Malala attack is heartbreaking: US Congressman

Malala's story highlights the need to expand educational opportunities for women, girls in Pakistan: Dennis Kucinich

WASHINGTON: Thanking Malala Yousufzai for her courage, US Congressman Dennis Kucinich has said the attack on her was heartbreaking.

In a statement issued from his office, the Democrat member said that Malala's story has touched people around the world. He further said that the 14 year-old peace activist was targeted for promoting educational access for women.

"Her story has brought much needed attention to the issues she courageously stood up for: the urgent need to expand educational opportunities for women and girls in Pakistan," he said.

The US Congressman said that high illiteracy rate and low access to educational opportunities plague children and women in Pakistan.

Citing a study by the UNESCO, the statement said that only 26 per cent of Pakistani girls are literate, with the literacy rate below 10 per cent in some rural areas of the country.

"In addition to conflict, poverty and the dependency of many families on child labour serve as a significant obstacle to girls’ education.  The United Nations Children’s Fund estimates that 17.6 per cent of Pakistani children are working to support their families. That is why the recent shooting of 14-year-old education activist, Malala, is heartbreaking."

The Congressman, who is serving his last term in the US Congress and will leave office in January 2013, said that promoting gender equality in education and creating equal opportunities including employment and civil society participation was critical.

"The issues facing Malala and other girls and women in Pakistan are issues that should concern people all over the world.  We can all help Malala achieve her goals by working together to promote gender equality in education in our own communities and in places abroad, like Pakistan."