The Urgent Issue of Girls' Education

 A 14-year-old girl has survived a gun wound to her head after surgeons were able to successfully remove the bullet. Mulala Yousafzai was on her way home on a school bus Tuesday afternoon after taking an exam at a local public school when an armed assailant boarded the bus looking for her.  Mulala was attacked after she had been identified. One of Mulala’s classmates also suffered a bullet wound.

Mulala lives in the Swat Valley of Northwest Pakistan and is known in the region as an advocate for girls’ education. She actively asserted her and other girls’ right to education by attending school, against the conservative beliefs of local armed groups. For her efforts, she was awarded the National Peace Award for youth. She was also nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize by the KidsRights Foundation.

Approximately 53% of the 61 million out-of-school children are girls. In Pakistan, where girls’ access to education has been largely restricted, a small percentage of primary schools cater to girls. Millions of girls around the world resonate with Mulala’s struggle for this basic human right, which culminated in a senseless, violent attack. The Tehreek-e-Talban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the attack.:

For More Information:

[AlJazeera] Prayers offered for Pakistan girl’s recovery (Accessed 10 October 2012)

[BBC News Asia] Malal Yousafzai: Pakistan bullet surgery "successful" (Accessed 10 October 2012)