Should girls in developing countries like Pakistan have equal opportunities in education? -Huy S. Park

I believe that everyone in this world deserves to have equal opportunities in education, and gender shouldn’t be the reason to stop either boys or girls from having education and the rights to speak for themselves.

Malala Yousafzai, is a 14-year-old Pakistani girl who shares the same belief as I do. Unfortunately for Malala, living in a country majorly threatening by the Taliban, a Muslim militia group also considered as a terrorist organization that reluctantly approve the idea of girls receiving equal education. Malala and other fellow girls like her haven’t had a chance to receive proper education as they’re supposed to, and their lives are also threatened by the Taliban, who threaten to kill them if they ever want to go to school.

Recently, Malala’s movement on Pakistani girls get an education has alerted the Taliban and which they decided to shoot Malala in hoping to set an example and put an end to her campaign with whatever rights she stands for. However, Malala’s survived the incident and her condition yet remains unconscious. One of her relatives, Fazal announced that after recovery, Malala would continue to attend school regardless. Moreover, Malala’s recent email to the Times saying, “I want an access to the world of knowledge” (Nicholas D. Kristof, Her ‘Crime’ Was Loving Schools, October 10, 2012).  

Clearly, this is possibly one of the reasons why the Taliban fear the supremacy of girls’ education. Malala has shown her unstoppable will and courage on fighting what she, I and other supporters who share the same belief of equal education opportunities. “The greatest risk for violent extremists in Pakistan isn’t American drones. It’s educated girls.” Therefore, I hope you readers share the same belief as I do, and together to support Malala’s act so Malala and other Pakistani girls will receive the equal education that they’ve hoped for.

Websites you can go on to support Malala's case:

* www.dil.org

* www.tcfusa.org