Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has denounced the Taliban for their oppressive policies towards women, asserting that the group “does not view women as human beings.” She criticized their decade-long denial of education to Afghan girls and called for accountability for their violations of women’s rights.
Speaking at the international conference Women’s Education in Muslim Societies: Challenges and Opportunities in Islamabad, Malala highlighted the Taliban’s over 100 laws restricting women’s freedoms. “Afghan girls have been stripped of their basic right to education, which is a fundamental violation of human dignity,” she said.
The two-day summit, hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in collaboration with the Muslim World League, brought together 150 delegations from 44 countries to discuss challenges in advancing girls’ education in Muslim-majority nations.
Malala emphasized the global scale of the education crisis, pointing out that 120 million girls worldwide, including 12.5 million in Pakistan, remain out of school. She stressed, “Every girl has the right to complete 12 years of education.”
Criticism of Global Injustices
Malala also condemned the destruction of Gaza’s education infrastructure due to Israeli attacks. She stated, “Israel’s actions have devastated Gaza’s education system, depriving countless children of access to learning.”
She commended the Muslim World League’s efforts in organizing the conference and urged unified global action to address the education crisis. She called for holding governments accountable for obstructing girls’ education and reiterated the urgency of addressing the plight of Afghan girls.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who inaugurated the event, stressed the importance of building a global network involving governments, Islamic organizations, and civil society to promote girls’ education. OIC Secretary General Hussain Brahim Taha and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar were also present.
Malala’s remarks underscored the need for firm action against the Taliban’s oppressive policies. “This conference’s mission will be incomplete if we do not address the education of Afghan girls and hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes,” she stated.
This marks Malala’s third visit to Pakistan since surviving a TTP attack in Swat Valley in 2012. Her previous visit in 2022 focused on raising awareness about climate change-induced floods.
In her closing remarks, Malala expressed her enduring connection to Pakistan, saying, “I began my journey here, and my heart will always belong to Pakistan.”
The Secretary General of the Muslim World League presented Malala with an honorary shield, recognizing her unwavering advocacy for girls’ education.
