GIRLS' EDUCATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

That this House notes with concern that more than 100 million children around the world are unable to go to school, almost 60 per cent. of whom are girls; is very disappointed that the Millennium Development Goal for Eliminating Gender Disparity in Primary and Secondary Education by 2005 has been missed; looks forward to the UK presidencies of the G8 and EU this year and the chance this holds for the UK Government to make a significant difference to gender inequality in education, by consolidating the influence and resources of prosperous countries around this issue; welcomes the new Department for International Development strategy, launched this month by the Chancellor and the International Development Secretary, Girls' Education - Towards A Better Future For All; and hopes this will provide the education so many girls have a right to receive, in order for them to lead healthy, productive, rewarding lives and play a role in decision making and government in their countries.