Apple and Malala Yousafzai partner up to fight for girls' education

Apple CEO Tim Cook and Nobel Prize-winning activist Malala Yousafzai are working together to ensure girls around the world receive a proper education.

Apple announced on Sunday it's becoming the first Laureate partner for The Malala Fund, Yousafzai's philanthropic organization. In the role, Apple will be working to support and expand the 20-year-old's efforts to give girls 12 years of "free, safe, quality education."

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When Cook and Yousafzai met three months ago in England, they quickly knew they wanted to work together to better the world. "We started talking and it became so clear that the values we share were so aligned. It was then a matter of what to do together not a matter of whether," Cook told ABC News.

The two recently visited Lebanese and Syrian students in Beirut, Lebanon, together.

As for why he decided to involve Apple in this fight, Cook, who will serve on the Malala Fund's leadership council, said in a statement: "We believe that education is a great equalizing force, and we share Malala Fund’s commitment to give every girl an opportunity to go to school."

"Malala is a courageous advocate for equality," Cook went on. "She’s one of the most inspiring figures of our time, and we are honored to help her extend the important work she is doing to empower girls around the world."

Apple's involvement is expected to double the number of grants given to the Malala Fund, while extending funding programs to places like India and Latin America, the company noted in a press release.

The initial goal is to provide more than 100,000 girls with secondary education opportunities. Currently, an estimated 130 million girls are out of school.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

While Apple works to lend technological and curriculum-based assistance to the fund, the company will also spend time researching potential policy changes that could further improve Yousafzai's efforts.

Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in Pakistan in 2012 for advocating for women's right to education, has been working tirelessly throughout the years to improve the statistics surrounding women attending school.

"My dream is for every girl to choose her own future," Yousafzai said in a statement.

The advocate, who recently started classes at Oxford University, went on to explain how hopeful she is about the partnership with Apple.

"Through both their innovations and philanthropy, Apple has helped educate and empower people around the world. I am grateful that Apple knows the value of investing in girls and is joining Malala Fund in the fight to ensure all girls can learn and lead without fear."