SHE is known around the world for defying the Taliban and fighting for female education.

Now Malala Yousafzai, the world’s youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is to join the drive to eradicate homelessness in Scotland.

The Pakistani activist, whose family moved to England after she survived a near-fatal shooting by extremists, is to speak at next year’s Social Bite Dinner in Edinburgh.

The event regularly attracts high profile guests, including George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Around 2000 people are expected to hear Malala’s address at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) in March.

The crowd will include the 50 biggest fundraisers at the upcoming Sleep in the Park sponsored camp out, which will take place in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen in December.

The 21-year-old will also visit Social Bite’s Vesta restaurant in the capital for a private lunch with “key supporters”.

Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of the social enterprise, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that Malala has accepted our invitation to Scotland to speak at our special dinner, as well as visit our restaurant. It is an honour.

“It is an amazing opportunity for those participating in this year’s Sleep in the Park event to attend a special thank you dinner and hear about the journey of this remarkable young woman, who has done so much for girls’ education and social justice throughout the world.”