Global: 90M girls worldwide missing primary school education because of pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, other factors, UNICEF reports

About 90 million girls worldwide are not receiving primary school education, compared with 25 million boys, because of factors including HIV/AIDS, early marriage and teen pregnancy, according to a UNICEF report, the AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. Poverty, war, natural catastrophes and traditional gender roles are other factors that keep girls out of school, according to the report, titled "Gender Achievements and Prospects in Education". As a result, almost 50 countries will fall short of reaching a U.N. Millennium Development Goal target of achieving gender parity in primary education by the end of this year. Lack of education puts girls at greater risk of contracting HIV and other diseases, as well as becoming victims of violence, abuse, poverty and exploitation, the report says.