Ban Ki-Moon speaks with Malala!

As of 5 April, only 1,000 days remain until the end of the 2015 target date for achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The eight MDGs – which range from halving extreme poverty to promoting gender equality to providing universal primary education by the target date of 2015 – form an internationally agreed blueprint which countries and leading development institutions have signed onto. Since their adoption in 2000, the MDGs have made a huge difference, helping to set global and national priorities and fuel action on the ground. They have raised awareness and shaped a broad vision for development work across the world.

The MDGs are not just abstract or aspirational targets. Achieving the Goals is about ensuring certain basic human rights for all, and making a real difference in people’s lives. UN Women is actively working on the achievement of the MDGs, for which women and girls play a pivotal role, as well as for MDG3, which specifically focuses on promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Snapshot of Progress: MDG targets for reducing poverty[i], improving access to safe drinking water[ii], and improving the lives of 200 million slum dwellers[iii] have been met. More kids than ever are attending primary school[iv] with parity achieved between boys and girls[v]. Child deaths have dropped dramatically[vi], and targeted investments in fighting malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis have saved millions of lives[vii].

While significant progress has already been made, gaps still remain. Much more needs to be done, particularly when it comes to implementation on the ground, including for achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, and addressing the gender dimensions of the all the eight goals. Studies also show that millions of people – particularly the poorest and most marginalized, minorities, women and girls – are being left behind.

We have 1,000 Days to the end of 2015 – 1,000 Days for Action.

As he kicked off the campaign “MDG Momentum – 1,000 Days of Action” in Spain, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon highlighted the Millennium Development Goal of education by speaking to Malala Yousufzai.

Malala is the young Pakistani teenager who in October 2012 was shot in the head and neck for opposing Pakistani Taliban restrictions on female education in the Swat area of Pakistan.

Immediately following the attack, Malala was unconscious and in critical condition. But her condition gradually improved through rehabilitation in the United Kingdom.

On Friday, in a Skype conversation with the Secretary-General, she thanked him and the international community for their support.

 

SG: “It’s a great pleasure to see you in good health now!

Malala: Yes, I am in good health and it’s because all of the people all around the world, especially you, you have all prayed for my life and you can see I can move my arms, I can talk, I can even walk. I can do anything!”

In addition to education, the Millennium Development Goals target for action poverty and hunger, gender equality, child mortality, maternal health, combating AIDS, malaria and other diseases, environmental sustainability and a global partnership for development.

LISTEN HERE: Gerry Adams, United Nations