Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and global advocate for girls’ education, has sharply criticized the Taliban’s policies in Afghanistan, stating that they “do not see women as human.” Speaking at an event in Pakistan on Sunday, Malala urged Muslim leaders to challenge the repressive policies of the Taliban government, particularly those restricting the schooling and employment of girls and women.
Her comments come in the wake of the Taliban’s recent actions, including banning female education beyond primary school levels and prohibiting women from most forms of employment. Malala, who herself was shot by a Taliban gunman in 2012 for advocating girls’ education, described these policies as having no basis in Islam. “There is nothing Islamic about the Taliban’s policies,” she stated, pointing out that these restrictions create a “system of gender apartheid.”
The 27-year-old activist, who was evacuated from Pakistan at the age of 15 for her safety, emphasized the need for Muslim leaders to speak out against these oppressive measures. She argued that the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law, which they enforce strictly, contradicts the fundamental principles of Islam concerning education and human rights.
Malala’s critique is part of a broader international outcry against the Taliban’s governance in Afghanistan since they regained control in 2021. Her remarks align with numerous reports from human rights organizations and international bodies, which have condemned the Taliban for creating an environment of fear, repression, and discrimination against women and girls.
The United Nations, along with various NGOs, has called for investigations into what they term “gender persecution” as potentially constituting crimes against humanity. Freedom of expression has also been severely curtailed, with critics of the Taliban facing enforced disappearances, unlawful detentions, and torture.
The Afghan Taliban, having established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in 1996, have historically been known for their strict interpretation of Sharia law, which during their rule from 1996 to 2001 led to widespread human rights abuses, including the destruction of cultural monuments, massacres, and severe restrictions on women’s rights.
Malala’s speech in Pakistan, a country that has also faced its share of Islamist militancy, serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality in regions under extremist influence. Her call to action for Muslim leaders to denounce these policies is seen as a strategic move to leverage religious and cultural authority within the Muslim world to pressure for change in Afghanistan.
Malala’s activism and her latest remarks continue to spotlight the plight of Afghan women and girls under Taliban rule, pushing for global awareness and action to ensure that education and basic human rights are accessible to all, regardless of gender.
