Malala Day is not my day. It is the day of every girl and every boy. It is a day when we come together to raise our voices, so that those without a voice can be heard.

I had 2 choices, be silent and get killed, or speak up and be killed, I chose the second option.

We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced

Do not wait for me to do something for your rights. It's your world and you can change it.

The terrorists thought they would change my aims and stop my ambitions. But nothing changed in my life except this: weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born.

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.'

There should be no discrimination against languages people speak, skin color or religion.