Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai strongly condemned the Taliban on Sunday for their oppressive treatment of women, stating that the group “does not regard women as human beings” and has denied Afghan girls their right to education for over a decade.
She voiced her concerns during the two-day international conference, “Women’s Education in Muslim Societies: Challenges and Opportunities,” held at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.
Hosted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in collaboration with the Muslim World League, the summit gathered 150 delegations from 44 countries to address challenges faced by girls in Muslim-majority nations.
Malala expressed grave concerns about the state of women’s rights under the Taliban regime. “The Taliban has imposed over 100 laws restricting women’s freedoms. For over a decade, they have deprived Afghan girls of basic education, a fundamental violation of human dignity,” she said.
She highlighted the plight of 120 million girls worldwide who are out of school, including 12.5 million in Pakistan. “Pakistani girls deserve to be part of the world’s vibrant future. Every girl has the right to 12 years of education,” she remarked.
Criticism of Global Injustices
Malala also condemned the destruction of Gaza’s education system due to Israeli attacks. “Israel has dismantled Gaza’s entire education infrastructure, leaving countless children without access to learning,” she noted.
Acknowledging the efforts of the Muslim World League, Malala stressed the urgency of creating a united front to address the education crisis and hold governments accountable for their actions against girls.
In her closing remarks, Malala reiterated her commitment to Pakistan. “I began my journey here, and my heart will always belong to Pakistan,” she said.
At the event, the Secretary General of the Muslim World League honored Malala with a shield in recognition of her relentless advocacy for girls’ education.
