CURRENT EVENTBY ENEYA JENKINS

Education in Pakistan versus Cordoba

Cordoba, Spain was a center of learning in 756 AD.

Cordoba was a center of learning where women could attend university.

Today Pakistan is an Islamic country like Cordoba

Although Pakistan culture does not promote girls schooling.

Pakistani culture promotes women to stay home and do housework and childcare.

Cordoba 1,200 years ago, promoted women’s education more than Pakistan does today.

Education in Pakistan

Girls in Middle Eastern countries like Pakistan are not educated like us.

Keeping girls uneducated limits their independence.

Their culture is run by men who keep women suppressed.

Girls in Pakistan do not have opportunities we have in the United States.

Malala’s story is about changing girls rights through education.

Courage

Malala’ has been fighting for girls education in Pakistan since she was 12 years old.

In her town, Swat, only 1 in 5 girls went to school.

In 2009, the Taliban banned girls from going to school in Swat and Malala spoke out against them.

At 12, her family was forced to leave because the Taliban and Pakistani army fought in Swat.

Beheadings in Swat’s town center were so common that they called it “Slaughter Square”.

Her family returned to Swat and things improved for a while.

At 15, she was shot on October 12, 2012 by the Taliban on her way home from school.

Girls walk through a school that was destroyed by Taliban in 2009.

Malala’s Fight

The Taliban said they shot her for speaking out against them.

The Taliban was not known for shooting females and children.

Malala continued to speak for girl’s education.

Even without the Taliban, most girls would not get an education because of the Pakistani culture.

Malala’s voice is heard worldwide due to her story and courage.

Noble Peace Prize

At 17, she received the Noble Peace Prize.

A world re-known award for promoting world peace.

Malala’s words include:

“Let us pick up our books and pens because they are our most powerful weapons. One teacher, one child, one book, and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first.”

DATES

Interviews with Malala by reporters began in 2008.

Malala was shot in October 2011.

She received the Noble Peace Prize in 2014.

Cordoba thrived over a thousand years ago, yet Pakistan’s education for girls is still behind Cordoba’s.

IMPACT

Many Middle Eastern countries like Pakistan are impacted by their religion, Islam.

Malala’s fight promotes children’s rights and education in countries all over the world.

Hopefully her fight will help give children opportunities like we have in the United States.