Deputy Secretary-General Says Ending School-Based Violence Must Be Global Priority, as United Nations Launches New Initiative to Protect Girls

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, on Financing the Future: Education for All, in New York today:

It’s great to be with all of you.  I have been looking forward to this event since Malala and I first discussed it many months ago when she was designated United Nations Messenger of Peace.

Since then, I have added a new title, my proudest one yet.  That title is “grandmother” — grandmother to a beautiful three-month-old Maryam.  That has just further strengthened my commitment to girl’s education for those who could be left behind.  And that’s what we’re here to do — walk and run the talk.

My pledge today is focused on school-based violence.  It is unacceptable that young girls suffer abuse in the very place where they are meant to be protected and build the foundations for their future.  This will demand a collective response to see zero violence in schools, especially against girls.

Today, the European Union and United Nations are launching a new 500 million Euro Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate all Forms of Violence against Women and Girls.  It will tackle specific forms of violence to make a significant impact in a short period of time.

As a co-chair of this new initiative, I commit to ensuring that eliminating school-based violence will be a priority area for our support.  Let us all commit to ensure every girl has the support she needs for a quality education and a better life for herself, her family, her community and our world.