(Originally published in The Huffington Post)
Education advocates across the world are celebrating Malala Yousafzai’s worldwide recognition. She has turned the horrible attack she suffered in the hands of the Taliban into an opportunity to raise her voice to educate girls everywhere. Such is the following Malala has inspired that many — myself included — were disappointed when she was not awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.
But even with all these accolades, Malala knows that her advocacy is in its infancy. Thirteen years after world leaders committed to providing access to education to all primary-school-aged children by 2015, there are more than 57 million boys and girls out of school. Immediate action is needed, or there could be irreparable consequences.