Malala Yousafzai to address Parliament and receive honorary citizenship April 12

Malala Yousafzai, who survived being shot by the Taliban and went on to be named co-winner of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for her work to promote the rights of girls, will address Canada's Parliament on April 12, the Prime Minister's Office said Monday.

Yousafzai will also receive honorary Canadian citizenship during the visit, which was bestowed upon her in 2014.

Previous plans to honour her at an event in Toronto on Oct. 22, 2014 were cancelled after a gunman shot and killed reservist Nathan Cirillo at the National War Memorial and stormed Centre Block that same day.

In announcing she would become the sixth person granted honorary Canadian citizenship, then prime minister Stephen Harper cited Yousafzai's bravery in her fight for the rights of women and girls to go to school.

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When she was 15, Yousafzai was the target of Taliban assassins after she became an outspoken advocate for her right to attend class. After her recovery, she became an international spokesperson on the issue. She is the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and will be the youngest person to address the Parliament of Canada.

In a statement from the PMO, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, "Ms. Yousafzai's courageous response to those who threatened her life, and her advocacy for girls' education, has inspired many millions of people around the world. Her story is one of determination and dignity, and Canada is proud to call her an honorary citizen of this great country."

The PMO release also quoted Yousafzai, who is perhaps best-known by her first name, Malala, as saying, "The people of Canada are leading the world in their response to the refugee crisis. I am honoured by Parliament's invitation and look forward to visiting this great nation of heroes."