Malala, 14, hit the headlines last year when she was shot and nearly killed by Taliban supporters for the ‘crime’ of advocating girls’ right to education in Pakistan.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to education for all – indeed universal access to primary education is a key UN Millennium Development Goal.

But when in control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, the Taliban banned girls from attending schools – and Malala wrote about her experiences for an international media company before being shot by Taliban supporters in October last year.

Ms Lambert, who chairs the European Parliament’s Delegation to South Asia, said: “Malala should be given the Nobel Peace Prize in honour of her outstanding bravery in standing up for a basic human right – and in fighting gender discrimination.

“Her inspiring story personifies the work of many thousands of human rights defenders working in some of the world’s most dangerous places and taking enormous personal risks day in day out: and awarding the prize to Malala would recognize the work and bravery of them all.”

Mr Taylor added: “Malala nearly died in her efforts to champion Pakistani girls’ right to education – a selfless action that should be recognized at the highest level.

“Human rights defenders like Malala face danger every day, whether in Pakistan or elsewhere. We have nominated Malala both to recognize and honour her bravery but also to bring attention to those countless others like her, who place working for a fairer world before their own personal safety.”

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The resolution, adopted by consensus by the UN general assembly’s human rights committee this week, calls the widespread practice harmful and a serious threat to the psychological, sexual and reproductive health of women and girls.

It calls on the UN’s 193 member states to enact and enforce legislation to prohibit FGM, to protect women and girls “from this form of violence”, to end impunity for violators – and to launch educational campaigns for girls and boys, women and men, to eliminate it.

FGM is a centuries-old practice used to control women’s sexuality in some religions, although both Muslim and Christian leaders have spoken out against it.

Ms Lambert, a member of the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee, said: “When a woman is at risk of forced female genital mutilation, she faces a serious threat to her physical health and mental well-being. Many women never fully recover from this often violent act, frequently performed against their will.

“I am delighted the UN Human Rights Committee has taken this step towards a worldwide ban on this fundamental violation of the human rights of women and girls.”

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In an emergency resolution passed during today’s Strasbourg plenary session, MEPs broadly welcomed the introduction of new legislation by the Pakistani Government to tackle acts of violence against women, but expressed concern over the increased use of intimidation and harassment which had lead to the destruction of girls’ schools.

MEPs came together to urge Pakistani authorities to work in close-cooperation with the UN and the EU on delivering on the Millennium Development Goals which would provide primary education for all children by 2015.  The Parliament also called upon the international community to significantly increase funds aimed at protecting women and girls from sexual violence and domestic abuse.

Jean, a staunch advocate of girls’ rights, recently co-authored a written declaration in the European Parliament which called upon the European Union to support the creation of the International Day of the Girl; an annual day of advocacy which highlights the plight faced by girls and young women around the world.

Speaking after the vote, Jean said: “Malala Yousufzai, at just 14 years old, is lying critically ill in hospital having been shot twice on her bus to school by extremists who use their faith as a pretext for denying young girls an education.  She had dared to blog about her life and the problems she and other girls face in trying to achieve their ambitions.  She has faced death threats, but chose to continue. The cowardice shown by those who shot her because they could not bear opposition from a 14 year old girl is appalling but not an isolated incident.

“Malala is supported by her family, which is not the case for many as we know, who are pushed into early marriage and never fulfil their potential.  From access to education and healthcare to disaster situations and emergency responses, girls face discrimination in every sphere which affects their whole life chances.  Research shows that there is no better investment than helping future generations of young women to fulfil their potential, and it falls to the Pakistani Government to ensure that all girls are able to access this fundamental human right without fearing for their lives.”

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Following an extensive campaign by global children’s charity, Plan, the United Nations designated 11th October as the International Day of the Girl; an annual day of advocacy which highlights the plight faced by girls and young women around the world.  Inspired by the campaign, Jean co-authored a written declaration in the European Parliament which called upon the European Union to support the proposed day in order to advocate for greater action and investment to enable girls to reach their full potential [1].

The event in the European Parliament, which forms part of the European Week of Action for Girls, will focus on the barriers put in the way of girls’ education in developing countries.  Research from across the world shows that 1 in 3 girls is denied a secondary education, yet an extra year of schooling increases a girl’s potential income, reduces infant mortality and adds to a country’s GDP.

Speaking ahead of the day, Jean said: “Every three seconds, one more girl, somewhere in the world, is forced into a marriage against her will to a man she didn’t choose.  Sadly, this is just one of the many violations girls are subjected to every single day.  From access to education and healthcare, to disaster situations and emergency response, girls face discrimination in every sphere which affects their whole life chances and are forced to suffer in silence.

“Research shows that there is no better investment then helping future generations of young women fulfil their potential.  I am delighted to be celebrating the first International Day of the Girl, which will help ensure that girls and women receive the support and recognition they deserve as a citizens in their own right and as powerful agents of change.”

Notes for Editor

1. The written declaration was co-authored by Jean Lambert, Catherine Stihler, Veronique Mathieu, Katerina Neved’alova and Roberta Angelilli. The full declaration can be read at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//NONSGML+WDECL+P7-DCL-2011-0039+0+DOC+PDF+V0//EN&language=EN

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Almost 400 members of the European Parliament from across the 27 Member States have signed the Written Declaration 39/11{1} which supports the proposal to proclaim 22nd September as the International Day of the Girl, sending a powerful message to European leaders of the support that exists for the initiative before it is voted upon in the United Nations next week.

Research by Plan Europe concludes that the majority of girls and young women around the world face discrimination and often violence and exclusion.  Girls and women are less likely to be enrolled in school, have less access to medical care and are more likely to suffer from malnutrition.  At the same time, it has been proven that investing in girls is key to reducing global poverty.  For example, girls who spend an extra year at school will on average increase their lifetime income by 10 to 20 per cent.

Jean, a co-signatory to the Written Declaration, said: “I am delighted that the European Parliament has shown such overwhelming support for this important declaration ahead of Monday’s UN vote.  It is a shameful fact of life that girls and young women are among the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people on the planet, despite being one of its most valuable assets.

“There is no better investment than helping future generations of young women fulfil their potential.  An International Day of the Girl would help ensure that girls and women around the world receive the support and recognition they deserve as citizens in their own right and as powerful agents of change.”

Notes to Editor

1. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//NONSGML+WDECL+P7-DCL-2011-0039+0+DOC+PDF+V0//EN&language=EN

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The declaration calls upon the UN to inaugurate the 22nd September as the International Day of the Girl, and formed part of a series of events held in the European Parliament this week to mark the European Week of Action for Girls.

The week was co-hosted by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girls Scouts and Plan Europe, whose latest report, ‘Because I am a Girl’, concludes that the majority of girls and young women across the world face discrimination and often violence and exclusion.

Jean, a member of the European Parliament committee on Civil Liberties, said: “It is a shameful fact of life that girls and young women are routinely discriminated against and excluded from public life in many places.  They are less protected by social and economic systems and disproportionally affected by the brutal public spending cuts taking place round the world. There are still difficulties for girls to access and remain in education, which affects their whole life changes.

“An International Day of the Girl would help to ensure that girls and women receive the investment and recognition they deserve as citizens in their own right and as powerful agents of change.  I urge the UN to make this day a reality without delay.”

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