Malala embodies commitment to human rights: Kerry US Secretary of State John Kerry has said Pakistani Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai inspires hope and embodies commitment to human rights and education. As we celebrate International Day of the Girl, I congratulate Malala Yousafzai who has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. As a recipient of one of the worlds highest honours, Malalas resilience and courage challenge us all to support the struggle against brutality, ignorance, and violence, Kerry said in a statement marking the International Day of the Girl. She inspires hope in millions of people and embodies our commitment to human rights and education, the American diplomat said of Malala, who at 17 years is the youngest recipient of the coveted award. Regarding the International Day of the Girl, Kerry said it reminds us of the need to recommit to investing in the worlds 850 million girls so that they can use their talents to contribute to their communities and countries. Every year of schooling increases a girls individual earning power by 10 to 20 percent, and the return on secondary education is even higher. Adolescent girls who attend secondary school will marry later, raise fewer but healthier children, and be less likely to be infected by HIV/AIDS. Countries with higher levels of female secondary school enrolment have lower infant mortality rates, lower birth rates, lower rates of HIV/AIDS, and better child nutrition. Each additional year of a mothers secondary schooling reduces the probability of infant mortality by 5 to 10 percent, and a child born to a mother who can read is 50 percent more likely to live past age five. Unfortunately, we live in a world where girls are often not valued. Today, 250 million girls live in poverty, one in three girls in the developing world will be married before turning 18, and 62 million girls are out of school--deprived of an education that would lead to positive health and economic outcomes. In 2013, nearly 80 percent of all new HIV infections among those ages 15 to 24 affected adolescent girls and young women. Thus, the consequences of failing to adequately invest in girls are enormous, he said.
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 02:52:48 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015