Ziauddin Yousafzai is a Pakistani education activist best known as the father of Nobel laureateMalala Yousafzai, who protested against the Taliban's opposition to the education rights of girls, especially for Pakistani girls. He is currently the Co-Founder and Board Member of Malala Fund and the author of Let Her Fly.
Biography
Early childhood
He was born on 20 April 1969 in a Sunni Muslim family of Pashtun ethnicity. Ziauddin's father was the orator Rohul Amin Yousafzai, who was also a teacher of theology at a government high school, Imam of the local mosque. As teacher he used to run a chain of schools known as the Khushal Public School, named after a famous Pashtun poet, Khushal Khan Khattak, as well as being a member of the Rotary Club of Swat.
Education
Since his father was an educational activist, Ziauddin was inspired. Even though he had a stutter, he wanted to prove to his parents that he would be able to learn and speak correctly. Ziauddin Yousafzai attended Jahanzeb College located in Swat, Pakistan. During his time in college, he was made general secretary of the Pukhtoon Students Federation, a student group that wanted equal rights for Pashtuns. Yousafzai graduated from Jahanzeb College with a Master's in English.
Personal life
Yousafzai has a wife, named Tor Pekai, a daughter, Malala, and two sons, Khushal and Atal. His first daughter was stillborn. Ziauddin has been seen on interviews with his daughter, being able to speak fluent English, Urdu, and Pashto.
Mission
When his daughter, Malala, was old enough to start understanding that at a certain age girls were prohibited to attend school, he inspired her to stand up and speak up. Instead of attending school, girls would have to stay home and learn how to cook for their brothers and fathers. When he created his schools after college with his friend Naeem Khan, they would of course be open to teaching girls who would strive to keep learning and going to school. He supported every woman who wanted to become successful in life and not stay illiterate like many women in Pakistan.
Other activities
Ziauddin did a sit down interview with the current affairs program The Agenda. He also gave a speech for TED Talk where he describes the reasons he encourages his daughter to speak up for women's rights. In his speech, he recalls never seeing his sisters' names written on paper growing up, and going to school while they all had to stay home. He attributes his activism to these facts.
