Malala Yousafzai, teen shot by Taliban, gets kids' peace prize

Malala Yousafzai, a 16-year-old Pakistani activist who survived a Taliban attack last year, will receive the International Children's Peace Prize today from a Dutch children's rights organization.

Yemeni human rights activist Tawakkol Karman, the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate, will award the international peace prize from KidsRight to Malala in The Hague.

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"With [Malala's] words and strong communication skills, she positively raises awareness to the fact that all children have the right to education in a safe environment," says a statement from KidsRights.

At age 11, Malala started blogging under a pseudonym for the BBC about her love of learning and Taliban oppression in Pakistan, especially its ban on educating girls in her area.

Last Oct. 9, a gunman shot and wounded Malala on a school bus taking children home from school. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

Days later, Malala arrived in Britain to receive specialized care and keep her safe from further attacks.

Nearly three months later, Malala left the hospital. She continues to live in Britain with her family. Pakistan appointed Malala's father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, as its education attaché in Birmingham, a position he will hold for at least three years.

'Change and move the world'

Since the attack, Malala has earned worldwide recognition for her work.

Malala addressed the United Nations Youth Assembly, and the organization declared July 12 Malala Day. An online petition seeking to nominate Malala for the Nobel Peace Prize gathered nearly 300,000 signatures.

"The winners of the International Children’s Peace Prize have proven that any child is able to change and to move the world. Each one of them has successfully fought to solve problems," said Marc Dullaert, chairman and founder of KidsRights.

Malala was nominated for the prize in 2011, but this year the selection committee unanimously decided not to nominate any other children and just award her the prize.

Malala will receive a special statuette and financial support for her education, and about $137,000 will be donated to projects aligned with Malala's cause: Improving access to education for girls in Pakistan.