EI has sent out a call for action to its affiliates, requesting them to take action for women’s rights and girls’ education.
Malala’s fight for women's rights and youth education, especially girls
“Last October, people across the globe united to send thoughts of hope and love to a brave young girl fighting for her life in Pakistan,” says EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen in a circular sent on 26 June to all EI member organisations. “The Pakistani Taliban tried to assassinate Malala Yousafzai because of her strong voice in the fight for women's rights and youth education. Their gunmen boarded her school bus and shot her in front of her peers – but Malala survived and she hasn't stopped fighting.”
On June 15th 2013, we were reminded once again of the need to stand behind Malala and her cause: 14 young female students were massacred when a bus taking them home from university in Quetta, in western Pakistan, was blown up by extremist militants.
On 12 July 2013 — less than a year after she was attacked — Malala will mark her 16th birthday by speaking at the United Nations (UN). She will be delivering, to the highest leadership of the UN, the first-ever set of education policy recommendations written for youth, by youth.
Petition to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
EI invites its member organisations and all teachers and concerned citizens worldwide to sign the petition to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pledging your support to Malala’s cause.
Sign the petition now by clicking here!
You can also give high visibility to this petition by posting it on your website and on your Facebook account to colleagues, networks and friends.