Malala Day 2025: Why It Matters, How It Began, and Quotes That Inspire Change

Every year on July 12, Malala Day is observed across the world to honour Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate, for her continued fight for girls’ education. The day marks not just her birthday but a reminder of her courageous stand against the Taliban regime in Pakistan, where girls were denied the right to go to school. The day encourages global action to promote education for every child, especially girls in underprivileged or conflict-affected areas.

I’m writing about Malala Day because education continues to be a distant dream for many children, even in 2025. While some progress has been made globally, girls in many countries are still being denied basic learning opportunities. Malala’s story matters because it puts a face and voice to that struggle. She was shot at the age of 15 simply because she dared to speak up about education. Despite that, she didn’t stop—she grew louder. As someone who believes education should never be optional or a privilege, I feel it’s important to highlight her legacy, the importance of this day, and what we can take away from her words and actions.

History of Malala Day

Malala Day was officially declared by the United Nations on July 12, 2013, the day Malala delivered her first public speech at the UN headquarters after surviving a Taliban assassination attempt in 2012. Her speech, often referred to as the “Girl Shot for Going to School” address, was not just a personal statement but a call to action for global leaders.

She spoke about peace, education, and women’s rights and said, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.” Since then, July 12 has become a day to stand in solidarity with every child who still fights for access to education.

Why Malala Day Still Matters in 2025

Even today, UNESCO reports show that more than 120 million children are still out of school. In conflict zones, girls are more than twice as likely to be out of school than boys. Child marriage, poverty, war, and cultural beliefs still keep girls away from classrooms.

Malala Day matters because it reminds us that education is not a finished goal. It’s an ongoing fight. Malala’s story is proof that awareness and advocacy can bring real change. Her foundation, the Malala Fund, works in countries like Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to support girls through education.

How Malala’s Work Continues to Inspire

Malala Yousafzai is not just a global icon; she’s also an example of resilience. After surviving the attack, she went on to study at Oxford University and continued her advocacy work. Through the Malala Fund, thousands of girls have gained access to schools, books, and resources they were once denied.

She has met with world leaders, launched campaigns, and written books—most notably her memoir I Am Malala—which became a bestseller and a source of motivation for many young girls.

Powerful Quotes by Malala on Education

Here are a few quotes by Malala that continue to inspire students, teachers, and change-makers:

“One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.”
“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.”
“I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.”
“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.”
“They thought that the bullets would silence us. But they failed.”

These words serve as a reminder that speaking up for education is a fight worth having, and that young people can be leaders of real change.

Final Thoughts

Malala Day is not just a tribute to Malala Yousafzai—it’s a global call to ensure that education reaches every child, no matter where they live. In 2025, we still have a long way to go. The day gives us a moment to pause and reflect: Are we doing enough to support education for all? If not, what more can we do? Whether you’re a student, a teacher, a policymaker, or just someone who cares, Malala Day is your reminder that the fight for education is far from over—and your voice can still make a difference.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.