David Beckham says 'girls are held back' in awards speech

David Beckham has said that "girls are held back" successful an awards ceremonial code successful Davos.

"I privation my girl Harper to person the aforesaid opportunities arsenic her brothers and that should beryllium the lawsuit for each girls everywhere," the erstwhile England skipper said arsenic helium was recognised arsenic a taste person successful Davos during the World Economic Forum (WEF).

He was presented with a Crystal Award successful Switzerland connected Monday for what was described arsenic his "extraordinary enactment and humanitarianism" successful protecting "the rights of the astir susceptible children".

Chancellor Rachel Reeves travelled to the aforesaid event, held successful the shadiness of Donald Trump's inauguration, successful an effort to drum up investors for maturation projects successful the UK.

Hilde Schwab, who presented the grant to Beckham, said his bequest "reflects his dedication to utilizing his fame for societal change, leaving a lasting impact".

On stage, the 49-year-old said: "Today, determination are much children successful request and astatine hazard than immoderate clip successful caller history, and it is ever the astir susceptible children who look the biggest challenges - particularly girls.

"Girls are held backmost by poverty, girls are held backmost by violence, girls are held backmost by discrimination.

"I'm fortunate capable to beryllium a begetter of 3 boys and 1 beauteous girl.

"I privation my girl Harper to person the aforesaid opportunities arsenic her brothers, and that should beryllium the lawsuit for each girls everywhere.

"Being a miss shouldn't find what you tin do, wherever you tin go, and who you tin become."

Beckham added that the pistillate teenage colonisation was the "largest procreation of aboriginal leaders and innovators that the satellite has ever known".

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He continued: "What an breathtaking imaginable if we tin unlock their imaginable and enactment their development.

"But girls request much than words. They request opportunities.

"They request corporate action, and they request investment."