MALALA -PUSHES FOR- GIRLS : EDUCATION AFGHANS

Washington : Pakistani education and women's rights activist Malala Yusafzai, on Monday held a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and advocated for the right of Afghan women and girls to education and work.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner met with Bllnken and other officials at the State Department to urge greater focus on the millions of girls in Afghanistan being denied an education.

''Afghanistan is the only country right now that girls do not have access to secondary education,'' Malala told Blinken. '' They're prohibited from learning.

Before meeting, Blinken described Malala Yousafzai before camera as ''truly an inspiration - an inspiration to us, an inspiration to girls and women around the world'' and as someone ''making a real difference,'' particularly when it comes to education.

He said she was there to offer ideas as the Biden administration holds gender equity worldwide as a critical issue.

''So, I'm very much looking forward to talking to her about the work that she's doing, and the work that we're doing, and to hear from her, her ideas about how to be more effective at making sure - as we're working for gender equity - that girls and women have access to education,'' Blinken said.

'' Welcome - it's so good to have you.''

Malala, when it was her turn to speak, immediately raised the education disparities currently affecting Afghanistan. [AFP]