The BBC reports that girls are missing out on schooling worldwide:

Unicef executive director Carol Bellamy said: "Education is about more than just learning. In many countries it's a life-saver, especially where girls are concerned.

"A girl out of school is more likely to fall prey to HIV/Aids and less able to raise a healthy family."

Drop-outs

In South Asia, Unicef says, progress has been made, but not enough.

Across the region, 42 million children do not go to school.

Afghanistan and Pakistan have the widest gender gaps.

For Pakistan to have the same number of girls as boys in school by 2015, it would have to increase girls' school attendance by more than 3% each year.

In eastern and central Europe, there is cause for concern too.

The introduction of fees for tuition, schoolbooks and uniforms has led to rising drop-out rates - and girls drop out sooner than boys.

Belarus and Tajikistan will not achieve gender equality, neither will Turkey.

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