And now people are comparing Malala Yousafzai to Mia Khalifa

Only a week into her first semester and Malala Yousafzai has already been wrongfully criticised. Earlier this week, an alleged new photo of the 20 year-old activist, wearing a bomber jacket, jeans, boots and a scarf, surfaced the Internet, causing uproar among many.

Malala Yousafzai, is a women’s education activist, who as a child narrowly escaped death after being shot by the Taliban in 2012, in response to her brave and outspoken campaigns for women’s right to an education. Despite her critical condition and the long road to recovery ahead of her, she did not abandon her efforts in the fight for equality in education.

Source: metro.co.uk

After completing her studies in Birmingham, she went on to accept a place studying at Oxford University and has recently started her degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Though most students will be sporting this attire as they begin the next year of their education, many were baffled at how Malala could be so daring to wear jeans, dubbing her “shameless” and a “disgrace”.

Whilst it is yet to be confirmed that this picture is actually Malala Yousafzai, people have not held back their accusations and have proceeded to dismiss the activist in the most degrading ways. Because, sadly, isn’t that just the natural way to respond to any woman who refuses to conform in today’s world?

Here are a few comments made towards the photo:

For a second, let’s just assume that it is Malala in the picture and she’s wearing a pair of skinny jeans. Who cares? Have you never chosen to wear something a little more modern over a traditional outfit? Do you think Pakistani or Indian women in school only ever wear sarees? Are men restricted to their traditional clothes every day?

BBC presenter Anita Anand came to Malala’s defence, telling the Daily Mail:

“Malala can wear whatever she likes as far as I am concerned.

“The baying criticism is coming from the most regressive quarters, and I doubt she could do anything to please them.

“I sincerely hope she never tries. She is a heroine and a role model.”

Once again, I ask why it is that we choose to focus on the meaningless appearance of someone, rather than what they stand for. Malala Yousafzai has kick started an incredible movement, inspiring young girls to fight for what they believe in and provoking the conversations that really do need to be had. This is the first time she has been pictured not wearing her traditional clothes. So bloody what? She’s still fighting for her cause, and is continuing to succeed.

It must also be noted that the majority of comments shaming Malala have been made by men. This just goes to show that the fight for true equality of the sexes is still ongoing. Women are still, by some, thought of as inferior to men and as theirs to dictate, in what they say, how they act and, now, what they wear.

Malala may not realise this, but she has sparked conversation this week and has carried us a step further towards respect and equality. 

Thank you for reading!

Aman