Every year on July 12th, the world celebrates Malala Day in honor of Nobel Peace Prize recipient Malala Yousafzai. 

History of the day

Malala Yousafzai was born in Mingora, Pakistan, on July 12th, 1997.

In 2007 the Taliban took over the city in which she lived and banned girls from attending school. As young as she was, she demonstrated fierce bravery by standing up to the Taliban. 

On the morning of October 9th, 2012, gunmen from the Taliban shot Malala Yousafzai in the head. She was just 15 years old at the time. After four days in a military hospital, doctors transferred her to an ICU in Birmingham, England. After multiple surgeries and weeks of rehabilitative therapy later, she began attending school in Birmingham.

World Malala Day 2023 Theme:

• The theme for World Malala Day 2023 is inspired by the book "I Am Malala", which focuses on the influence of celebrities as heroes and role models for social progress.

There is significance behind the July 12 date and Malala Day. It’s not only her birthday, but it’s also this date in 2013 that she spoke at the UN to call for worldwide access to education. During her UN address, she stated, “Malala Day is not my day. Today is the day of every woman, every boy, and every girl who have raised their voice for their rights.”