RASC News Agency: Malala Yousafzai, a prominent advocate for women’s rights and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, recently issued a statement regarding the Taliban’s stance on girls in Afghanistan. According to her, the Taliban deems being a girl in Afghanistan as an illegal act and a crime. Yousafzai addressed this matter during a speech commemorating the 10th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death, denoting the Taliban regime as “gender apartheid,” as reported by The Associated Press on Tuesday, December 5th.
She underscored that the discriminatory actions of the Taliban towards Afghanistani women should be recognized as a crime against humanity. Yousafzai urged the international community to acknowledge gender apartheid as such, emphasizing the importance of accurately labeling the Taliban regime in Afghanistan for what it truly represents: “gender apartheid.” She stressed the need to explicitly define gender apartheid and seize the opportunity to do so.
Furthermore, Yousafzai shed light on the dire consequences faced by girls deprived of education by the Taliban, with some turning to drugs or even resorting to suicide. She expressed concern that the international community’s focus has shifted away from the plight of Afghanistani women and girls due to crises in Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. It is noteworthy that Yousafzai had previously criticized the Taliban’s policies towards Afghanistani women. The Taliban’s control over the country has led to the violation of basic rights for Afghanistani women and girls, encompassing education, employment, and freedom of movement. Reports indicate that the Taliban has also imposed restrictions on their attire.