ISLAMABAD: Four million girls in developing countries will fail to complete their education this year due to climate change-related events, Malala Yousafzai said on Friday.

The 23-year-old Pakistani Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during an online event organized by British think-tank Chatham House.

UNESCO data shows that before the coronavirus outbreak, some 130 million girls worldwide were already out of school and some 10 percent of them may not return to classes after the pandemic.

“The Malala Fund has estimated that this year, climate-related events could prevent up to four million girls from lower-income countries from completing their education,” Malala said.

The UN’s children’s agency, UNICEF, also links climate change-related disasters to early marriage, which results in girls failing to complete their education.

“When families are affected by climate change disasters — such as floods, droughts — girls are the first ones to leave their homes, take on the household responsibilities or to get married,” Malala said.

“We know women and girls in low-income countries are disproportionately affected ... The people who have contributed least to climate change are suffering some of the worst effects.”

Girls who stay in school marry later and have fewer children, which helps reduce the impact of climate change and overpopulation.

Educating girls and young women, Malala said, could be part of solving the climate crisis in their communities.

“When women and girls are educated, that brings, you know, stronger, low-carbon economies and creates a more equal workforce,” she said.

“They can become farmers, conservationists, solar technicians, they can fill other green jobs as well. Problem-solving skills can allow them to help their communities to adapt to climate change.”

Malala drew international attention with her blog in which she wrote about hopes for a better future and education for girls. Her fame incensed the Pakistani Taliban who in 2012 ordered her murder and shot the then-15-year-old as she rode home on a bus from school.

She recovered after months of treatment at home and abroad.

She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, sharing the award with Kailash Satyarthi, a children’s rights activist from India.

During the Chatham House talk, she called on world leaders to pay attention to young climate activists.

“Listen to young people who are leading the climate movement,” she said. “Young people are reminding our leaders that climate education and climate justice should be their priority.”