Malala Yousafzai Speaks Out Against Erosion of Women's Rights in Afghanistan

The article discusses Malala Yousafzai's efforts to raise awareness about the deteriorating conditions for women in Afghanistan following the Taliban's return to power, including her involvement with a documentary that captures their struggles.

After nearly a decade as a global advocate for women's rights, Malala Yousafzai has turned her attention to Afghanistan, where the recent resurgence of the Taliban has led to alarming restrictions on women's freedoms. Malala, who survived an assassination attempt by a Taliban gunman in Pakistan, expresses her dismay at how quickly women's rights have been compromised in Afghanistan since the Taliban regained control in 2021, nearly two decades after being ousted.

"I never imagined that the rights of women would be compromised so easily," Malala remarked in an interview, noting that many girls are now trapped in a feeling of hopelessness. The Taliban's strict implementation of “morality laws” has severely limited women's rights, including enforced dress codes, travel restrictions, and an educational shutdown for millions of girls.

The United Nations has labeled these oppressive measures as “gender apartheid,” calling for international accountability and recognition of these acts as violations of human rights. However, the Taliban defends these measures as culturally acceptable.

Malala's latest endeavor, a documentary titled “Bread & Roses,” showcases the lives of three Afghan women who have faced the severe consequences of these restrictions. The film highlights the stark realities of women losing their jobs, education, and autonomy under the Taliban regime. The stories of Zahra, an ex-dentist; Taranom, an activist fleeing the country; and Sharifa, a displaced government employee, reflect the wider plight of the over 20 million women and girls in Afghanistan, whose lives have been decimated.

Director Sahra Mani, who left Afghanistan after the Taliban's takeover, shared her commitment to depicting the harsh realities of Afghan women's lives under a repressive government. Despite the challenges in documenting their struggles, Sahra emphasized the importance of sharing these stories to highlight the resistance and resilience of Afghan women.

Malala stated, "Despite all of these challenges, they're out on their streets and risking their lives to hope for a better world for themselves." She hopes that the documentary will amplify the voices of Afghan women and strengthen international efforts to pressure the Taliban into restoring women's rights.

With the film set to premiere globally on Apple TV+ on November 22, Malala and Sahra aim to inspire solidarity from the international community, emphasizing the lessons of courage and persistence that can be learned from Afghan women's fight for their rights: “We should learn from them and we should stand in solidarity with them.”