[It is] a key development issue. Every year that a girl is in school is a progressive step towards ending poverty.

For example, UNICEF works with governments to change legislation such as in India where a law was passed raising the age of compulsory school completion to keep children in school and away from the workplace for longer.

It's the perfect ending, the perfect ending to a high school career.

In working with UNICEF our corporate partners have demonstrated time and again that their financial resources, leadership and expertise can bring about real and lasting benefits for the world's children.

And each of us can practice rights ourselves, treating each other without discrimination, respecting each other's dignity and rights.

Until we stand up and first of all shine the light on it, until we identify the countries where it's happening, until women feel they can be protected enough to speak out, which they do not feel -- women and girls -- these days, we're not going to be able to do very much.