Malala Day

12 July 2013 is Malala Yousafzai’s 16th birthday and she is marking the day by giving her first high level public appearance and statement on the importance of education. Malala became a public figure when she was shot by the Taliban while travelling to school last year in Pakistan -- targeted because of her committed campaigning for the right of all girls to an education. Flown to the United Kingdom to recover, she is now back at school and continues to advocate for every child’s right to education. According to Gordon Brown, the UN Special envoy for global education, “Malala is a true inspiration and a shining beacon for girls’ education around the world”.

In support of the UN Secretary-General's Global Education First Initiative (GEFI), on 12 July – declared as "Malala Day" -- the President of the UN General Assembly and the UN Special Envoy for Global Education with the support of A World at School initiative are organizing the UN Youth Assembly, where more than 500 young leaders from around the world will convene to accelerate the goal of getting all children, especially girls, in school and learning by 2015.

Around one in three girls is denied an education due to violence, discrimination, poverty or practices such as child marriage. Malala Yousafzai has become a symbol for girls’ right to education and has been nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. The teenager will lead the event, calling on states across the globe to prioritize education and she will highlight the situation of other girls and boys just like her all around the world.

To support Malala’s fight for education for all, please sign the letter to Secretery General Ban Ki-moon, demanding emergency action for education.