The rise and rise of Malala Yousafzai - a look at her remarkable journey

Malala Yousafzai was born on July, 12 1997 in the mountainous Swat Valley of Pakistan. Her father Ziauddin Yousafzai, who is also an education activist, had set up many girls' schools, one of which Malala attended. In October 2007, the Taliban militants took over the valley and began an oppresive regime, banning girls from pursuing education among other things. Malala was devasted and she had began writing an anonymous blog in BBC chronicling the events. In 2012, a Taliban gunman shot a then 15-year-old Malala in the head for talking for girls' education and rights. Fatally wounded, she survived after she was treated in the UK where she was later granted asylum.

(Pic: Instagram/@malala)

A global advocate for girls' rights and education, Malala became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2014. Her speech on the importance of ensuring education for children around the globe - she had she will continue her fight till she see every child in school - was hugely appreciated by the audience gathered at the ceremony in Oslo and she got a standing ovation. Interestingly, Malala received the peace prize along with Kailash Satyarthi from India. In her nobel speech she had said, "I am also glad that we can stand together and show the world that an Indian and a Pakistani can be united in peace and together  work for children's rights.

On July 12, 2013, Malala made an impassioned speech about gender equality at the  United Nations headquarters. In her powerful speech, Malala pointed out that extremists are afraid of education and emphasised that women must be independent to be able to fight for themselves. Her speech once again received a standing ovation, and the United Nations soon declared her birthday to be 'Malala Day'.

Malala met actress Emma Watson in 2016 to celebrate the documentary 'He Named Me Malala'. The two spoke on feminism and Malala had told Watson that she wasn't sure about the word 'feminist' at first because she had heard both positive and negative response to it. But Watson's explanation made things clear to Malala and she said she realised that she is a feminist as the word stands for equality.

Malala, now 24, got married in Birmingham in the presence of family and friends. She took to social media to announce her big news. "Today marks a precious day in my life. Asser and I tied the knot to be partners for life. We celebrated a small nikkah ceremony at home in Birmingham with our families. Please send us your prayers. We are excited to walk together for the journey ahead," she wrote on Instagram.

(Pic: Instagram/@malala)