Five young women who are making a difference in today’s society
- 27 May 2019
Women have become the driving force in society. From political platforms to scaling Mt Everest, they surely have shown that time has changed and so the stereotypes must also change. Gulf Today’s research highlights five young women who are making a difference in today’s society.
Here are the five handpicked ones:
Greta Thunberg: 16-year-old Swedish
Greta Thunberg speaks to the media. File
Quote: Since our leaders are behaving like children, we will have to take the responsibility they should have taken long ago.
Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her pioneering role in the fight against climate change, Thunberg stopped going to school every Friday and protested in front of Swedish Parliament to demand effective measures. Her “Fridays for Future” climate rally has spread over 100 countries.
Ahed Tamimi: 18 years old Palestinian
Ahed Tamimi poses for a photograph.
Quote: “The resistance continues until the occupation ends.”
An icon of Palestinian resistance movement, the teen became an international symbol of resistance to Israeli occupation after slapping two soldiers. She was jailed for 8 months. Tamimi planned to study law to hold Israel's occupation accountable.
Emma González: 19 years old American
Emma González during an event. File
Quote: #InOurLifeTime we will fight for and alongside victims of gun violence, and we will prevail. Forget our kids, our Neighbors shouldn’t have to worry about this.
On Feb 14, 2018, a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. 17 were killed. Emma co-founded gun-control advocacy group “Never Again MSD.” Her consistent advocacy led Florida Senate pass a bill, raising minimum age to purchase a firearm from 18 to 21.
Malala Yousafzai: 21 years old Pakistani
Malala Yousafzai at a classroom. File
Quote: “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”
An advocate for female education, she used to blog under anonymous name about situation under Taliban rule in Swat valley. Survived an assassination attempt. Inspires girls in the region. Holds Nobel Peace Prize. Her source of inspiration was Benazir Bhutto.
Nadia Murad: 26 years old Iraqi Yazidi
Nadia Murad speaks to the media.File
Quote: “I want to be the last girl in the world with a story like mine.”
An Iraqi Yazidi human rights activist, Murad and other women were taken prisoner by Daesh and were raped. Murad escaped and lived to tell the horrific story. She was honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize for her work.
