Education activist Malala Yousafzai has donated all the proceeds from the sale of a portrait to Nigerian charities focused on education and advocacy for girls and women.
The portrait fetched $102,500 (N16.4m) at an auction on Wednesday in New York.
Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by Taliban militant in Pakistan for advocating girls’ right to education, said she was shocked and saddened when she learned that more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls had been kidnapped from their school by the rebel group Boko Haram in an April 15 raid.“I am very concerned about these innocent girls — my sisters — whose only crime was going to school and learnings. I was shocked and saddened when I heard about the abduction of more than 200 girls by terrorists in Nigeria.
“I am very concerned about these innocent girls, my sisters, whose only crime was going to school and learning. I believe it is our duty to stand together in solidarity with their parents, families and relatives. We all have a voice and we must speak up and call on the international community and the government of Nigeria to intervene and bring these girls back to their homes safely. Together we can create a world where no child will be out of school and no student will fear for her or his safety.” the 16-year-old said.
The painting was done in 2013 by leading British artist Jonathan Yeo and shows Malala after she started attending a school in Birmingham, England, where she now lives.