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Pakistani teen inspires others to fight for education

By Julie Hays, CNN
October 15, 2012 -- Updated 1734 GMT (0134 HKT)
Pakistani Christians attend a prayer service for the recovery of teen activist Malala Yousufzai in Lahore on Sunday, November 11. Pakistan celebrated Malala Day on Saturday as part of a global day of support for the teenager shot by the Taliban. Pakistani Christians attend a prayer service for the recovery of teen activist Malala Yousufzai in Lahore on Sunday, November 11. Pakistan celebrated Malala Day on Saturday as part of a global day of support for the teenager shot by the Taliban.
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Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
=Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
Supporters rally behind Malala
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STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Malala Yousufzai is a 14-year-old Pakistani activist fighting for the right of girls to go to school
  • Yousufzai was shot in the head by the Taliban for blogging against them
  • Nonproft organizations are working in Pakistan to help girls gain access to education
  • Sign the "I Am Malala" petition or submit an iReport to show your support for Yousufzai

(CNN) -- "I have rights. I have the right of education," Malala Yousufzai boldly asserted during an interview with CNN last year.

Now the 14-year-old girl from Pakistan is slowly recovering after being shot in the head by the Taliban for blogging against them and defending the right of girls to go to school.

Her plight has inspired people far beyond her home in the Taliban-heavy Swat Valley. Large crowds are rallying around the world to show support for Yousufzai and her cause.

Before the attack, Yousufzai was in the process of starting a charity, the Malala Education Development Organization, to promote female education in northern Pakistan. Other organizations are also working in the region to turn her dream into a reality for all girls in Pakistan.

UNICEF condemned the assault, calling Yousufzai a "courageous voice" who speaks for millions of girls "desperate to receive and education." To make a donation to UNICEF's Stand with Malala campaign and support education programs in Pakistan, visit the organization's website.

The Citizens Foundation has worked to improve education in Pakistan since 1995 and started 830 schools, according to the organization's website. The group says it encourages girls to enroll in its schools and works to ensure that approximately half of its students are female. Go online to make a donation.

Developments in Literacy also operates schools and provides teacher training in Pakistan. The organization says that more than 17,000 students are enrolled in its schools, approximately 68% of them girls, according to its website. To make a donation in honor of Yousufzai, visit the group's website. Be sure to write "Malala" in the notes.

"I Am Malala" is an online petition honoring Yousufzai and calling for Pakistan and countries worldwide to ensure all children have access to the education. The initiative was launched by the Office of the U.N. Special Envoy for Global Education. To sign the petition, visit the website.

You can also share your story and promote girls' education on CNN iReport. Girls + Education = #BasicMath is spreading the message that educating girls in developing nations can change the world.

Learn more about how you can help at CNN Impact Your World

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Part of complete coverage on
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The teen blogger simply sought to get an education. But she became a symbol of defiance against militants, empowering young women worldwide.
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Hundreds of messages from around the world were received by CNN for Malala Yousufzai, the Pakistani teen activist attacked by the Taliban.
January 30, 2013 -- Updated 2009 GMT (0409 HKT)
Doctors fought to save her life, then her condition took a dip. They operated to remove a bullet from her neck. She was unresponsive for three days.
January 30, 2013 -- Updated 1031 GMT (1831 HKT)
The University Hospital in Birmingham, UK show scans and 3D images of Malala's head wound.
November 10, 2012 -- Updated 1407 GMT (2207 HKT)
Pakistan has a new heroine and a new cause -- a girl's right to education. Now the government vows to get every child into school by end 2015.
October 19, 2012 -- Updated 1428 GMT (2228 HKT)
The Pakistani Taliban sought to silence the teenage education activist Malala Yousufzai. Now it's the news media and journalists they threaten.
October 15, 2012 -- Updated 1545 GMT (2345 HKT)
The Pakistan Taliban's attack on Malala Yousufzai has reawakened the country to the threat of extremists, says Frida Ghitis.
October 17, 2012 -- Updated 1639 GMT (0039 HKT)
In an exclusive interview, Kainat Ahmad, who was shot with Malala Yousufzai, talks to CNN about last week's attack by the Pakistani Taliban.
October 17, 2012 -- Updated 1622 GMT (0022 HKT)
The Pakistani Taliban attack on a teenage girl is the latest in a long list of assaults against the military and civilians, analysts say.
January 30, 2013 -- Updated 1048 GMT (1848 HKT)
Eleven-year-olds sometimes are kept awake by monsters they can't see. But Malala began believing that she was stronger than the things that scared her.
October 17, 2012 -- Updated 0918 GMT (1718 HKT)
A week ago, a Pakistani schoolgirl who dared to speak out against the Taliban took a bullet to the head for her act of defiance.
October 16, 2012 -- Updated 1151 GMT (1951 HKT)
The 14-year-old Pakistani girl who was shot in the head simply because she wants an education has become an international symbol of defiance against the Taliban.
October 15, 2012 -- Updated 0641 GMT (1441 HKT)
Thousands rally in Pakistan for Malala Yousufzai amid signs of growing fury with the Taliban.
October 15, 2012 -- Updated 1541 GMT (2341 HKT)
The story of Malala's fight to attend school has exposed our failure to deliver on universal education, writes former British PM Gordon Brown.
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