Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning for girls’ education, has been named as Britain’s most influential Asian by a weekly publication here.
At the ‘GG2 ( Garavi Gujarat 2) Leadership Awards 2013’ on Wednesday, Malala, along with Kainat Riaz and Shazia Ramzan, who were shot and wounded in Swat Valley last year, were chosen for the GG2 Hammer Award, for their bravery.
British Deputy Premier Nick Clegg was the chief guest on the occasion where she was ranked first in the latest edition of ‘GG2 Power 101’ list.
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Though Malala was not present to receive the award, she said in a recorded message: “We must recognise the children’s struggle for their right and help children who are victims of child trafficking. No terrorist threats can deter us and we will carry on with our campaign for the right to education for girls.”
The publication noted: “Malala, who was unknown over a year ago, has become synonymous with a type of girl power that should be celebrated and applauded everywhere. Today, Presidents, Prime Ministers, people of influence and power listen to this remarkable 16-year-old. The GG2 Hammer Award winner of 2013 transcends every boundary and appeals to the very core of our humanity.”