Global Efforts to Promote Girls’ Education in the Islamic World
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai has returned to her native Pakistan to attend a summit on girls’ education in the Islamic world, which has been snubbed by Afghanistan’s Taliban government.
Challenges in Ensuring Equitable Access to Education for Girls
The summit, which brings together education leaders from Muslim-majority countries, has highlighted the significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to education for girls. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of education, stating, "Denying education to girls is tantamount to denying their voice and their choice, while depriving them of their right to a bright future."
Pakistan’s Education Crisis
Pakistan is facing its own severe education crisis, with over 26 million children out of school, making it one of the highest numbers in the world. The country’s education minister, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, revealed that Islamabad had extended an invitation to Kabul, but no one from the Afghan government attended the conference.
The Afghan Taliban’s Imposition of Islamic Law
Since returning to power in 2021, the Afghan Taliban government has imposed an austere version of Islamic law, which the UN has called "gender apartheid." Malala Yousafzai, who was shot by Pakistan Taliban militants in 2012, will address the conference on Sunday and speak about "why leaders must hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes against Afghan women & girls."
Call to Action
Malala Yousafzai expressed her happiness to be back in Pakistan, stating, "I’m truly honoured, overwhelmed and happy to be back in Pakistan." She emphasized the importance of education, saying, "The entire Muslim world has agreed that girls education is important, and those who say that girls education is un-Islamic are wrong."
Conclusion
The summit on girls’ education in the Islamic world has brought together education leaders from Muslim-majority countries to address the significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to education for girls. The Afghan Taliban’s imposition of Islamic law and the Pakistan government’s efforts to promote girls’ education have been highlighted, with Malala Yousafzai’s powerful message emphasizing the importance of education and accountability for the Taliban’s crimes against Afghan women and girls.
FAQs
- What is the purpose of the summit on girls’ education in the Islamic world?
- The summit aims to address the significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to education for girls in Muslim-majority countries.
- Why has the Afghan Taliban government not attended the summit?
- The Afghan Taliban government has not attended the summit due to its imposition of Islamic law, which has been criticized by the UN and other international organizations.
- What is Malala Yousafzai’s message for the summit?
- Malala Yousafzai will speak about "why leaders must hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes against Afghan women & girls."