I speak not for myself, but so those without a voice can be heard. Those who have fought for their rights. Their right to live in peace. Their right to be treated with dignity. Their right to equality of opportunity. Their right to be educated.

My mother always told me,”hide your face- people are looking at you”. I would reply,”It does not matter; I am also looking at them.

In countries other than Pakistan - I won't necessarily call them 'Western' - people support me. This is because people there respect others. They don't do this because I am a Pashtun or a Punjabi, a Pakistani, or an Iranian, they do it because of one's words and character. This is why I am being respected and supported there.

Let us become the first generation to decide to be the last that sees empty classrooms, lost childhoods and wasted potential

Why is it, that giving guns is so easy, but giving books is so hard?

I raise up my voice-not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard...we cannot succeed when half of us are held back.

My father was convinced the Taliban would hunt him down and kill him, but he again refused security from the police. 'If you go around with a lot of security the Taliban will use Kalashnikovs or suicide bombers and more people will be killed,' he said. 'At least I'll be killed alone.'