Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai has returned to Pakistan to attend a global summit on girls’ education in the Islamic world. This is a significant moment for Malala, who was shot by Pakistan Taliban militants in 2012 for advocating girls’ education. She was just 15 years old at the time and was taken to the United Kingdom for treatment. Since then, she has become a global advocate for girls’ education and the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner at the age of 17.
Malala expressed her overwhelming joy to be back in her home country. She arrived in Islamabad with her parents and is set to address the summit, which brings together education leaders from Muslim-majority countries. The summit aims to tackle the challenges of ensuring equitable access to education for girls in these regions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the summit, emphasizing the importance of girls’ education. He highlighted that denying education to girls is equivalent to denying them their voice and choice, depriving them of a bright future. The summit, however, was snubbed by Afghanistan, the only country in the world where girls are banned from attending school and university under the Taliban regime.
Malala’s return to Pakistan comes at a critical time for the country, which is facing its own severe education crisis. According to government figures, more than 26 million children are out of school, primarily due to poverty. This is one of the highest numbers in the world. The barriers to girls’ education in Pakistan include inadequate infrastructure, safety concerns, and deeply entrenched societal norms.
During the summit, Malala plans to speak about the importance of protecting the rights of all girls to go to school. She will also address the need for leaders to hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes against Afghan women and girls. Malala’s presence at the summit sends a powerful message that the fight for education cannot be silenced, whether in Pakistan or across the border in Afghanistan.
Malala’s journey from being a schoolgirl attacked by militants to becoming a global icon for girls’ education is a testament to her resilience and determination. Her return to Pakistan is not only a homecoming but also a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that every girl has the right to education.
