UNITED NATIONS GIRLS EDUCATION INITIATIVE

New York, 23 September 2011 - Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan met with Cheryl Gregory Faye, Head of the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI) Secretariat, and Maria Calivis, UNICEF’s outgoing Chief of Staff and incoming Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, on 20 September, to discuss how UNGEI is contributing toward the progress in girls’ education and what needs to be done to bridge the gaps.

HM Queen Rania has long been a powerful advocate for children, and was appointed as UNICEF’s first Eminent Advocate for Children in 2007 and UNGEI Honorary Global Chair in 2009. She has worked tirelessly to advocate for girls who are denied of any education.

At the meeting, HM reiterated her commitment to ensure that every girl – regardless of wealth, geographic location, ethnicity, class or disability – has access to and receives a quality education.

H.M. Queen Rania is in New York to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative and other global events.