Protecting girls around the world

>>> the attack on malala yousafzai only underscores the significance of today because it is the u.n.'s inaugural international day of the girl child. events focusing on the discrimination and violence girls face every day around the world often for simply pursuing basic rights like an education. marking this event today secretary of state hillary clinton joined by archbishop desmond tutu cited malala's heroism.

>> yesterday's attack reminds us of the challenges that girls face, whether it's poverty or marginalization or even violence, just for speaking out for their basic rights .

>> joining me now, malan risk veer, the state department ambassador at large for women's issues. a position that you have created and expanded and traveled around the world to many of these very, very dangerous places. let's talk about malala and what she represents because you've spent time in pakistan , spent time in afghanistan, you know about the attempts to expand girls and women's rights and also the entrenchment in some parts.

>> first of all, it's a barbaric be act that was committed against her. she like so many other girls , desperately want to go to school. they want to be able to have full lives. they want their potential to be able to be tapped. and they don't want to be circumscribed by the kinds of things that are happening whether in pakistan or in afghanistan. i think the fact that in pakistan , the leaders have spoken out so strongly whether the military or the government is a very good sign because what these actions must get in response to them is the kind of commitment on the part of leaders that these are crimes, these cannot go on, they must be prosecuted, these are matters where justice really needs to be done. there are many, many of these kinds of acts, violence girls is a global epidemic. and we have to stop marginalizing the kinds of actions and understand what a toll they take on human rights , what a toll they take on the lives of people whose lives are shortchanged as a result. they take tolls on economies, on public health . these are very, very serious matters. and they really deserve attention at the highest levels of government.

>> well, i can attest to the fact in every place hillary clinton goes, she does an event with women or meets with people and reaches out so she's made a mainstream issue of diplomacy. now she is talking today about a global initial to end child marriage by 2030 . talk to me about that.

>> it exacts a toll on girls . one in seven girls under the age of 15 in the developing world is in a child marriage . that means in many ways the life is snuffed out. she doesn't get an opportunity to go to school, to enjoy all the things she should be guaranteed. it also means very frequently that she will bear children very early. she will more often than not suffer terrible health consequences. often death. and the children that she has will also be shortchanged because she herself lacks an education. so today was a wonderful observance as you said the international day of the girl. and it was a commitment that the secretary made in the presence of archbishop tutu which is the chairman of the elders, you know, the great former leaders who have come together. they have made a commitment to ending child marriage by 2030 . and we were joined by representatives of foundations by other u.n. representatives, by representatives of the u.s. government , like a.i.d. all of whom significant commitments to addressing the huge problem and one of the biggest antidotes we know to keep a girl in school because if she stays in school and gets an education, there will be less opportunity for her to find herself in the circumstances of so many other girls . so huge commitments today to keep girls in school and help them transition to secondary school .

>> thank you so much for what you're doing. thank you for being here.

>> thank you, andrea.