To my brave sisters, the kidnapped schoolgirls of Chibok,
On this first anniversary of your captivity, I write to you with a message of solidarity, love and hope.
My
name is Malala. I am a Pakistani girl your age. I am one of the
millions of people around the world who keep you and your families
foremost in our thoughts and prayers. We cannot imagine the full extent
of the horrors you have endured. But please know this: We will never
forget you. We will always stand with you.
Today and every day, we call
on the Nigerian authorities and the international community to do more
to bring you home. We will not rest until you have been reunited with
your families.
Like you, I was a target
of militants who did not want girls to go to school. Gunmen shot me and
two of my friends on a school bus. All three of us survived and are
back in school. Now we speak out on behalf of all girls about the right
to get a proper education. Our campaign will continue until you and all
girls and boys around the world are able to access a free, safe and
quality secondary education.
Last July,
I spent my 17th birthday in Nigeria with some of your parents and five
of your classmates who escaped the kidnapping. Your parents are
grief-stricken. They love you, and they miss you. My father and I wept
and prayed with your parents -- and they touched our hearts. The escapee
schoolgirls my father and I met impressed us with their resolve to
overcome their challenges and to complete their high school education.
My father and I promised your parents and the girls who had escaped that
we would do all we could to help them. I met Nigerian President
Goodluck Jonathan and urged him to work harder for your freedom. I also
asked President Jonathan to meet your parents and the girls who escaped
the kidnapping, which he did a few days later. Still, in my opinion,
Nigerian leaders and the international community have not done enough to
help you. They must do much more to help secure your release. I am
among many people pressuring them to make sure you are freed.
There
are reasons for hope and optimism. Nigerian forces are re-gaining
territory and protecting more schools. Nigeria's newly-elected
president, Muhammadu Buhari, has vowed to make securing your freedom a
top priority and promised his government will not tolerate violence
against women and girls.
"You will have
the opportunity to receive the education you want and deserve. The
Malala Fund and other organizations offered all your classmates who
escaped the kidnapping full scholarships to complete their secondary
education. Most of the escapee girls accepted this scholarship and are
now continuing their studies at a safe boarding school and with the
support they need. We hope to someday extend that same scholarship to
all 219 of you, when you return home.
Remember
that one day your tragic ordeal will end, you will be reunited with
your families and friends, and you will have the chance to finish the
education you courageously sought. I look forward to the day I can hug
each one of you, pray with you, and celebrate your freedom with your
families. Until then, stay strong, and never lose hope. You are my
heroes.
Your sister,
Malala
#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS #CYNOSURELIVE
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