Angelina Jolie has thrown her support behind 14-year-old activist Malala Yousafzai, who was nearly killed by a Taliban hitman while on her way to school.
The Pakistani teenage incited hate from militants after speaking out in support of education for girls. She is now in the UK receiving treatment for her injuries and Jolie has honoured Malala's courage.
Jolie, a mother of six and Goodwill Ambassador for the UN's High Commission for Refugees, has written a piece for US news website The Daily Beast about discussing Malala's plight with her children.
'Still trying to understand, my children asked, 'Why did those men think they needed to kill Malala?' Jolie wrote in the piece published on Tuesday.
'I answered, 'because an education is a powerful thing.''
'This violent and hateful act seems to have accomplished the opposite of its intent, as Pakistanis rally to embrace Malala's principles and reject the tyranny of fear,' Jolie wrote.
'A spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban said 'let this be a lesson.' Yes. Let this be a lesson-that an education is a basic human right, a right that Pakistan's daughters will not be denied.'
Jolie, along with The Daily Beast editor Tina Brown, has launched a campaign with the Women in the World Foundation to create an award which will donate funds to women who work to ensure girls' education in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the Taliban continues to target those associated with Malala, including several Pakistani news organisations, the Express Tribune reported.
Jolie hopes to see Malala receive an official acknowledgment for her valour. The star believes the youth could be up for a Nobel Peace Prize.
'I imagine brave Malala will be given serious consideration,' she said.
