Malala Yousafzai calls on global leaders to introduce law banning gender discrimination

Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai has used a UK Parliament meeting to call on global leaders to introduce a law banning gender discrimination, to end the “cruel” Taliban abuse of women in Afghanistan.

With a tranche of new laws against women brought in by the extremists, who took power more than three years ago, she demanded “a decisive, strong international response” as the abuse was “a severe crime against humanity”.

Malala, who was shot in the head by the Pakistan Taliban in 2012, spoke in the presence of Britain’s Middle East Minister, Hamish Falconer. He disclosed to the all-party parliamentary group on women, peace and security, that Britain was now reviewing its relationship with the Taliban after failed dialogue under the previous Conservative government.

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But the minister was told by Malala that “this has got to be at the top of the global agenda” and that defining gender apartheid as a crime would be “a watershed moment for the future of Afghanistan”.

“Women and girls are systematically being erased from public life by the Taliban,” she told the Westminster meeting. “The situation is getting worse and at the same time the perpetrators remain unaccountable.”

There had been a “systematic exclusion of women” from all public life and education. “It’s an organised system that drives women and girls from all aspects of society,” she added. “The Taliban is bringing in edicts to change the law to limit women from every possible position.”

Malala Yousafzai says the situation in Afghanistan is getting worse by the day. Getty Images

There had also been a surge in suicides among girls in Afghanistan with more that 1.5 million aged between 12 and 18 not allowed to go to school, causing a severe mental health impact, the meeting was told.

Furthermore, as one of the world’s poorest countries, the Taliban were harming the Afghan people by banning women from work costing the economy $6 billion a year, according to the World Bank.

The British government was called on to use its powers to do more to protect the rights of Afghan women and girls.

Mr Falconer, whose role includes special responsibility for Afghanistan, told the audience made up largely of women that the situation was “even worse than in the 90s when gender apartheid first came about”.

He announced the review into the UK’s relationship with Afghanistan after the previous government had explored possibilities of renewing relations with the Taliban without success.

Hamish Falconer, the UK’s Minister for Middle East and North Africa Affairs, says the government is reviewing its relationship with the Afghan Taliban. Getty Images

“We are a new government and Afghanistan is very much on my mind,” he said. “We are undertaking a review on our position to the Taliban.”

Mr Falconer, who as a foreign office official helped in hostage negotiations with the Taliban, stated that the extremists now wanted to “eradicate Afghan women and their voices”, adding “even their vocal cords cannot be exercised in public”.

Women who had been employed as doctors, engineers, politicians, journalists and aid workers had now not been in work for nearly four years, the “Countering Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan” meeting was told.

If they broke the Talban’s “cruel decrees” they were “beaten, harassed and punished,” Malala said.

SERIES SCHEDULE

First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6

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Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)

Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)

What is Reform?

Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.

It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.

Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.

After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.

Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.

The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.

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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.

Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.

Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.