In an unexpected turn of events, the Taliban administration in Afghanistan has barred Afghani women from pursuing higher education, closing schools, colleges, and universities without explanation.
This outraged the entire world, particularly Muslims, because it is a clear breach of human rights and is forbidden in Islam. Malala Yousafzai is one of many Muslim women activists throughout the world who have spoken out against the Taliban administration.
The Nobel Peace prize laureate openly expressed her discontentment over the ban, suggesting that the “quest to learn” cannot be suppressed. Earlier, Yousafzai had come to Pakistan with a mission for girls’ education.
Malala Yousafzai was also a victim of a nearly fatal attack by the Taliban when she demanded women in the Swat region be allowed to go to schools in 2009.
Yousafzai tweeted, “The Taliban may lock all the classrooms and university gates in the country — but they can never lock up women’s minds. They cannot stop girls from seeking knowledge. They cannot kill the quest to learn.”
The female education activist’s post drew a good response from Twitterati, who were also outraged and urged that the Taliban administration reverse their decision.
The Taliban government’s restriction on women’s education drew considerable condemnation from foreign figures, with numerous countries, notably Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, criticizing the ban.
After 20 years of conflict, international forces led by the United States left Afghanistan war-torn in August 2021, restoring the Taliban administration to power.
