In a first of its kind, tech-giant Apple has partnered with Malala Yousafzai’s Malala Fund to deliver quality education to 100,000 girls and more in places like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Turkey, India, Latin America and Nigeria. Apple will assist with funding and resources to help Malala reach her goal.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, who will join the Malala Fund Leadership Council said in a statement, “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. Malala is a courageous advocate for equality. She’s one of the most inspiring figures of our time, and we are honoured to help her extend the important work she is doing to empower girls around the world.”
Malala and Tim flew into Lebanon to launch their partnership. Speaking at the launch, Malala said, “I really wanted us to work together because Apple has expertise: they are expert in tech, they have resources and they have amazing and incredible people. The Malala Fund is trying to reach out to girls, how can we bring these two together to reach more girls, as many as we can, to empower them through quality education. And that was my dream. So, things started happening and I just can’t believe it has been a few months and now we are here in Lebanon and announcing our partnership for the coming years.”
Malala Yousafzai has been extremely vocal about the challenges of a good education for girls. In 2012, the Taliban even attempted to assassinate her and she was shot in the head in the school bus on the way home, which she miraculously survived. But there was no stopping her, and she continued to advocate for girls’ education. She went on to become the youngest Nobel Peace Prize Winner in 2014.
