I was a girl in a land where rifles are fired in celebration of a son, while daughters are hidden away behind a curtain, their role in life simply to prepare food and give birth to children.

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

We should not be followers of traditions that go against human rights...we are human beings and we make traditions.

In some parts of the world, students are going to school every day. It's their normal life. But in other part of the world, we are starving for education... it's like a precious gift. It's like a diamond.

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 am not here to speak against the Taliban. I'm here to speak up for the right of every child.

If one man can destroy everything, why can't one girl change it?