literacy

Global leaders are overlooking one of their most valuable weapons in the fight against everything from climate change to economic turmoil. Jordan's Queen Rania on the surprise solution to many of the world's most intractable problems.

Use whatever cliché you like: shooting ourselves in the foot; one arm tied behind our backs; sailing at half mast. The condition of millions of women and girls around the world is so illogical it verges on the absurd.

Seven years ago, the international community gathered in Dakar and pledged to achieve Education for All by the year 2015. The goals include expanding early childhood care and education; providing free, compulsory primary education; promoting learning and life skills; increasing adult literacy by 50 per cent; achieving gender equality, and ensuring quality education for all.

The following morning, work began.

Morocco, like Jordan, understands the importance of educating girls. We know that if you get girls into schools and keep them there, you can change the course of a nation, because the benefits ripple through society in the form of healthier families, reduced child and maternal mortality, enhanced economic productivity, and greater protection from HIV/AIDS.