The Crisis in Girls’ Education

United Nations Millennium Declaration In September of 2000, world leaders gathered at the UN headquarters in New York to discuss what the organization’s role should be in the new millennium After much deliberation, they created eight goals aimed at raising the quality of life around the globe by 2015 The third goal reads as follows:

Goal 3 “Empowering women and promoting gender equality, specifically setting targets to eliminate gender disparity in all levels of education by 2015.”

There are currently 61 million children around the world who are not in school. Approximately 39 million (or 63%) of these children are girls

For some perspective, 39 million is equal to... …the total population of California… …and 9 times the total population of Kentucky!

Educating girls results in… Healthier, better educated children and grandchildren Fewer maternal deaths and reductions in the under 5 mortality rate Delayed marriage and better parenting skills Improved literacy and numeracy skills leading to greater economic opportunities More skills and knowledge enhancing women's self esteem and the well being of families

Pakistan has the second largest number of children out of school (5 Pakistan has the second largest number of children out of school (5.1 million) in 2010.

Facts About Girls’ Education in Pakistan The overall literacy rate is 46%, but only 26% of the girls are literate. There are 163,000 primary schools, but only 40,000 are for girls. Two-thirds of Pakistan’s out-of-school children are girls (more than 3 million). Pakistan spends seven times more money on the military than it does on primary education. (Information obtained from unesco.org)

Malala’s Mission Malala is all about education and basic human rights. She lives in Pakistan’s Swat valley and began writing a blog recording her thoughts and experiences about being forbidden from going to school. Because of her outspoken views, the Taliban ambushed her school bus and shot her in October 2012. She is playing a vital role in bringing education to areas of Pakistan where there is no concept of education. Extremists warned her, attacked schools, and attempted to assassinate her, but still her hopes are high. Learn more about Malala and her speech at the United Nations at aft.org and see it here.