Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has called on Muslim leaders to take a stand against gender apartheid and speak out against the Taliban's treatment of women and girls. At a summit on girls' education in Muslim communities in Pakistan, Yousafzai emphasized the importance of Muslim voices in addressing the policies of the Taliban, who have restricted girls' access to education.
Yousafzai highlighted the dire situation in Afghanistan, where teenage girls are being deprived of their future due to the Taliban's oppressive measures. She urged Muslim leaders to use their influence and power to advocate for gender equality and condemn the Taliban's actions.
The Taliban claim to uphold women's rights based on their interpretation of Afghan culture and Islamic law. However, Yousafzai's impassioned plea for Muslim leaders to challenge the Taliban's oppressive laws underscores the urgent need for change.
The summit, organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Muslim World League, brought together ministers and scholars from Muslim-majority countries to address issues related to girls' education and gender equality.
Yousafzai, who survived a targeted attack by the Pakistani Taliban for advocating girls' education, emphasized the importance of standing up against injustice and supporting efforts to combat gender apartheid as a crime against humanity under international law.
The summit, hosted by Pakistan, also highlighted the strained relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, with accusations of cross-border attacks leading to tensions between the two nations.
