Just shortly after she made an appearance on Jon Stewart’s “The Daily Show,” 16-year-old Pakistani Malala Yousafzai was awarded the Sakharov prize for Freedom of Thought. This prestigious European award is worth $67,000 and is given to those who are dedicated to human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Yousafzai is known for her efforts in education for women, which began in 2009, when the Taliban banned women from receiving education in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. In addition to this award, she is also nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, which will be announced on Friday. In 2011, she was shot in the head by a Taliban member for her protests against their rule.

“By awarding the Sakharov Prize to Malala Yousafzai, the European Parliament acknowledges the incredible strength of this young woman,” Martin Schulz, the president of the Parliament, said. “Malala bravely stands for the right of all children to be granted a fair education. This right for girls is far too commonly neglected.”

Earlier this week, on "The Daily Show”, Yousafzai was asked by Stewart what she would tell the Taliban gunman if she encountered him again.

"I would tell him how important education is and that I would even want education for your children as well," she said. "That's what I want to tell you, now do what you want."

Once she said that, the entire audience, and Stewart himself gave her a standing ovation. Though she continues to receive threats from the Taliban, Yousafzai says that there are other ways to resolve conflict.

"You must not treat others with cruelty. You must fight others through peace and through dialogue and through education," she said.

Read more about Malala Yousafzai here.

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