By The South Asia Times

ISLAMBAD - Nobel laureate and education activist Malala Yousafzai has strongly criticized the Afghan Taliban for their continued restrictions on girls’ education and the systematic ban on women in public life.

Speaking out against these measures, Yousafzai called the policies "a violation of basic human rights" and urged the global community to take decisive action.

Speaking to a conference in Islamabad, Malala expressed her dismay over the Taliban’s decision to bar girls from attending schools and universities in Afghanistan. “The Taliban’s policies are not just regressive but also an attack on the fundamental right to education for millions of Afghan girls,” she said.

Malala, who survived an assassination attempt by the Pakistani Taliban in 2012 for advocating girls' education, has been an outspoken critic of the Afghan Taliban's gender policies. “No society can prosper or progress by keeping half of its population out of schools and workplaces,” she added.

The Taliban’s policies extend beyond education, with sweeping bans on women working in NGOs, traveling without a male guardian, and participating in public life. These measures have drawn widespread international condemnation, but the Taliban remain steadfast in their enforcement.

Malala emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, stating, “The world must not turn its back on Afghan women and girls. We must unite to ensure their voices are heard and their rights are restored.”

The activist has called on global leaders, human rights organizations, and Muslim-majority countries to exert pressure on the Taliban regime. She urged the United Nations to prioritize the education and empowerment of Afghan women in its agenda and to hold the Taliban accountable for their actions.

Malala’s remarks come as she continues her global advocacy for education and gender equality through the Malala Fund, which supports initiatives to educate girls in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions, including Afghanistan.

The Taliban’s restrictions have drawn protests from Afghan women within the country and abroad, but demonstrators face harsh crackdowns. Despite the risks, many Afghan women continue to defy the bans, underscoring the resilience and courage of those fighting for their rights.

Malala’s criticism amplifies the growing global outcry against the Afghan Taliban’s draconian policies. Her call to action serves as a reminder that the fight for girls' education and women's rights in Afghanistan is far from over, and it demands unwavering international attention and support.