Apple and Malala Fund team up to support education for girls

Technology giant Apple and the Malala Fund announced today they will work together to help the cause of girls’ education.

Apple will offer technical know-how and resources to the organisation founded by Malala Yousafzai, the education campaigner and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

There are an estimated 130 million girls out of school around the world. The Malala Fund’s vision is to help an initial 100,000 underprivileged girls into education. 

“My dream is for every girl to choose her own future,” said Malala, who made global headlines after she was shot by the Pakistani Taliban on her school bus. 

“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.”

The fund’s Gulmakai Network currently supports programmes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Turkey and Nigeria. The number of girls out of school in these countries is huge. Various estimates put the figures at 13 million in Pakistan, five million in Nigeria and three million in Afghanistan.

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook will also join the Malala Fund leadership council. He said: “We believe that education is a great equalising force and we share the 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.”

The partnership shows the importance of major companies coming on board to work alongside international organisations and governments to help deliver education – especially for girls.

The barriers to girls’ education include child marriage, child labour, conflict, poverty and discrimination.