UNESCO-Pakistan to launch Stand Up for Malala event in Paris

Pakistani  teen activist Malala UNESCO and Pakistani government will launch an event “Stand up for Malala – Stand up for Girls’ Right to Education” in Paris on December 10. The event is aimed to generate political will and accelerate action in favour of every girl’s right to get an education. It coincided with UN Human Rights Day, sources said.
\"The assassination attempt on Malala represents violation of girls’ right to education. In far too many countries, girls are deprived of this fundamental human right that is the key to dignity and decent future,” a statement from UNESCO headquarters read.
Sources said the event will be attended by the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari in Paris.
Other attendees will include heads of state and government, leaders of UN agencies, foundations, donors, and members of the private sector.
Sources said girls between 15 and 24 have a literacy rate in Pakistan of 61 percent against 79 percent for males.
However, youth female literacy rate is projected to be 72 percent (against 82 percent for males) by year 2015, whereas adult female literacy rate of older age group (15+) is projected to be 47 percent.
The gender-based ratio of female to male of illiterate youth between ages 15 to 24 is 64 percent to 36 percent. This shows that gender gap still exists, officials at UNESCO said.