The Malala Fund — Nobel Prize winner and activist Malala Yousafzai’s fund for girls education — is getting a major boost thanks to tech giant Apple.
On Sunday, Apple announced that it will become the Malala Fund’s first “Laureate partner,” enabling the non-profit organization to double the number of grants it gives out to education advocates, through its Gulmakai Network. The partnership will also support the organization’s expansion of its existing programs in India and extension of its work into Latin America.
With Apple’s support, the fund hopes to help more than 100,000 girls access secondary education opportunities.
Take Action: Join Rihanna and ask Norway to #FundEducation
Currently, the Malala Fund works to increase girls’ access to secondary education in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, India, and countries like Lebanon and Jordan, which host Syrian refugees. But 20-year-old Yousafzai aspires to reach even more girls with education opportunities.
“My dream is for every girl to choose her own future,” Malala Yousafzai said in a statement. “Through both their innovations and philanthropy, Apple has helped educate and empower people around the world. I am grateful that Apple knows the value of investing in girls and is joining Malala Fund in the fight to ensure all girls can learn and lead without fear.”
I am grateful to my friend Tim and @Apple for investing in our dream of a world where every girl can choose her own future. Together we will support the incredible girls we met in Beirut and millions like them around the world. https://t.co/nMm8aOuQVy
— Malala (@Malala) January 22, 2018
Apple CEO Tim Cook will also join the Malala Fund’s leadership council.
Apple is proud to support the courageous, visionary @Malala in advancing every girl’s right to 12 years of free, safe, quality education. Together we’re committing to expand the reach of @MalalaFund and provide secondary school opportunities to girls around the world. https://t.co/K9I64tJTWh
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) January 22, 2018
“We believe that education is a great equalizing force, and we share Malala Fund’s commitment to give every girl an opportunity to go to school,” Cook said. “Malala is a courageous advocate for equality. She’s one of the most inspiring figures of our time, and we are honored to help her extend the important work she is doing to empower girls around the world.”
Read more: 264 Million Children Are Denied Access To Education, New Report Says
Yousafzai captured international attention in 2012 after she was targeted and nearly assassinated by the Taliban in Pakistan for advocating for girls’ education. But Yousafzai persisted and is currently a student at Oxford University.
Faced with child marriage, gender-based violence, a lack of clean water and adequate menstrual hygiene facilities, and poverty, 130 million girls of school-going age are missing out on education opportunities, according to the World Bank.
Global Citizen campaigns in support of gender equality and education. Every girl deserves equal opportunities to access quality education. You can take action here to help #FundEducation for girls around the world.