Malala Yousafzai, a global symbol of resilience and the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate, continues to advocate for women’s rights, this time shining a light on the plight of Afghan women under Taliban rule. With women stripped of fundamental freedoms and facing what the UN calls “gender apartheid,” Malala urges the world to stand in solidarity with their resistance.
The Dire Situation for Afghan Women: A Nation in Darkness
A Rapid Erosion of Women’s Rights
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, women’s rights have been systematically dismantled. Strict “morality laws” enforce dress codes, ban travel without a male chaperone, and prohibit women from looking men in the eye unless related. Even singing is forbidden, marking an extreme regression in personal freedoms.
“The restrictions are just so extreme that it does not even make sense to anybody,” Malala remarked.
The Impact on Education
Education for Afghan women has been decimated:
- Over 1 million girls are out of school.
- Approximately 80% of school-aged girls have no access to education.
- In 2022, 100,000 female university students were banned from attending classes.
Malala emphasizes, “To take away women’s rights, you have to start with the foundation, and that is education.” The lack of education has also led to an increase in child marriages and maternal mortality rates.
Afghan Women’s Resistance: Courage in the Face of Oppression
Despite the bleak circumstances, Afghan women refuse to remain silent. They continue to protest, risking arrest, violence, and even their lives. Malala highlights their bravery:
“Despite all of these challenges, they’re out on their streets and risking their lives to hope for a better world for themselves.”
Bread & Roses: A Documentary of Resilience
Malala is an executive producer of the upcoming documentary Bread & Roses, directed by Afghan filmmaker Sahra Mani. The film chronicles the stories of three Afghan women:
- Zahra, a dentist forced to abandon her practice.
- Taranom, an activist fleeing to the border.
- Sharifa, a government employee stripped of her job and independence.
The documentary, co-produced with actress Jennifer Lawrence, captures not only oppression but also resistance, hope, and the resilience of Afghan women.
“It’s about the 20 million Afghan girls and women whose stories may not make it to our screens,” Malala said.
Global Response and Malala’s Call for Action
The Need for International Pressure
Malala urges the international community to hold the Taliban accountable and restore Afghan women’s rights.
“We really have to question what sort of systems we have put in place to guarantee protection to women in Afghanistan, but also elsewhere,” she said.
Gender Apartheid: A Global Concern
The UN describes the situation as “gender apartheid,” a term that human rights groups like Amnesty International want recognized as an international crime.
A Message of Hope: Learning From Afghan Women
Despite the oppression, Afghan women adapt and persist in their fight for freedom. The title of the documentary, Bread & Roses, draws from an Afghan saying symbolizing autonomy and independence:
“If you find your bread, that means you are the boss of you.”
Malala concludes with a powerful message:
“There’s so much for us to learn from the bravery and courage of these Afghan women. If they are not scared, if they are not losing that courage to stand up to the Taliban, we should learn from them and stand in solidarity.”
What You Can Do
- Raise awareness about the plight of Afghan women.
- Support organizations advocating for women’s rights in Afghanistan.
- Watch and promote Bread & Roses to amplify their stories globally.
Afghan women continue to resist, embodying resilience and hope. Their fight is not just for themselves but a call to action for the world to support equality and justice.
