UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK (TIP): UN Women expressed indignation and condemned the cowardly attack on Malala Yousafzai, a 14-year-old girl in Pakistan who was targeted for speaking out on the rights of girls to education and to live free of violence. The Executive Director of UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women said, “We hope for the full and speedy recovery of Malala and her two schoolmates shot in the attack, and call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice”.

The Executive Director’s statement further said, “This attack is an attack against all people in the world who believe in human dignity and respect for all. UN Women joins the Government and people of Pakistan and many others worldwide in recognizing Malala for her courage and determination to stand up for the rights of girls and women.

“As the world observes the first International Day of the Girl Child, I stress the urgent need to promote and protect the rights of girls around the world. Every girl, no matter where she is born, should be able to express her views, live free of violence and discrimination, and have a fair chance to reach her full potential. Freedom, justice and peace are built on the recognition of the inherent dignity and equal rights of all human beings.”