In a significant effort to spotlight challenges in Muslim girls’ education, Pakistan hosted a global summit in Islamabad, drawing education leaders from Muslim-majority nations. However, the Taliban government in Afghanistan declined to attend, despite being the only country in the world that bans girls from attending school.
Taliban Absence Sparks Global Criticism
Pakistan’s Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui stated that the government invited the Taliban, but they failed to send any representatives. “We had invited the Afghan government, but they did not attend the conference,” Siddiqui told AFP.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his opening address, condemned the denial of education to girls. “The Muslim world, including Pakistan, faces significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to education for girls,” he said. “Denying education to girls is equivalent to denying their voice, their choice, and their right to a brighter future.”
Afghanistan’s Strict Restrictions on Women and Girls
Since regaining control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban government has imposed strict restrictions on women and girls. They have banned female education beyond the sixth grade and barred women from many professions and public spaces. The Taliban mandates that Afghan women wear full-body coverings, including face veils. They also prohibit women from praying aloud in groups.
Malala’s Advocacy Steals the Spotlight
Adding prominence to the summit, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai attended and is set to address the gathering. Malala, a global advocate for girls’ education, was shot by Pakistan Taliban militants in 2012 while campaigning for the right to education.
On social media platform X, Malala emphasized the urgency of holding the Taliban accountable. “I will speak about protecting rights for all girls to go to school and why leaders must hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes against Afghan women and girls,” she posted.
The summit underscores the dire state of girls’ education in the Islamic world and aims to foster dialogue and solutions for equitable access. While the Taliban’s absence highlights ongoing challenges, global leaders continue to push for progress in ensuring education for all.
