Mapaballo Borotho
- Malala Yousafzai has urged governments to take decisive action against the Taliban over the systematic denial of Afghan women’s rights.
- This follows a tribunal ruling that found clear evidence of human rights violations against women in Afghanistan.
- Malala says Afghan women have shown immense courage, and governments must now recognise gender apartheid as a crime against humanity and demand justice.
International women’s rights activist Malala Yousafzai has called on governments to take a firm stand against the Taliban for oppressing Afghan women and denying them access to education.
This comes after a tribunal established earlier last week to address the ongoing women’s rights crisis in Afghanistan is set to present its findings in The Hague on Thursday.
The tribunal was convened by a coalition of Afghan civil society organisations and the Permanent People’s Tribunal, with the aim of exposing the alleged systemic denial of women’s rights in Afghanistan.
It ruled that there is clear evidence that women in the country are being denied their basic human rights.
“This judgement is an important step, a major step forward. I have spoken to many Afghan women and girls who are not giving up, fighting for their rights, and wanting education for themselves,” said Malala.
She says this marks the first step in recognising that the Taliban’s treatment of women constitutes a crime and resembles a system of gender apartheid.
However, Malala warned that the judgement will be incomplete if it is not followed by meaningful action. She says governments must take responsibility for their role in creating the conditions that allowed the Taliban to return, as well as for maintaining relationships with the group while women’s rights continue to be violated.
“Afghan women have done everything to fight for their rights and demand justice. Now it is time for governments to show the same courage and recognise gender apartheid as part of crimes against humanity,” she said.
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