Islamabad Web desk: Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai has voiced strong criticism of the Taliban, accusing them of depriving women and girls of their fundamental right to education for over a decade.
Speaking at a global conference on “Girls’ Education in Muslim Societies: Opportunities and Challenges,” Malala shared her emotional connection to Pakistan, saying, “I began my journey from Pakistan, and my heart will always remain there.”
Highlighting the grim reality, Malala pointed out that 120 million girls globally are out of school, with 12.5 million of them in Pakistan alone.
Acknowledging the conference’s organizers, the Muslim World League, Malala also condemned the destruction of Gaza’s education system by Israel, calling for global attention to restore it.
She stressed the importance of prioritizing Afghan girls’ education, emphasizing, “This conference’s mission is incomplete if we don’t address the plight of Afghan girls. The Taliban have imposed over 100 discriminatory laws against women, stripping them of their basic rights, including education. They don’t see women as humans.”
Malala called for inclusivity, urging the world to ensure that Pakistani girls are part of the global progress. She reaffirmed, “Every girl deserves 12 years of quality education.”
The conference concluded with Malala being honored with an Award of Excellence from the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League, recognizing her tireless advocacy for girls’ education worldwide.