Statement from the U.S. State Department Regarding the Shooting of Malala Yousufzai

Islamabad, October 12, 2012

Contact: Matt Boland,  Acting Spokesperson

(0308-555-0591)

128/2012                                                                                     

We continue to join Pakistan’s leaders in condemning this cowardly act of violence against a child.  We have seen a broad spectrum of Pakistani leaders – President Zardari, PM Ashraf, General Kayani - speaking out in support of Malala and all that she stands for.  We have also seen many Pakistani people speaking out against this unthinkable violence.  We join Pakistan’s people in wishing Malala a speedy recovery.

Below are two statements, one from the White House and one from the State Department.

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Statement by the Press Secretary on the First Annual International Day of the Girl

The White House - Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release - October 11, 2012

On this first International Day of the Girl, the United States reaffirms our abiding commitment to promoting the rights and status of girls here in the United States and around the world. We know that when girls have access to education and health care, are safe from violence, and have equal opportunities to reach their full potential, families and communities are more likely to thrive and countries are more likely to prosper. That is why the Obama Administration has worked to ensure access to quality health care for all our young people; to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, including human trafficking; and to promote gender equity in education, including in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields.

We are reminded of the urgency of this work by the outrageous attack this week by the Pakistani Taliban on 14-year-old Malala Yousufzai. Malala’s courage and determination as a champion for girls’ education and opportunity stands in stark contrast to the cowards who seek to silence her. Like so many Pakistanis and people of goodwill around the world, the American people are shocked by this deplorable shooting of a girl who was targeted because she dared to attend school, and we reaffirm our commitment to working with the Pakistani people toward a future that delivers progress, justice and peace to all its citizens.

As we pray for Malala’s recovery, we honor her bravery, we celebrate the accomplishments of girls here in the United States and throughout the world, and we salute the leadership of all those working to advance gender equality. On this International Day of the Girl, we pledge to carry on our work and keep advancing our shared vision of a world where our daughters enjoy the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons.

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Video Remarks on International Day of the Girl Child

Remarks Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State

Washington, DC

October 11, 2012

On behalf of the people of the United States, I am honored to join you in marking this first-ever International Day of the Girl Child.  Together, over the past few decades, we have helped raise the status of girls around the world.  More girls than ever are reaping the benefits of an education that will pave the way to healthier, more productive, and secure lives.  But there are still millions more who are forced to drop out of school or never even have the chance to enroll.  Many are forced into early marriages and early motherhood.  And discrimination, violence, and inequality still loom large in many countries – keeping girls from reaching their full potential.

As Secretary of State, I have worked with my colleagues to make breaking down these barriers and promoting gender equality a central pillar of our diplomacy.  Putting women and girls at the center of our foreign policy is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.  When you give girls the opportunity to go to school, receive quality health care, and be free from violence and discrimination, you are also laying the foundation for stronger families and communities, and a more peaceful, prosperous, and secure world. 

So I want to thank all of you for the work you do.  Please know that the United States will be your partner in this work - until every girl and boy in every country, every region, on every continent has the chance reach her or his full potential. 

To see a video of the Secretary’s remarks click here:  http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/10/198720.htm