Children's Education is the Priority: Nobel Prize Winners Malala and Satyarthi

Child education activist Malala Yousafzai, who won the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, has stated that she would work along with her co-winner Kailash Satyarthi to further children's education worldwide.

"I had a phone call with Kailash Satyarthi and spoke about how important it is that children get education. Both of us have decided to work together for this cause," Malala said, addressing the media here.

Stating that she was honoured by being awarded the Nobel Prize, Malala said that the award had given the struggle for providing education for all a new impetus.

"This is not just a medal but an encouragement, a message that people are standing with me in my fight. I think this is just the beginning: there are so many children who don't receive education," the Pakistani activist said.

Speaking of her experiences in the Swat Valley, when she rose to worldwide fame, Malala said, "I only had two choices: to not speak up and be killed, or to speak and be killed. I chose the latter. My message is to the children all around the world that they should stand up for their rights."

The 17-year-old Malala, who has now become the youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize, said that she and Satyarthi are also planning to work together to bring peace and stability to India and Pakistan.

"The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize jointly to an Indian and a Pakistani gives a message of love between Pakistan and India, and to those who belong to different religions. We both also decided to work to try and strengthen relation between our two countries. We know that there are tensions at the border. This tension is disappointing and saddening," she said.

"We want both nations to have a dialogue, to think of peace and development. Both nations should think about education and progress," she added.

Earlier in the day, Satyarthi and Malala were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

"Despite her youth, Malala Yousafzai has already fought for several years for the right of girls to education, and has shown by example that children and young people, too, can contribute to improving their own situations. This she has done under the most dangerous circumstances. Through her heroic struggle she has become a leading spokesperson for girls' rights to education," the committee said.

Source: ANI