She is small and dainty, has a warm, gentle handshake. She is dressed in traditional clothes, with a dark veil over her head. She is a proud Pashtun. Her name is Malala.
Elisabeth woke up a little late one Sunday morning and saw that a text message has come during the dark of night. Could we be on Skavlan today? They will be having Malala in the studio, accompanied by Märtha and myself. Malala! The 16-year-old girl from Swat in Pakistan, who has been known for her fearless fight for what she believes in, the one who gets the whole world to listen when she speaks! I am immediately moved.
A few years ago I came across a crystal that moved me, right in my heart. It is one of the most beautiful crystals I know of, purple, pink or green. It has a high frequency, a strong feminine power and it exudes deep, true love. It's called Kunzite. At the same time, I found myself connected and drawn to the place in the world where one can find the largest amount of Kunzite, in Afghanistan. This torn country, where everything is barren, and where women and children are suppressed generation after generation. I must go there. The challenge now was that I sat on the sofa in Nesodden, Norway and the television recording was only a few hours away in London!
We got straight to work and ordered the tickets. The children were supportive and said, "Just go, Mom." I ran to the car and was on my way. On this particular Sunday morning the car had decided that it would not accelerate, and it would not exceed 30 km per hour on hills.
Some thoughts flew through my head. Why is it that sabotage seems just around the corner, when women decide to take action. Thankfully a taxi appeared just when I needed it most, and along with overwhelming generosity from other passengers waiting to pass through security checks at the airport, I ran atop my two high heels into the departure terminal, as the announcement, "Elisabeth Nordeng, We are waiting for you," was called. Breathlessly I managed to reach the plane to London and arrive at the studio just before the broadcast. There sat the princess with her make up finished, and ready. Also experiencing an atypical Sunday were her children, who had decided to join her for work.
She is small and dressed in dark clothing. She has a strong voice and a strong history. Her eyes shine, and I can see her heart. There lives a very young, strong woman, who is open and alive. She is the girl that the Taliban wanted to kill, and tried to kill by shooting her in the head. But she did not die, she became even more alive. Malala possesses a power, and the desire to share it with all the world's people. She woke from a coma and came back to life - in it experience lies great potential, great opportunity. She wants to stir and awaken humanity in a good way; not with revenge, but with knowledge.
During the broadcast four women from different parts of the world meet; four women with totally different upbringings and understandings. Bianca Jagger, a human rights activist with a focus on women and children's rights, Malala, Princess Märtha Louise and myself. It is overwhelming to know that I'm a part of this. It makes me strong and it makes so much sense. In that moment I feel a hope for the world.
We are different, but united in the desire to make a change. Bianca, who is a lawyer, promotes rights. Malala highlights that everyone has the need and the right to be educated. We are devoted to inner wisdom and strength.
She is small and dainty, dressed in dark clothing.
She wears a crystal in her heart.
It is a light to the world.