WASHINGTON - The United States welcomed Malala Yousafzai's speech at the United Nations, saying she made a ‘wonderful set of remarks’ about the importance of education for girls.
Responding to a question at the daily press briefing in Washington, State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said her bravery in the face of such violence is inspirational.
Malala's speech to the U.N. Youth Assembly marking her 16th birthday hit the headlines in the American print and electronic media calling it ‘powerful’, ‘impassioned’ and ‘moving.’
“Education for girls is critical," Spokesperson Psaki said. "It’s an issue we care deeply about, and it’s key to both political and economic progress, and certainly we discuss a range of issues, as you know, with the Pakistani government."
The New York Times praised her speech, saying "she spoke in a calm, self-assured voice as she delivered her first major speech since she was shot on the left side of her head October 9 on her way home from school in Pakistan’s Swat Valley."
The Times also carried a dispatch from London saying that "Taliban militants have pressed their violent campaign against girls’ education in north-western Pakistan, attacking more than 800 schools in the region since 2009.
"From that time, Ms. Yousafzai was an outspoken critic of the Taliban campaign," it said. Alexandra Petri wrote in the Washington Post, "The power of Malala’s voice should certainly frighten them (the terrorists).
"The United Nations declared it Malala Day — if anyone’s earned it, she has. But she insists that it’s a day about giving a voice to the countless others whose voices haven’t been heard," Petri wrote.
"She’s a tremendous testament to the cause of education and speech she champions. Hearing her words, you can see why the Taliban was so fearful of a teenage girl. Hers is a powerful voice. "She’s not just impressive for a 16-year-old; she’s impressive for a human being of any age."
The Christian Science Monitor commented, "The confidence radiating from the young activist, who wore a vivid pink shawl once owned by assassinated Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, belies the staggering challenges that still face education activists around the world."
The Wall Street Journal noted, "Yousafzai, a vocal supporter of education rights for girls when Taliban made her a target, advocated access to free schooling for all children in her speech.