. 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:27.000 I speak, not for myself, but for those without voice can be heard. 00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:33.000 Those who have fought for their rights. 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:37.000 Their right to live in peace. 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:42.000 Their right to be treated with dignity. 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:46.000 Their right to equality of opportunity. 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:51.000 Their right to be educated. 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:57.000 Dear Friends, on the 9th of October 2012, 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:03.000 the Taliban shot me on the left side of my forehead. 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:07.000 They shot my friends, too. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:13.000 They thought that the bullets would silence us. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:17.000 But they failed. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:22.000 Out of that silence came, thousands of voices. 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:28.000 The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions. 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:32.000 But, nothing changed in my life except this. 00:05:32.000 --> 00:05:37.000 Weakness, fear, and hopelessness died. 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:58.000 Strength, power and courage was born. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:01.000 I am the same Malala. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:06.000 My ambitions are the same. My hopes are the same. 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:09.000 and my dreams are the same. 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:14.000 Dear sisters and brothers, 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:17.000 I'm not against anyone. 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:25.000 Neither am I here to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban, or any other terrorists group. 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:41.000 I am here to speak up for the right of education of every child. 00:06:41.000 --> 00:06:48.000 I want education for the sons and the daughters of the Taliban and all the terrorists and extremists. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:52.000 I do not even hate the Talib who shot me. 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:57.000 Even if there is a gun in my hand and he stands in front of me. 00:06:57.000 --> 00:07:00.000 I would not shoot him. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:05.000 This is the compassion that I have learnt from Muhammad, the prophet of mercy, 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:09.000 and Jesus christ, and Lord Buddha. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:14.000 This is the legacy of change that I have inherited from Martin Luther King, 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:27.000 Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:36.000 This is the philosophy of non-violence that I have learnt from Gandhi, Bacha Khan, and Mother Teresa. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:52.000 And this is the forgiveness that I have learnt from my father and from my mother. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:08:01.000 This is what my soul is telling me, be peaceful and love everyone. 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:05.000 Dear sisters and brothers, 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:13.000 we realize the importance of light when we see darkness. 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:19.000 We realize the importance of our voice when we are silenced. 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:25.000 In the same way, when we were in Swat, the north of Pakistan, 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:31.000 we realized the importance of pens and books when we saw the guns. 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:38.000 The wise saying, “The pen is mightier than sword" was true. 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:45.000 The extremists were and they are afraid of books and pens. 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:52.000 The power of education, the power of education frightens them. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:55.000 They are afraid of women. 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:59.000 The power of the voice of women frightens them. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:07.000 And that is why they killed 14 innocent students in the recent attack in Quetta. 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:14.000 And that is why they killed female teachers and polio workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:17.000 That is why they are blasting schools every day. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:28.000 Because they were and they are afraid of change, afraid of the equality that we will bring into our society. 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:36.000 I remember that there was a boy in our school who was asked by a journalist, 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:40.000 “Why are the Taliban against education?" 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:43.000 He answered very simply. 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:47.000 By pointing to his book he said, 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:53.000 “A Talib doesn't know what is written inside this book." 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:58.000 They think that God is a tiny, little conservative being 00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:03.000 who send girls to the hell just because of going to school. 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:22.000 The terrorists are misusing the name of Islam and Pashtun society for their own personal benefits. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:26.000 Pakistan is a peace-loving democratic country. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:30.000 Pashtuns want education for their daughters and sons. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:35.000 And Islam is a religion of peace, humanity and brotherhood. 00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:43.000 Islam says it's not only each child's right to get education, rather it is their duty and responsibility. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:46.000 Honourable secretary general, 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:50.000 peace is necessary for education. 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:55.000 In many parts of the world especially Pakistan and Afghanistan, 00:10:55.000 --> 00:11:01.000 terrorism, wars, and conflicts stop children to go to their schools. 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:05.000 We are really tired of these wars. 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:10.000 Women and children are suffering in many ways, 00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:14.000 in many parts of the world. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:23.000 In India, innocent and poor children are victims of child labour. 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:27.000 Many schools have been destroyed in Nigeria. 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:35.000 People in Afghanistan have been affected by the hurdles of extremism for decades. 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:44.000 Young girls have to do domestic child labour and are forced to get married at early age. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:53.000 Poverty, ignorance, injustice, racism and the deprivation of basic rights 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:58.000 are the main problems faced by both men and women. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:05.000 Dear fellows, today I am focusing on women's rights and girls' education 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:09.000 because they are suffering the most. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:15.000 There was a time when women social activists asked men to stand up for their rights. 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:33.000 This time, we will do it by ourselves. 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:38.000 I am not telling men to step away from speaking for women's rights. 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:45.000 Rather, I am focusing on women to be independent to fight for themselves. 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:51.000 So dear sisters and brothers, now it's time to speak up. 00:12:51.000 --> 00:13:03.000 So today, we call upon the world leaders to change their strategic policies in favour of peace and prosperity. 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:12.000 We call upon the world leaders that all the peace deals must protect women's and children's rights. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:28.000 A deal that goes against the rights of women is unacceptable. 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:45.000 We call upon all governments to ensure free compulsory education all over the world for every child. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:51.000 We call upon all governments to fight against terrorism and violence, 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:56.000 to protect children from brutality and harm. 00:13:56.000 --> 00:14:02.000 We call upon the developed nations to support the expansion of educational opportunities 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:06.000 for girls in the developing world. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:12.000 We call upon all the communities to be tolerant 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:21.000 to reject prejudice based on caste, creed, sect, color, religion, or gender. 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:28.000 To ensure freedom and equality for women so that they can flourish. 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:36.000 We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:41.000 We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave. 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:49.000 to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:15:02.000 Dear brothers and sisters, we want schools and education for every child's bright future. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:10.000 We will continue our journey to our destination of peace and education. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:13.000 No one can stop us. 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:22.000 We will speak up for our rights and we will bring change through our voice. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:29.000 We believe in the power and the strength of our words. 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:33.000 Our words can change the whole world. 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:42.000 Because we are all together, united for the cause of education. 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:52.000 And if we want to achieve our goal, then let us empower ourselves with the weapon of knowledge 00:15:52.000 --> 00:16:00.000 and let us shield ourselves with unity and togetherness. 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:03.000 Dear brothers and sisters, 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:09.000 we must not forget that millions of people are suffering from poverty, 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:14.000 injustice, and ignorance. 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:21.000 We must not forget that millions of children are out of their schools. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:30.000 We must not forget that our sisters and brothers are waiting for a bright peaceful future. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:32.000 So let us wage, 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:40.000 So let us wage a global struggle against illiteracy, poverty, and terrorism. 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:46.000 Let us pick up, let us pick up our books and our pens. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:50.000 They are our most powerful weapons. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:17:01.000 One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:05.000 Education is the only solution. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:08.000 Education First. 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:12.000 Thank you.