My headscarf represents where I come from: Malala Yousafzai for Vogue

Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai has yet another feather in her cap in the form of a British Vogue cover.

23-year-old Malala, who holds the distinction of being the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner in history, sat down with British Vogue to talk about her life, where she comes from, her achievements, and her goals going forward in life as an Oxford graduate.

Malala, a Pashtun girl from Pakistan Swat Valley, got shot in the face by the Taliban when she was just 15 for refusing to waive off her right to education and has since resided in Birmingham where she was airlifted for treatment after the assassination attempt.

Talking about her roots and the headscarf that is a fixture of her image, Malala Yousafzai shared that “it’s a cultural symbol for us Pashtuns, so it represents where I come from.”

“Muslim girls or Pashtun girls or Pakistani girls, when we follow our traditional dress, we’re considered to be oppressed, or voiceless, or living under patriarchy. I want to tell everyone that you can have your own voice within your culture, and you can have equality in your culture.”

The July issue of British Vogue features more such details of Malala Yousafzai’s life and her struggle.

The full article also includes testimonies from people like Obama’s and Apple CEO Tim Cook. “Malala Yousafzai has generated so much glowing praise over the last few years but here’s the thing: it’s all true. She’s truly extraordinary,” said Michelle Obama.

Referring to her as a North Star, Cook said, “I don’t think there’s anyone quite like her. She’s an original. She has a lifetime of experience in 23 years.”

Read the entire Vogue piece here.