Thousands Call for Nobel Peace Prize for Malala Yousafzai

By Guardian UK

10 November 12

Politicians urged to back nomination of 15-year-old girl shot by Taliban while campaigning for girls' education in Pakistan

housands of people have called for a Nobel peace prize for Malala Yousafzai, the 15-year-old who was shot by the Taliban while campaigning for girls' education in Pakistan.

Malala has the support of more than 60,000 people backing a petition to nominate her for the prestigious award.

The call came ahead of Saturday's global day of action marking one month since Malala was shot in the head by the Taliban.

In the UK, Shahida Choudhary is campaigning for the prime minister and prominent politicians to write to the Nobel committee to recommend Malala.

Choudhary said: "Malala doesn't just represent one young woman, she speaks out for all those who are denied an education purely on the basis of their gender.

"There are girls like Malala in the UK and across the world. I was one of them.

"I started this petition because a Nobel peace prize for Malala will send a clear message that the world is watching and will support those who stand up for the right of girls to get an education."

Choudhary was taken out of school in the UK aged 16 and forced into a marriage in Pakistan. She escaped back to the UK, returned to education aged 28, and runs a network in Birmingham to support women in similar situations.

Malala, was attacked last month with two other girls while travelling home from school in the Swat valley.

The gunman who boarded the van in which she was travelling asked for her by name before firing three shots at her.

In early 2009, Malala wrote an anonymous blog about life under the Taliban, who had banned all girls in her area from attending school.

The global petition to have Malala nominated, on Change.org, was started in Canada by Tarek Fatah, a writer and broadcaster.

Malala's nomination has won the backing of Canada's four largest political parties and has been supported in other countries including France and Spain.

Nobel committee rules states that members of national assemblies and governments are able to make nominations for the prize. Nominations close in February.