Malala Yousafzai on British Vogue Cover: 6 Takeaways From Her Interview

Malala Yousafzai, who graced the cover of British Vogue in June, revealed details about her lockdown days, wearing a headscarf, her favorite meal, friendships, and more in the interview. Take a look at what she said.

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During Lockdown

The 23-year-old, who graduated during the epidemic, travelled to Birmingham from her parents' home to finish her final year at Oxford University. She spent her time reading, playing online games, and "doom-scrolling" on social media.

Favorite Food

The activist had some free time at the university, so she went to McDonald's and ordered a sweet chili chicken wrap and a caramel frappe.

Marriage plans

I still don't understand why people have to get married, she said, referring to her parents' desire to see their daughter married one day. Why do you have to sign marriage papers if you just want someone in your life? Why can't it just be a partnership? 

Love towards comedies

Malala said she wants to develop comedies like Rick and Morty and Ted Lasso, in addition to documentaries on important themes like women's rights and girls' education.

"I want these shows to be fun and the type of thing I would watch," she said of the debut of her new production company, ‘Extracurricular.' I won't put them in if I don't laugh at them or enjoy them.

About Headscarf

Wearing a headscarf, Malala added, meant more to her than her Muslim beliefs. "It signifies where I originate from because it is a cultural icon for us Pashtuns. And when Muslim, Pashtun, or Pakistani girls wear their traditional attire, we are labelled oppressed, mute, or living under patriarchy. I want to remind everyone that you can have a voice in your culture and that you can have equality in your culture," she says.

Friendship With other Activists

Malala is friends with Greta Thunberg, an 18-year-old climate activist, and Emma González, a 21-year-old gun control activist. She said they both texted her for advice. "I understand the strength in a little girl's heart when she has a vision and a mission," says the author.

"I had never really been in the company of people my own age because I was recovering from the tragedy [the Taliban's assassination attempt on her life], and I was traveling around the world, releasing a book, making a documentary, and there were so many things going on. She was cited as stating, "At university, I finally gained some time for myself."