Malala Yousafzai Calls for Global Action on Girls’ Education and Women’s Rights
ISLAMABAD: Nobel laureate and activist Malala Yousafzai urged Muslim leaders to reject the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and condemn their actions as “gender apartheid.” Speaking at the International Conference on Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities, she criticized the Kabul government for systematically depriving Afghan girls of education and condemned Israel for destroying educational institutions in Gaza.
Afghanistan: A Crisis for Girls’ Education
Malala highlighted that the Afghan Taliban have banned education for girls beyond Grade 6, stripping them of their basic rights. “They have weaponized our faith to justify it,” she stated, adding that their policies contradict Islamic teachings. She called on Muslim leaders to “stand up for Afghan women” and refuse to legitimize the Taliban regime.
Condemnation of Israeli Actions
Malala also censured Israel for targeting Gaza’s education system, saying, “Israel has decimated the education system, bombed universities, and destroyed 90% of schools.” She expressed solidarity with Palestinian children, emphasizing their right to education and a future free of violence. “A Palestinian girl cannot have the future she deserves if her school is bombed and her family is killed,” she added.
Challenges in Pakistan
Malala expressed concern about Pakistan’s 12.5 million out-of-school girls, urging investments in education and policy reforms. She emphasized her commitment to ensuring every girl’s right to 12 years of education. “Let us be champions of our faith by being champions for girls and their right to learn,” she declared.
Islamabad Declaration
The conference concluded with a 17-point Islamabad Declaration, which underscored girls’ education as a “religious obligation” and a societal necessity. It condemned extremist ideologies that hinder education, labeling them as a misuse of religious principles.
Key highlights of the declaration include:
- Mobilizing resources to advance education in Islamic countries, especially for girls.
- Offering scholarships to girls affected by poverty, conflict, and other challenges.
- Creating digital resources and specialized programs for individuals with special needs.
- Advocating for laws promoting girls’ education and awareness campaigns led by religious scholars and media experts.
- Disavowing ideologies or entities opposing Islamic principles on education.
The declaration called for ending the misrepresentation of Islam and promoting women’s rights through education, religious lessons, and Friday sermons. It emphasized that ensuring girls’ education is essential for achieving equality and justice in Muslim communities worldwide.
