Michelle and Letizia demanding equality for women – Diario El País

The US first lady, Michelle Obama, called on developed countries to initiate a cultural change that takedown “different yardsticks” that apply to women and men, and that true equality is not only achieved with laws but also changing the “minds and hearts”.

Michelle Obama offered on Thursday in Madrid an emotional speech to 600 students of Spanish university and public schools, who urged to add their efforts to this necessary transformation.

“I know you have much to offer the world, I he can not wait to see your success, “he argued

.

came to Madrid accompanied by her daughters, Malia and Sasha, and her mother, Marian Robinson, on a visit framed within the program Let girls learn (Let the girls learn), after passing through Liberia and Morocco.

In those countries has talked with children and adolescents who face daily dangers to study, from long walks to get to school to sexual harassment, or who, when they reach a certain age, they are forced to leave school to marry and still try to continue studying because they “want a better future”.

“This reality would be unbearable for most of us,” said Michelle, who has asked gathered to add their voice to the efforts of these young and not resign themselves to feel sorry for them, because their future is not just the responsibility of their governments, but of the global community.

the plight of these children and adolescents is not only due to” lack of resources “also has to do with prejudice, and cultural beliefs that are considered” second class citizens “and valued for its body, their reproductive capacity or work above his human condition.

Michelle Obama asked the congregated in the cultural center of Madrid Matadero incorporate this challenge to his life and fight inequality from society.

“When you educate your children, tell the child can mourn if you want it, and if it is a girl, nothing happens for being authoritarian; will encourage her to study mathematics or to play football, “he encouraged. He shared with the youth his own experience, that of a girl born into a poor black family in the United States, which forced her to” let the skin “to graduate, and when he did, the first thing that is asked him when he would start a family.

“the cultural message he received was that men and women are measured by different poles, “complained Obama, who acknowledges that many things have improved, but there is still work to be done.

This inequality, he warned, affects both men and women because a parent “wants to spend as much time with her children as a mother” and also wants his daughters to have the same opportunities as anyone else.

the queen Letizia he joined the act and encouraged young Spanish. she asked them to work on the “exciting” task of “educating women” in the world, because education of girls “transforms, protects” and linked to ” social justice and democracy, “family welfare” to promote equality “and better health and nutrition.

the queen of Spain reminded the young people if Baktay, Afghan six year old star of the film “Buddha Collapsed out of shame”, a bitter story about a six-year struggle and is pursued by studying in Afghanistan.