It has clearly been proven that maternal education reduces infant mortality.

UNESCO: HIV and AIDS

This includes virtual parity between boys and girls in primary education and significant drops in child and maternal mortality.

FORBES: Global Change Starts with Girls

The Mother's Index uses indicators of maternal health and under-five mortality, as well as women's education, income and political status.

BBC: UK fails to make top 20 in mother's index

It increases child death and maternal death, increases divorce and broken families, increases population and decreases female education and empowerment.

CNN: Dreaming of more than a wedding

Irina Bokova underscored that UNESCO has been making a strong plea for education to be recognized as the key to reducing poverty, improving child and maternal health, fighting HIV and AIDS, and empowering girls and women.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES