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UNITED NATIONS — Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager shot by the Taliban for promoting education for girls, called on world leaders to provide free compulsory schooling for every child in a U.N. address on Friday timed to coincide with her 16th birthday.

Speaking to youth leaders from more than 100 countries, she called for “a global struggle against illiteracy, poverty and terrorism.”

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“Let us pick up our books and our pens,” she said. “They are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution.”





The U.N. has declared July 12 “Malala Day,” to honor the teen who returned to school in March after medical treatment in Britain for injuries suffered in the October attack.

“We must not forget that millions of children are out of their schools,” the 16-year-old said. “Let us wage a global struggle against illiteracy, poverty and terrorism.”