Malala Yousafzai, the girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban for daring to fight for girls’ right to education in Pakistan, has won the Children’s Peace Prize for her incredible bravery.
The 16-year-old schoolgirl was attacked by gunmen last year after her blog on providing education to young women came to prominence. She was shot on her way home from sitting an exam along with two friends, all of whom miraculously survived.
After her ordeal Malala hit headlines around the world thanks to her stated intention to carry on fighting for women’s rights.
Speaking at this week’s award ceremony in The Hague, Malala said: "I was just one target for their violence.
“There are many others for whom we must continue... so that children all over the world can have a right to go to school.”
2011 Nobel Peace laureate Tawakkol Karman was on hand to give Malala her prestigious award, saying to her that the teenager is her hero.
“You cried: ‘No one can stop me or any girl from learning’,” said Ms Karman.
“The bullet aimed at your head at that moment was a milestone in the history of your country.”
Malala has inspired people around the globe, including Madonna, who has dedicated her song Human Nature to the budding young activist, and Angelina Jolie, who donated more than £125,000 to Malala’s charitable fund.