Story highlights
- U.S. first lady unveils a $200 million UK-U.S. partnership in global education
- Girls who get "quality education" are better able to raise healthy children, earn a decent living, Obama's office says
- Special attention and portions of the funds will be devoted "to countries affected by conflict and crisis"
(CNN)First
lady Michelle Obama, on a visit to London on Tuesday, announced a new
partnership between the United States and United Kingdom to improve
girls' access to education around the world.
The
two countries are launching "a nearly $200 million partnership to
continue their collective support for adolescent girls' education,"
according to a news release from Obama's office. Obama met with Prime
Minister David Cameron to officially announce the initiative.
Special
attention and portions of the funds will be devoted "to countries
affected by conflict and crisis," with the Democratic Republic of the
Congo set to receive $180 million over five years, benefiting "more than
755,000 girls aged 10 to 18," according to the press release.
And
the United States and United Kingdom will collaborate to improve girls'
access to education by enrolling students in accelerated primary school
programs, reducing barriers to school access and mobilizing parental
and community support. Both countries will also try to improve the
quality of materials used in teaching and learning, and to improve
school governance.
The United States
and United Kingdom will share data on adolescent girls' education from
various advocacy and academic organizations, including the University of
Cambridge and Georgetown University, and "produce research and provide
guidance and technical support" through USAID's Education in Conflict
and Crisis Network.
Education makes girls 'more likely' to raise educated families
Additionally,
the partnership will encourage other advocacy organizations to
"collaborate and share community-based solutions" to assist vulnerable
girls, with the U.S. Peace Corps and U.K.'s Campaign for Female
Education set to share "best practices" developed based on their
experience.
The press release said that "62 million girls are out of school around the world."
And
it said that "when a girl receives a quality education, she is more
likely to earn a decent living, raise a healthy, educated family and
improve the quality of life for herself, her family and her community."
The
release said that "girls' attendance in secondary school is also
correlated with later marriage, later childbearing, lower maternal and
infant mortality rates, lower birth rates, lower rates of HIV/AIDs and
significantly higher earning power."
As
part of her "Let Girls Learn" initiative, Obama also met with students
in London to discuss how the two countries are working together to
expand access to girls education around the world.
Earlier
Tuesday, Obama met with Prince Harry at Kensington Palace, where they
talked about "Let Girls Learn" and their interest in supporting veterans
and their families.
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