Malala Day being observed across the world today
Upon the completion of one month of the attack on children activist Malala Yousafzai, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has announced to observe Saturday, November 10 as the Global Day of Action for 15-year-old.
Demonstrations and seminars will be held around the world on Malala Day in which the partakers will pay tribute to the 15-year-old girl and support her call for indispensability of girls’ education.
According to UN figures, Some 32 million girls worldwide are denied access to education and in Pakistan more than five million children are unable to go to school.
Ban Ki-moon said education is a fundamental human right and Malala is symbol of girls’ education across the globe.
“On November 10th, citizens from across the globe are speaking out for Malala and on behalf of the 61 million children still not in school,” said the UN chief in a video message placed on the United Nations’ website.
“I am adding my voice to the messages from over 1 million people across the globe. “Education is a fundamental human right. It is a pathway to development, tolerance and global citizenship.
The civil society organizations in the country including Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has hailed the decision to observe the Malala Day.
The UN envoy for global education Gordon Brown said more than one million people has signed a global petition supporting Malala amid calls for her to be nominated for Nobel Peace Prize.
Brown, who is in Pakistan on a three-day visit to begin work on a plan to help the country in education, presented the to petition to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, who added his added his name to a petition at the launch of the “Waseela-e-Taleem” initiative on Friday. .
“Malala and her family believe that there are many, many more courageous and brave girls and families in your country who want to stand up for the right of every child, in particular girls, to have the education that they deserve,” said Brown while addressing to the launch.
The former British Prime Minister said the international community is ready to support Pakistan, but the country must support itself by putting education on priority.
On the other hand, a separate online petition calling for Malala, who rose to fame after writing a dairy for BBC about the life in Swat Valley under Taliban, to be put forward for the Nobel has attracted nearly 90,000 signatures.
Malala, who was shot in head by two breaded Taliban gunmen in Swat on October 9 when she was on her way from school, is currently undergoing treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Her father, Ziauddin said his daughter is stable and making good progress and she has thanked her well-wishers around the world.
“Malala is recovering well, and she wants me to tell you she has been inspired, and humbled by the thousands of messages, cards and gifts. They have helped her survive and stay strong,” he said.
