Stories That Shape Change: Narratives of Girls’ Education by Malala Yousafzai, Buchi Emecheta, Wangari Maathai

Author: Mallika Nair

Field of Study: Arts and Humanities

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Will Glovinsky

Easel: 27

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: While extensive research exists on girls' education, much of it relies on quantitative data with a limited focus on personal narratives. Further research is needed on how lived experiences interact with policy changes. This paper explores how personal narratives highlight what quantitative data and policies might miss. By analyzing autobiographies by Malala Yousafzai, Wangari Maathai, and Buchi Emecheta, it examines how firsthand accounts create narrative-driven empathy that reveals lived experiences beyond statistics. Through readings of I Am Malala, Head Above Water, etc, alongside analyses of scholarly articles, this paper emphasizes how storytelling can generate support, legitimize reform efforts, and shape discourse around educational access and equity. Ultimately, this paper argues that personal narratives play a crucial role in shaping how we understand and advocate for girls’ education, by filling critical gaps left by quantitative metrics. These narratives reveal the lived realities, cultural barriers, and societal expectations that shape girls’ educational experiences–insights that data alone fail to capture.