Malala Fund staff pick their favourite Assembly articles of the year — Assembly

In 2019, Assembly featured hundreds of girls and women from around the world, including menstrual activists and Olympians, STEM advocates and education champions. We asked Malala Fund staff members to pick their favourite articles of the year and share what makes them special.

“Every article on Assembly is so unique and insightful in its own way, but my favourite piece for this year was the one where four young women share what it was like to flee the crisis in Venezuela. I had read about the situation in Venezuela in other news outlets, but it was only after reading these personal accounts of four young Venezuelans that I was able to get a better sense of what is actually happening in the country. I wasn't just reading about facts and numbers, but about how lives were impacted by the crisis and about the hardships that Venezuelans had to overcome. It was a somber piece, but so important and I'm very glad I was able to read it on Assembly.”

— Ayesha Shakya, @ayeshashakya, Digital Content Producer

“12 months, 12 languages, countless contributors. Assembly has had quite a year, which made choosing my favourite article almost impossible. One of the most memorable for me was ‘Studying math, catching up with friends, learning new languages: Girls share what they’re excited to do in school this year.’ I enjoy Assembly articles that put totally different contexts side by side; it challenges my sense of how big the world actually is and how the unfamiliar can feel strangely familiar.

Education is often seen in terms of ‘what comes after’ — and rightly so. Questions such as, ‘Could this help me find a job?’ and ‘Will the skills I learn now be useful later?’ are definitely important. Yet, this article reminded me of how important school is for well-being, spending time with friends and the joy of trying out new hobbies and interests just because. I think this article gives a broader understanding of what education can mean each day for girls around the world.”

— Laura Denham, @ldenham22, Advocacy Special Assistant

“Our story on Sana Khader and her 56 pen pals around the world was a joy to read. From the outside, it seems like a story about a girl travelling the world through the friends she's made and the letters she's sent penpalling. Deeper than that, it's a profile about a girl connecting in an intentional way to people and the world around her. Our generation is the most wired and technologically adept in history while at the same time, we're the most disconnected and lonely. Penpalling requires trust, thought, time and effort. This is underscored by Sana when she says, ‘Letters do tell stories. They're real. They don't hide feelings. Penning down our thoughts on a piece of paper is an emotion.’ It's a lovely profile about what it means to connect to people across the world and the ways we do so.”

— Fouzia Bencheikh, @kungfouzia, Capacity Building Officer

“If I have to choose one, which is not easy (!), my favourite Assembly article would be ‘No sharam, no problem: Maria Qamar, aka @hatecopy, on fighting for women in the arts.’ I have been following Maria's work for quite a while and was ecstatic to see her on Assembly. Maria's work shows how talented South Asian women are using art to fight stereotypes and challenge patriarchal mindset still prevalent in South Asian communities; she is giving a voice to all women who are tired of living with that mindset. Being a Pakistani woman myself, I am proud to see that we have artists like Maria. She is a testament to the fact that we are so much more than the docile, obedient and dutiful character that society wants us to be. We are fierce, we are confident and we can achieve anything and everything that we want to.”

— Maria Qanita, @Maria_Qan, Co-Founder Relations Manager

“I really loved Nibras Basitkey’s piece, ‘How to make the most of your internship.’ It reminded me of my experience starting the Operations Internship at Malala Fund nearly a year and a half ago. I could feel and relate to Nibras’ enthusiasm for learning new skills in a hands-on environment. I echo all of Nibras’ advice for young women beginning their first internships and new jobs. I’d also like to share a piece of advice colleagues had shared with me: Be a sponge and absorb as much as possible!”

— Sarah Albright, @sarah.albright, Development Associate

“I liked ‘How artificial intelligence is changing the way girls in Pakistan discuss reproductive health’ by Saba Khalid for many reasons. Her project, Raaji Baaji, creatively provides a platform for young girls and women to break the silence around taboo topics. I also love how the name 'Raaji Baaji' connotes a protective and trustworthy persona. As a reader, I was inspired by Saba's ability to use the skills she learned in tech to help young girls living in remote villages. I was impressed by Saba's empathic work style. When Saba learned more about the sort of questions the girls asked, she adjusted her project to better accommodate their needs. Saba also shared the challenges she herself faces as an entrepreneur and transparently spoke of the limitations of using AI to change social norms.”

— Rahima Sajid, Financial Associate

Tess Thomas

(she/her) is the editor of Assembly, a digital publication and newsletter from Malala Fund. She loves books, cats and french fries. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.