UNITED NATIONS GIRLS EDUCATION INITIATIVE

NEW YORK, NY, 29 February 2012 - The United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI) will host a panel discussion entitled “Empowering Rural Girls: From Invisibility to Agency” in partnership with UN Women, UNICEF, and Plan International as a side event of the 56th Commission on the Status of Women. The event will feature an interactive discussion around the complex realities and challenges of the lives of rural girls, with a focus on their economic, political and social empowerment.

The panel invites three youth delegates from rural areas in Malawi, Sierra Leone and Pakistan to share their experiences and will be joined by Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director, UN Women and Ms. Marta Santos Pais, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children to discuss the issues and offer solutions. Ms. Lynne Featherstone MP, UK Minister for Equalities will give opening remarks.

The event will take place on the 1 March 2012, 13:00 - 15:00 pm at the Danny Kaye visitor center, UNICEF House. A light lunch will be served on a first come first served basis.

Guests are advised to come on time as space is limited.

The event will webcast live via the UNGEI Facebook page.

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