In an effort to support education for girls in India and around the world, Apple on Jan. 22 announced support for the Malala Fund, led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, which focuses on advocating for every girl’s right to 12 years of free, safe and quality education.
Apple noted, “With an estimated 130 million girls out of school, the importance of their work is increasingly essential.”
With Apple’s support, the Malala Fund expects to double the number of grants awarded by its “Gulmakai Network” and extend funding programs to India and Latin America, with the initial goal of extending secondary education opportunities to more than 100,000 girls.
The fund’s “Gulmakai Network” currently supports programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Turkey and Nigeria.
CEO Tim Cook said, “We believe that education is a great equalizing force, and we share the Malala Fund’s commitment to give every girl an opportunity to go to school.”
Cook will also join the Malala Fund leadership council.
Cook added, “Yousafzai is a courageous advocate for equality. She’s one of the most inspiring figures of our time, and we are honored to help her extend the important work she is doing to empower girls around the world.”
She said, “I am grateful that Apple knows the value of investing in girls and is joining the Malala Fund in the fight to ensure all girls can learn and lead without fear.”
Since 2013, the Malala Fund has been working in partnership with other organizations, the private sector and governments around the world to realize every girl’s right to 12 years of free, safe, quality education.
