‘I speak not for myself but for those without voice…those who have fought for their rights…their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to equality or opportunity, their right to be educated.’ (Yousafzai, 2015)
This selfless quote was spoken by none other than Malala Yousafzai. The now internationally renowned name that advocates voiceless women across the globe. But only few know about the true effort this sensational young woman has presented. Her home, Pakistan, remains with the struggles faced by developing countries. Several issues arise daily. One in particular that hits the hearts of women across the globe is the lack of education in young women. Malala Yousafzai has taken it a step further. Herself, her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, and a team of skilled workers have initiated the Malala Fund. The Malala Fund is a beautiful organization that not only funds global struggles but reflects that of the catholic social teachings. Human dignity, peace and reconciliation, and community and participation are three beaming stars shining through this organization (Catholic Social Teaching, 2015). In 2000, the United Nations gathered, they produced eight goals in which they hoped to achieve by 2015. Malala Yousafzai’s work reflects two in particular. They are achieving universal primary education and promoting gender equality and empowering women (United Nations, 2015). This organization is glowing with hope for those less fortunate and most definitely reflects the catholic social teachings and fulfilment of the millennium development girls to a great extent.
Throughout the recent history of Pakistan, there have been many ups and downs. After Afghanistan’s civil war, a flow of refugees sought refuge in Pakistan. Not only this, but also the reign of the Taliban crossed borders (Brunner, B, 2015). The Taliban have a publicized reputation and their infamy is well known. Events including the death of 14 civilians (Rasmussen, 2015) and bombing schools (World Children’s Prize, 2015) do not go down well in the public’s eye. It is thought that the Taliban is a main cause of the falling statistics in regards to girls’ education. There is over 163 thousand schools in Pakistan, only 40 thousand of which allow girls. This information makes the fact that only 26% girls in Pakistan are literate incredibly believable (Latif, 2015). The Malala Fund’s top goal is that of adolescent girls under the threat of the Taliban in Pakistan (Malala Fund, 2015). It is thought that this stems from Malala Yousafzai’s experience.
Firstly, the catholic social teaching of human dignity is evident throughout the Malala Fund. This teaching is the belief that ‘as human beings we are created in the image and likeness of God so therefore we have an inherent worth and distinction’ (Catholic Social Teachings, 2015). A key attribute of this organization is a feminist movement. A quote from Malala Yousafzai herself, ‘We should all consider each other as human beings, and we should respect each other.’ Due to the discrimination faced in Pakistan, it is evident that this organization is attempting to redefine the social standard enforced by the Taliban. The catholic social teaching is fulfilled through the work not only exercised in Pakistan but internationally. Other issues include: Nigerian girls kidnapped under the threat of Boko Haram, Syrian girls in refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon, adolescent girls affected by the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone, girls in Kenya learning technology skills and advocating girls’ education campaigns around the world (Malala Fund, 2015). These actions fulfil the teaching to an incredible extent and are changing the way we live.
Secondly, the teaching of peace and reconciliation is reflected through not only Malala’s words but the effort put forward by the organization. ‘There should be no discrimination against languages people speak, skin color or religion,’ is a beautiful quote. The teaching itself is that ‘peace is central to the gospel and represents a challenge to many contemporary attitudes and assumptions’ (Catholic Social Teachings, 2015). When visiting the Malala Fund website, entwined in its intricate design are the motives of the organization. Personally, it is thought that education brings about peace. Knowledge is power and ignorance is dangerous. The Malala Fund strengthens her practices by advocating the calls of other girls’ education and calling on world leaders to contribute more (Malala Fund, 2015). In this example the promotion of education is fulfilling the teaching of peace and reconciliation to a great extent.
Thirdly, community and participation is the teaching that all members of the community have a duty to achieve a common good and all members have the right to enjoy the benefits reciprocated from the actions. (Catholic Social Teachings, 2015). The Malala Fund contributes to the growth of communities as a whole by investing in local and national non-profit organizations in which deliver quality secondary education for girls. (Malala Fund, 2015). This is enhancing equality in communities as the female base often contributes equally, if not more than the males. It is important females are offered the same opportunities as males. If this does not occur, it can result in the backtrack of society as a whole.
This selfless quote was spoken by none other than Malala Yousafzai. The now internationally renowned name that advocates voiceless women across the globe. But only few know about the true effort this sensational young woman has presented. Her home, Pakistan, remains with the struggles faced by developing countries. Several issues arise daily. One in particular that hits the hearts of women across the globe is the lack of education in young women. Malala Yousafzai has taken it a step further. Herself, her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, and a team of skilled workers have initiated the Malala Fund. The Malala Fund is a beautiful organization that not only funds global struggles but reflects that of the catholic social teachings. Human dignity, peace and reconciliation, and community and participation are three beaming stars shining through this organization (Catholic Social Teaching, 2015). In 2000, the United Nations gathered, they produced eight goals in which they hoped to achieve by 2015. Malala Yousafzai’s work reflects two in particular. They are achieving universal primary education and promoting gender equality and empowering women (United Nations, 2015). This organization is glowing with hope for those less fortunate and most definitely reflects the catholic social teachings and fulfilment of the millennium development girls to a great extent.
Throughout the recent history of Pakistan, there have been many ups and downs. After Afghanistan’s civil war, a flow of refugees sought refuge in Pakistan. Not only this, but also the reign of the Taliban crossed borders (Brunner, B, 2015). The Taliban have a publicized reputation and their infamy is well known. Events including the death of 14 civilians (Rasmussen, 2015) and bombing schools (World Children’s Prize, 2015) do not go down well in the public’s eye. It is thought that the Taliban is a main cause of the falling statistics in regards to girls’ education. There is over 163 thousand schools in Pakistan, only 40 thousand of which allow girls. This information makes the fact that only 26% girls in Pakistan are literate incredibly believable (Latif, 2015). The Malala Fund’s top goal is that of adolescent girls under the threat of the Taliban in Pakistan (Malala Fund, 2015). It is thought that this stems from Malala Yousafzai’s experience.
Firstly, the catholic social teaching of human dignity is evident throughout the Malala Fund. This teaching is the belief that ‘as human beings we are created in the image and likeness of God so therefore we have an inherent worth and distinction’ (Catholic Social Teachings, 2015). A key attribute of this organization is a feminist movement. A quote from Malala Yousafzai herself, ‘We should all consider each other as human beings, and we should respect each other.’ Due to the discrimination faced in Pakistan, it is evident that this organization is attempting to redefine the social standard enforced by the Taliban. The catholic social teaching is fulfilled through the work not only exercised in Pakistan but internationally. Other issues include: Nigerian girls kidnapped under the threat of Boko Haram, Syrian girls in refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon, adolescent girls affected by the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone, girls in Kenya learning technology skills and advocating girls’ education campaigns around the world (Malala Fund, 2015). These actions fulfil the teaching to an incredible extent and are changing the way we live.
Secondly, the teaching of peace and reconciliation is reflected through not only Malala’s words but the effort put forward by the organization. ‘There should be no discrimination against languages people speak, skin color or religion,’ is a beautiful quote. The teaching itself is that ‘peace is central to the gospel and represents a challenge to many contemporary attitudes and assumptions’ (Catholic Social Teachings, 2015). When visiting the Malala Fund website, entwined in its intricate design are the motives of the organization. Personally, it is thought that education brings about peace. Knowledge is power and ignorance is dangerous. The Malala Fund strengthens her practices by advocating the calls of other girls’ education and calling on world leaders to contribute more (Malala Fund, 2015). In this example the promotion of education is fulfilling the teaching of peace and reconciliation to a great extent.
Thirdly, community and participation is the teaching that all members of the community have a duty to achieve a common good and all members have the right to enjoy the benefits reciprocated from the actions. (Catholic Social Teachings, 2015). The Malala Fund contributes to the growth of communities as a whole by investing in local and national non-profit organizations in which deliver quality secondary education for girls. (Malala Fund, 2015). This is enhancing equality in communities as the female base often contributes equally, if not more than the males. It is important females are offered the same opportunities as males. If this does not occur, it can result in the backtrack of society as a whole.