The future of girls’ education
A first look at our plans to get more girls in school in 2017
Thanks to Malala Fund supporters, many more girls will go to school this year. But with 130 million girls still denied an education, we still have work to do!
2017 is a pivotal year for girls. This new year brings new presidents and prime ministers to countries around the world — and with them, new politics and priorities.
While we may not know what lies ahead, one thing is certain: we’ll be here fighting for girls — telling their stories, knocking on doors and standing up to anyone who threatens a girl’s right to education.
Here’s your first look at our 2017 plans:
1. Launching a new initiative to support education champions in developing countries. Today we’re announcing Malala Fund’s largest investment in girls’ education to date! The Gulmakai Network will support educators and advocates in developing countries and speed up progress towards girls’ secondary education around the world.
Threats to girls’ education — like poverty, war and gender discrimination — differ between countries and communities. Just like Malala and Ziauddin did in Pakistan, today’s activists understand challenges in their communities and are best placed to offer solutions.
Malala Fund believes in these remarkable champions and we’re investing in their work so that every girl can learn and lead without fear. Learn more about the Gulmakai Network and meet our inaugural class of champions!
2. Continuing the call for girls’ education in conflict areas. We’re following up on government commitments made to fund education for Syrian refugee children last year. And we’re keeping up the pressure on the Nigerian government to ensure the safe return of the Chibok girls, kidnapped from their school nearly three years ago by Boko Haram. We believe every girl should be able to learn and lead without fear, including refugees and girls living in conflict areas.
3. Funding the future. This year we need to make the case for funding girls’ education to new leaders around the world — and their decisions will have an impact on the future of millions of girls. Stay tuned because we’ll need your help, more than ever before!
We’re so glad for everyone who worked together with us for girls’ education. As Malala said, “When I was a young girl in Pakistan, I never dreamed that one day I would have millions of friends like you, fighting for girls like me.”
We hope you will continue to stand with us as we go into the new year with more fight then ever.
