Thousands call for Nobel Peace Prize for Malala

(NewsPoint) – 84,810 people have backed a petition on Change.org urging politicians around the world to nominate Malala Yousafzai for the Nobel Peace Prize (at the time of writing). The call comes ahead of this Saturday’s 'Global Day of Action' for Malala marking one month since her shooting .

In the UK people have joined Shahida Choudhary to call on William Hague, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband to write to the Nobel committee recommending Malala for the prestigious award.

Shahida said: “Malala doesn’t just represent one young woman, she speaks out for all those who are denied an education purely on the basis of their gender. There are girls like Malala in the UK and across the world. I was one of them. I started this petition because a Nobel Peace Prize for Malala will send a clear message that the world is watching and will support those who stand up for the right of girls to get an education.”

Shahida has experienced fighting for an education first hand. Born in the UK, she was taken out of school aged 16, sent to Pakistan and forced into a marriage. She managed to escape back to the UK and returned to education when she is 28 years old. Now Shahida runs a network in Birmingham to help support other women in similar situations.

A petition to have Malala nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize was started in Canada by Tarek Fatah, a writer and broadcaster. It has already achieved support from Canada's four largest political parties and has been replicated by supporters in other countries, including France and Spain.

The Nobel Committee rules states members of national assemblies and governments of states are able to make nominations for the prize. Nominations close in February 2013.