Malala Yousafzai was shot in October 2012 by the Taliban for promoting girls' access to education. Almost a year later, the 16-year-old Pakistani gave a speech at the UN headquarters in New York on 16 July 2013. Undeterred, she is still campaigning for girls to be given an opportunity to attend schools and be educated.

She called on all governments to offer free education and to protect children from violence. She also encouraged women to stand up for themselves and not expect men to do it for them.

In Pakistan, there are an estimated 82 girls for every 100 boys at primary school. While more can be done, this figure is much better compared to 52 girls for every 100 boys in 1990.

For more information, please visit https://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/12/malala-yousafzai-calls-free-education

Photo: DVIDSHUB, Flickr