October 10, 2014

Malala Yousafzai Becomes Youngest Recipient of Nobel Peace Prize

AP/Jonathan Brady

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Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager who was shot by the Taliban at the age of 14 for her advocacy work promoting girls’ education, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, along with children’s rights activist from India, Kailash Satyarthi. Satyarthi is 60-years-old, Yousafzai is 17, the youngest recipient ever. She was at school doing her thing when she learned she had won the honor.

The announcement from the Norwegian Nobel Commmittee:

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014 is to be awarded to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzay for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education. Children must go to school and not be financially exploited. In the poor countries of the world, 60% of the present population is under 25 years of age. It is a prerequisite for peaceful global development that the rights of children and young people be respected. In conflict-ridden areas in particular, the violation of children leads to the continuation of violence from generation to generation.

Congratulations to both! For those of you in need of a refresher on the 17-year-old (reiteration is warranted), watch her leave Jon Stewart speechless during an appearance on the Daily Show last year.

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