Plan Canada congratulates Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, a 'heroine of girls' education

CANADA, Oct. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - The announcement of this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, is a well-deserved and monumental recognition of her brave campaign for girls' education worldwide, says long-time champion of girls' rights Plan Canada.

Malala's story has helped to highlight the significant barriers and outright discrimination many other girls face when it comes to receiving an education, and she has proved an inspiration to the children that Plan supports worldwide.

"Malala's story has spoken to so many of us, we've been so touched – as individuals and on a global scale – and it's because of her indomitable courage and her unwavering commitment to girls' rights to education," says Rosemary McCarney, Plan Canada President and CEO. "She is a true heroine. We congratulate her on winning this year's Nobel Peace Prize."

The prize was announced a day before the third annual International Day of the Girl and comes three years after the teenage campaigner was shot by the Taliban on her way to school for her outspoken and pioneering views on girls' right to an education.

"Malala is a source of encouragement for all of us," said Humaira, 18, from Pakistan, a tutor from a Plan-supported school "The bravery of Malala has made us realize the importance of education and she has given us the courage to raise our voice and exercise a basic right, rather than screaming in fear."

Millions of girls around the world still bear the brunt of poverty, are denied an education, forced into marriage and subjected to violence because they are young and female. Plan Canada's Because I am a Girl initiative is working to change that reality by seeing that girls get the investments they deserve to transform their lives and the lives of everyone around them. The organization looks to this third International Day of the Girl as an opportunity for Canadians to join the world in a global movement to advocate for girls' rights and help create a brighter future for the world's girls.

About Plan and the Because I am a Girl initiative
Founded in 1937, Plan is one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan has only one agenda: to improve the lives of children. Because I am a Girl is Plan's global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights and lift millions of girls – and everyone around them – out of poverty. Visit plancanada.ca and becauseiamagirl.ca for more information.

SOURCE: Plan Canada

Media contacts: Abigail Brown, Senior Media and Public Relations Manager, Plan Canada, T: 416.920.1654 x277 | C: 647.971.3764 | [email protected]