As an organization whose mission is to educate and empower women around the world, we were thrilled to see that Malala Yousafzai was the co-winner for the 2014 Nobel Prize for Peace. She was awarded this honor for her work against the suppression of children and young people and the right of all children to education. At age 17, she is the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate and one of 13 women given the Nobel Prize for Peace since 1895.
Malala has been advocating for peace and education for girls in her native Pakistan since she was 11 years old. In 2009, she started a blog about her life under the Taliban occupation giving her views on promoting education for girls in the Swat Valley. On the afternoon of October 9, 2012, Malala was shot because of her outspoken beliefs as she boarded her school bus. She has recovered and continues her fight for freedom and peace. Malala received her Nobel Prize on October 10, 2014, almost two years to the day she was shot.
We know that education and economic empowerment go hand-in-hand. Our motto at IEEW is, “When you educate a woman, you empower a nation.” Since 2006, the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women has been providing business education to women entrepreneurs in Rwanda and Afghanistan. Every year, we fill our In-Country classes with 60 women business owners who are looking to increase their knowledge of accounting, finance, marketing and leadership skills. Thirty of the top women are then invited to attend Leadership Development and a Mentorship program in the U.S.
They return to their countries armed with the knowledge and skills to improve and expand their businesses. In doing so, they provide financially for their families and create jobs for their communities. It is widely accepted that countries with a GDP above poverty rarely war against each other and these women are contributing to their country’s economic development.
Nicholas Kristof, a columnist for the New York Times and a two time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, has written, “Why are fanatics so terrified of girls’ education? Because there is no force more powerful to transform a society; the greatest threat to extremism isn’t drones firing missiles, but girls reading books.”
Our congratulations go out to Malala. We are deeply humbled and grateful to her and to all the women who have worked so diligently and risked so much for so long. We believe deeply in our mission to bring PEACE THROUGH BUSINESS® throughout the world. We need each and every one of you taking part in that mission. For more information to find out how you can volunteer, mentor, or donate call 405-943-4473 or visit our website at www.ieew.org
