Advertisement

In the news: Education plan aims at girls around world

 
Published March 4, 2015

'Let girls learn'

Education plan aims at girls around world

Saying every girl "has value," President Barack Obama announced a more focused government effort Tuesday to help tens of millions of girls around the world attend and stay in school. Michelle Obama said she's heading to Japan and Cambodia this month to promote it.

President Obama said that, as the father of "two fabulous, extraordinary, awesome young women," he wants to help make sure that "no girl out there is denied her chance to be a strong, capable woman." Yet over 60 million girls are being denied schooling for a variety of reasons, he said.

Obama said the United States works quietly to support educating girls, but its many programs must become a single, coordinated strategy.

"We're making it clear to any country that's our partner or wants to be our partner that they need to get serious about increasing the number of girls in school," he said, announcing the "Let Girls Learn" initiative at the White House with the first lady standing beside him.

Mrs. Obama said her office and the Peace Corps will work jointly to highlight community-based solutions.

Associated Press