NICE TO REPORT GOOD NEWS: Those on the front lines fighting for girls and women tend to agree that nothing is more important than education. Education changes boys as well as girls. Without education, few things will change for the youth of the world.
And so it was with great joy that I celebrated when learning that two very deserving people had won the Nobel Peace Prize. Too many times it appears that politics enter the equation, but this year two people who are changing the world shared the prize.
Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani girl who spoke out for education for girls, and who was gunned down by the Taliban for her words, is respected by all who acknowledge the importance of education to create change in the lives of girls and women all over the world. Young Malala is one of the strongest and most determined young woman the world has seen. And then there is Kailash Satyarthi, the Indian child rights campaigner, another deserving recipient of the prize, who has been recognized. This is a man who has saved thousands of young lives. He is widely respected for his accomplishments.
Both are to be admired and supported.
After traveling the world, and living in Saudi Arabia for 12 years, I agree that nothing is more important in empowering girls and women than education. While reading about Malala, and the difference education has made in her life, I am reminded of the many conversations I have had with Princess Sultana Al-Saud, a Saudi princess who has fought for girls and women since she was a young girl. She has always told me that education is the key to changing lives, cultures, countries, and the entire world. She is so right.
The world has come to know Princess Sultana through the pages of books I have written about her struggles and her victories. You can read about Princess Sultana and her quest for freedom for girls and women in the four books written about her life. Additionally, Malala Yousafzai, has written a bestselling book about her life, and I recommend it highly to all who care about peace, gender equality, and all that is good about life.
READ THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE FROM THE BBC, as well as other links following to other news agencies about this grand event:
Pakistani child education activist Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian child rights campaigner, have jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize.
At the age of just 17, Malala is the youngest ever recipient of the prize.
The teenager was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen in October 2012 for campaigning for girls’ education. She now lives in Birmingham in the UK.
Malala said she was “honoured” to receive the award, saying it made her feel “more powerful and courageous”.
She revealed she found out the news after being called out of her chemistry class at her school in Birmingham.
“I’m really happy to be sharing this award with a person from India,” she said at a news conference, before joking that she couldn’t pronounce Mr Satyarthi’s surname.
The Nobel committee praised the pair’s “struggle against the suppression of children and young people”.
Mr Satyarthi has maintained the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi and headed various forms of peaceful protests, “focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain,” the committee said at the Nobel Institute in Oslo.
The 60-year-old founded Bachpan Bachao Andolan, or the Save the Childhood Movement, which campaigns for child rights and an end to human trafficking.
Reacting to the news, Mr Satyarthi told the BBC: “It’s a great honour for all the Indians, it’s an honour for all those children who have been still living in slavery despite of all the advancement in technology, market and economy.
“And I dedicate this award to all those children in the world.”
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OTHER ARTICLES:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29564935
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/10/world/europe/nobel-peace-prize/index.html
BOOKS ABOUT PRINCESS SULTANA:
BOOKS ABOUT PRINCESS SULTANA Al-SAUD of Saudi Arabia, a Saudi activist for girls and women and education for all
USA EDITION of my latest book about Saudi women
UK edition of the latest about Saudi women through the voice of Princess Sultana
Jean Sasson 
The fact that both the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize come from the same part of the world is so interesting. Malala is a role model for every teenage girl and considering the fact that she comes from a part of the world where girls are particularly repressed. Ironically Mr Satyarthi was not so well known in India before he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Most people heard of him for the first time after he his achievements have been recognised by the international community! Ma’am, I find it amazing the way you understand the complex cultures of parts of the world which have been misunderstood and often misrepresented . I believe that the books tht you write along with other similar books should be read by all, especially teenage girls, as a deeper understanding of feminism and its causes is important in an age when many celebrities disregard the importance of feminism itself.
Thank you for writing, Divisha. I agree with you that it is MOST interesting that both these extraordinary people come from the same part of the world. Both are remarkable and help so many others. Mr. Satyarthi is saving so many children from lifetimes of abuse. He is a wonderful soul. And, I find Malala and her father to be as brave as any two people can be.
You are also right that too often people from one culture really don’t understand other cultures. As for me, I feel naturally drawn to all people, and if they are of a different culture from my own, I embrace learning the richness of cultures/countries/people I am lucky enough to meet. I was quite naïve prior to traveling, as I came from a very small town in the USA. Although there were always good feelings in my heart for those different from what I knew as a child, I had little true knowledge. Once I was lucky enough to travel the world and meet people from all corners, I felt very fortunate to have those experiences. I have sincere and good friendships with people from the Middle East, Asia, (including Pakistan and India, Africa, Europe and the USA, so I am one of the luckiest people to ever live, to get to explore, to discover the hearts of others.
I find differences appealing, and a way of learning. I’ve found that when people don’t travel and get to meet others first-hand, that it is easy to make assumptions.
Thank you again for writing. I’m so glad that my books have impacted your life. You, and others like you, impact MY life, and I thank you for that. Jean
Reblogged this on Thoughts of Kat Canfield and commented:
Malala speaks the truth in education of girls as well as boys as the basis of empowerment of the individual. Regardless of race, religion, culture, or economic status without education you will never succeed in life. The best way to rise above your economic status is get the best education you can achieve. Education is the key to most of our human failings.
So true, Kat!
Hi Jean!
Just wanted to know if the 4th book of the princess (More tears to cry), is already available in Portugal. I really can find the editor or the name in portuguese. Perhaps isn’t available?? 😦 Please help, I want your book!!! Thanks a lot, kisses. Sara
Hi Sara! The Portuguese edition will be out in January 2015 — or at least this is what I am told. The same publisher who published my other books will publish this one, so I’m hoping you can find it easily enough next month. Do let me know if you cannot!
Thanks a lot for your reply. I was kind of hoping I could have it for Christmas 🙂 Thanks!
I’ll check it out next week with my literary agent, I promise! Thanks, Sara…
Hello again Jean. Months have passed. I’ve searched the publisher and I really couldn’t find anything about your 4th book of the princess, still. Perhaps you can give me any news? The title in portuguese or any other information about its publication? Thanks so much in advance, greetings for you! Sara
I will ask my literary agent to check this out.
I cannot recall exactly… Are you looking for it in Brazil in the Portuguese language, OR in Portugal? Publishers in both countries bought the rights and to the best of my knowledge, one has been released and the other not. Please write to me at jeansasson@msn.com and answer my question about Portugal OR Brazil and I promise to get back with you next week. For now, have a lovely day, Jean
Done! Thanks!
Hi jean! I wanted to ask you if is it possible to find this book in spanish somewhere maybe on an e-book.
Yes, indeed. All my books were published in the Spanish language — I had two different Spanish publishers… I don’t know where to find them but I would think to try and research online…. Good luck!
And, yes, you should be able to find all these books written by me and others in the Spanish language…