‘Leaders are silent’: Malala calls on Britain to help oppressed Afghan women

nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai He urged the UK government to “move forward more boldly”. Afghanistan Women living under the Taliban.

25 years old Pakistani An activist shot by the Taliban for supporting girls’ education accused world leaders of being “silent”. action Afghan rally across from Downing Street in the center LondonSunday afternoon.

The protests are part of a campaign aimed at drawing renewed attention to Afghan women and girls, who are increasingly oppressed by the Taliban who took over the country after Western forces withdrew last year. was broken

Addressing the crowd, Yousafzai said her story was not “unique” and that she could imagine what Afghan women and girls have been through since the regime banned secondary education.

“That’s why I’m here today because our leaders remain silent in the face of gender apartheid in Afghanistan.

“The Taliban’s fragmented response has allowed them to increase their repression of women and girls.

“Each of us with free speech must not turn a blind eye. We must call on our leaders to act urgently.”

Yousafzai specifically addressed British leaders to the government to host a world summit on the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan and establish asylum and resettlement routes for at-risk women. I asked for

“I ask the British government to step forward bolder and live up to your claim to be a global champion for girls’ education and gender equality,” she said.

“Use your convening power to host a global summit where world leaders can agree on bold and concerted action to ensure the rights of women and girls are upheld in Afghanistan.

“Calling for the release of Afghan women activists and welcoming at-risk Afghan women by establishing routes of asylum and resettlement.”

Yousafzai also urged those who can speak out in solidarity with Afghan women and girls to do so, adding: For them, defying the Taliban means risking lives.

“Their sacrifices cannot be in vain. We cannot allow this generation of girls to give up their dreams and disappear behind the walls of their homes.”

Her speech carried a placard that read, “Women’s rights are universal rights,” and read, “Liberate the women of Afghanistan. We want justice. We want freedom.” I am asking.”

There will also be marches in cities in Canada and the United States on Sunday, with organizers saying more protests are planned in other countries.

Afghanistan’s first female vice-president and peace negotiator, Fauzia Kufi, also called on the British government to step up its support for Afghan women and girls, saying failure to respond could lead to another 9/11 attack. ), it warned that it could lead to

“We said ( ) the Afghan war is not the Afghan war. It will come to your border,” she told the crowd.

“If you continue to abandon Afghan women, if the world turns a blind eye to what is happening in Afghanistan, God forbid we will experience 9/11 again.

“Afghan women are fighting for Afghanistan. They are not just fighting for education. It’s a right.”

Other speakers included Yousafzai’s father, education activist Geoudin Yousafzai, journalist and political commentator Ayesha Hazarika, and human rights activist Horia Mossadik.

Zehra Zaidi, executive director of Action for Afghanistan, said the campaign group behind the protests had delivered a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to “lead this call” for the world conference and to provide specific support for vulnerable people. He said he planned to request that an asylum route be established. Afghan women.

When asked if she expected the government to respond, Kathleen Mulhern, her co-founder, told PA news agency: We don’t let them off the hook. “