We call upon all communities to be tolerant, to reject prejudice based on caste, creed, sect, colour, religion or agenda to ensure freedom and equality for women so they can flourish. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.

We are stronger than those who oppress us, who seek to silence us. We are stronger than the enemies of education. We are stronger than fear, hatred, violence and poverty.

I had a terrible dream yesterday with military helicopters and the Taliban. I have had such dreams since the launch of the military operation in Swat. My mother made me breakfast and I went off to school. I was afraid going to school because the Taliban had issued an edict banning all girls from attending schools.

Some people only ask others to do something. I believe that, why should I wait for someone else? Why don't I take a step and move forward.

We are human beings, and this is the part of our human nature, that we don't learn the importance of anything until it's snatched from our hands.

Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow's reality.

If a woman can go to the beach and wear nothing, then why can't she also wear everything?