Malala Yousafzai expands her mission: From Education rights to Women’s sports empowerment
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai is redefining what empowerment means for young women. Known globally for her fearless advocacy for girls’ education, Malala is now venturing into the world of sports equality with her husband, Asser Malik, through their new investment group, Recess Capital.
The initiative comes alongside her latest memoir, Finding My Way, which captures her evolution from a quiet high school student to a global voice of resilience, humor, and hope.
From the Classroom to the Global Stage
Malala’s journey began in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, where the Taliban once banned girls from attending school. At just 11 years old, she began documenting life under extremist rule for BBC Urdu, standing up for the right to learn. Her courage nearly cost her life, in 2012, she survived an assassination attempt while riding a school bus.
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 at age 17, she became the youngest recipient in history. But even amid fame, she longed for normalcy, struggling to fit in as a student at Edgbaston High School in England. “By the end of my school time, I had only made one friend,” she recalled, highlighting how even icons seek belonging.
READ ALSO
Finding Strength in Vulnerability
Now 28, Malala’s new book Finding My Way reveals a more personal side. She opens up about anxiety, flashbacks from the attack, and her eventual decision to seek therapy, a topic still taboo in many communities.
“Growing up in Pakistan, I saw the stigma around mental health,” she said. “I would never have considered therapy, but I learned that it’s okay to ask for help.”
Her memoir aims to help young readers, especially college students, navigate identity, healing, and self-acceptance.
A New Chapter: Recess Capital and Women’s Sports
Earlier this year, Malala and Asser Malik launched Recess Capital, an investment firm dedicated to promoting women’s sports globally. Inspired by their childhood experiences, Malik played cricket freely while Malala lacked access to sports, the couple aims to reimagine what “recess” means for girls.
“I believe true education is giving girls access to all the paths they choose for themselves,” Malala told PEOPLE. “And sports is a powerful one, it builds confidence, challenges stereotypes, and unites people.”
The initiative supports women’s teams, leagues, and businesses that create opportunities for female athletes. Malik, who also serves as Director of Franchise Development for the Multan Sultans, hopes Recess Capital can help “create global sports equity.”
Balancing Purpose with Play
Malala has recently embraced a more active lifestyle, jokingly calling herself a “gym bro.” Introduced to fitness by her husband, she now enjoys weightlifting, running, and skiing, and dreams of meeting WNBA star Caitlin Clark someday.
“Before, I would just sit on the sofa all day,” she laughed. “Now, I love trying every sport I can.”
Her passion for physical wellness mirrors her advocacy for mental well-being, a reminder that empowerment extends beyond activism to everyday living.
Continuing Her Fight for Equality
Even as she explores new fields, Malala remains steadfast in her mission to defend education for girls, particularly in regions under Taliban control. “There should be no compromises on women’s rights,” she said. “The Taliban should not be normalized, they must be held accountable.”
From classrooms to playing fields, Malala’s message remains the same: every girl deserves the right to learn, play, and lead.
FAQ
1. What is Malala Yousafzai’s new project in 2025?
Malala Yousafzai and her husband Asser Malik launched Recess Capital, an investment firm focused on promoting women’s sports and gender equality across the world.
2. What is Malala’s new book “Finding My Way” about?
Finding My Way is Malala’s 2025 memoir where she reflects on her personal growth, mental health, and her journey from survivor to global advocate, sharing unseen parts of her life as a student, wife, and activist.
3. Who is Asser Malik?
Asser Malik is Malala’s husband and the Director of Franchise Development for the Multan Sultans, a Pakistani cricket team. Together, they founded Recess Capital to support women’s sports ventures.
4. When and where will Malala visit during her book tour?
Malala will visit Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut, on October 26, 2025, as part of her Finding My Way book tour.
5. How did Malala Yousafzai become famous?
Malala gained international recognition for her advocacy for girls’ education in Pakistan, surviving a Taliban assassination attempt in 2012 and later becoming the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2014.
6. Does Malala still advocate for education?
Yes. Malala continues her global advocacy through the Malala Fund, urging world leaders to prioritize girls’ education and condemn regimes that restrict women’s rights.
7. What sports does Malala enjoy?
Malala loves cricket, running, golf, and weightlifting. She’s also a follower of the WNBA and dreams of meeting basketball star Caitlin Clark.
8. What message does Malala Yousafzai want to share now?
Malala’s message is that education, mental health, and sports are all vital tools for empowerment. She encourages young women to seek balance, pursue their dreams, and never fear vulnerability.
