Malala comes to Harrow High School

"Girls’ education is key to the future. Studies are clear — educating girls grows economies, reduces conflict and improves public health."

Malala, Nobel Prize Winner, Activist, Author

On 10th July 2024, Harrow High School was buzzing with excitement as it welcomed Malala Yousafzai. The Nobel Peace Prize winner and international education activist came to celebrate ‘Malala Day’ which this year, highlighted the plight of girls in Afghanistan, who are the only girls in the world banned from receiving an education.

Malala Yousafzai began her activism at age 11 when she anonymously blogged about life under the Taliban in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, particularly the ban on girls’ education. She soon began advocating publicly, giving speeches and interviews, and attracting international media attention and awards.

In October 2012, at the age of 15, Malala was the victim of an assassination attempt by the Taliban while travelling on the bus to school. She was taken to a hospital in Birmingham, England, where she fully recovered and became more determined to push for girls to have a chance to go to school. She continued her campaign and, as co-founder of Malala Fund, is building a global movement of support for girls’ education.

When Malala was 17 years old, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her work for education and equality. She is the youngest person ever to have received a Nobel Prize, the second Pakistani, and the first Pashtun to receive the Prize. Malala is also the youngest ever appointed United Nations Messenger of Peace. Malala graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics in 2020. She is the best-selling author of three books.

Harrow High School in North West London, has a diverse student body including a significant number of students who are of Afghani heritage, some of whom were evacuated or fled the country during the recent Taliban takeover in August 2022.

As a passionate advocate for education, Malala spoke about her work and efforts to encourage and ensure opportunities in developed and developing countries for young women to enter education.

Malala met in the school library with 30 girls and boys from across Harrow High School. Students watched video messages sent to them from girls in Afghanistan outlining the challenges they faced. The HHS students were struck by how ambitious the girls were and their sheer determination to access their fundamental right to an education.  The HHS students were deeply moved and commented on the fact they ‘take school for granted’ and that listening to the Afghan girls inspired them to ‘come into school and work hard and use this opportunity’. Students were involved in discussion with Malala about how educating girls was of global importance as a human right but also because of the huge knock-on benefits it has for health and future generations. HHS students then wrote letters of solidarity to girls in Afghanistan.

Before the Taliban’s return to power three years ago, “one in three women there were enrolled in university in Afghanistan”, Malala said.  “But today it is the only country in the world where women and girls are banned from pursuing an education.”

Malala called for joining forces to build a world where all children have access to 12 years of quality education, while leaders must be held accountable for their commitment to gender equality and education.  

Harrow High School students added their voice to Malala’s to make a global stand for all children everywhere to have a chance to go to school. 57 million children worldwide are still missing out on their right to a quality education.

Sally, aged 12, said “I couldn’t wait to meet Malala, as it was a whole new experience for me and a great way for our school to show our support for the girls denied an education. Hearing and reading about Malala and her bravery has made me even more inspired by her.”

Mohamed, aged 17, said “Every child deserves an education to enable them to aspire and excel in life and they can only achieve this if they get a chance or opportunity to go to school. I feel that it’s unfair and wrong that just because you are a girl that you should lose out on an education. It makes it next to impossible for them to fulfil their potential and become what they want to be in the future”.

“Being involved in something like this today has made me realise how lucky I am to go to school. It has inspired me to come to school everyday and to use my opportunity to learn”, said Muska (age 14).

Headteacher Paul Gamble said: “We were thrilled to welcome Malala to Harrow High School. It was a privilege to see Malala talking to the children about her life and advocacy for girls’ education. Our students were articulate and made insightful contributions during their discussions with Malala. Many had clearly researched the issue and felt passionate about it. It was so good to see them demonstrate their solidarity with girls in Afghanistan through the encouraging letters they wrote.”