Apple Partners With Malala Fund to Expand Education for Girls

Apple has announced that it will become the Malala Fund's first Laureate partner, enabling a significant expansion of the organization's efforts to support education and advocate for equal opportunity for girls.

Founded in 2013 and led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, the Malala Fund champions every girl's right to twelve years of free, safe, quality education. Apple, which declined to reveal the dollar amount associated with the grant, will help the fund expand its efforts by assisting with technology, curriculum, and research on the policy changes needed to make it possible for girls everywhere to attend school and complete their education. Announced during this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the support will enable the fund to double the number of grants awarded by its Gulmakai Network — which currently supports programs in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Nigeria — and expand its programs to India and Latin America, with an initial goal of providing secondary education opportunities to more than a hundred thousand girls. Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, also will join the fund's leadership council.

"My dream is for every girl to choose her own future," said Yousafzai. "Through both their innovations and philanthropy, Apple has helped educate and empower people around the world. I am grateful that Apple knows the value of investing in girls and is joining Malala Fund in the fight to ensure all girls can learn and lead without fear."

"We believe that education is a great equalizing force, and we share Malala Fund's commitment to give every girl an opportunity to go to school," said Cook. "Malala 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."