Malala Yousafzai Visits Nigeria to Rally for Release of Kidnapped Nigerian Schoolgirls
Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani teen who survived a Taliban attack on her life, has taken a trip to Nigeria to urge the Muslim radical group Boko Haram to release 216 kidnapped schoolgirls.
Yousafzai met with the Nigerian president Monday, on her 17th birthday, and said he agreed to meet -- for the first time -- with the parents of the kidnapped girls, according to The Associated Press.
More than 270 schoolgirls were kidnapped from the town of Chibok in northeastern Nigeria in mid-April. Since then, several have reportedly escaped, but more than 200 are still missing.
Boko Haram recently mocked the social media slogan that sparked worldwide interest and support for the return of the girls, according to NBC.
Yousafzai has become a famous voice against strict and radical Muslim groups after having survived a shot to the head from a Taliban group in October 2012. The attack on her life was a direct response to her bravery in pursuing freedom of education for women, which she posted on a blog.
"My birthday wish this year is 'Bring Back Our Girls' now and alive," she said, using the social media slogan, according to AP. "Lay down your weapons. Release your sisters. Release my sisters. Release the daughters of this nation. Let them be free. They have committed no crime."
Boko Haram has kept the girls captive in an attempt to bargain the release of several of their fighters, which have been jailed by the government. They have threatened to sell the girls as brides.
Yousafzai spoke against the custom of child brides, saying it was wrong for girls to be robbed of a childhood and to give birth when they themselves are still children.
While on her visit, Yousafzai also asked the Nigerian government to increase funding for education.
Soon after the attack, the Nigerian government claimed to know where the girls were, but none have been rescued.
Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has not met with the parents and has blocked activists from peacefully approaching him at the presidential villa in May, according to AP.
He said that the goal of bringing back the girls is to bring them back alive and that the criticism on his governments actions have been to harsh.
Amid the battle to release the girls, Boko Haram has continued to bomb parts of the country.
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