Malala Yousafzai Expresses Dismay Over Rapid Erosion of Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

Malala Yousafzai, who survived an assassination attempt, is now advocating for the women of Afghanistan. In the short period since the Taliban regained authority in the nation, women’s rights have been significantly curtailed, with restrictions now extending to the prohibition of singing. Malala’s personal connection to the Taliban stems from an incident in Pakistan, where a member of the hardline Islamist organization shot her on a school bus. The swiftness of the changes in Afghanistan, though not necessarily their harshness, has astonished Malala, who has been an advocate for equality since the almost fatal shooting in 2012. Malala stated to BBC Asian Network, “I never imagined that the rights of women would be compromised so easily.” The 27-year-old Nobel Prize Winner added, “A lot of girls are finding themselves in a very hopeless, depressing situation where they do not see any way out,” concluding that “The future looks very dark to them.” The Taliban reclaimed authority in Afghanistan in 2021, two decades after a US-led invasion overthrew their government following the 9/11 attacks in New York. Over the three-and-a-half years since the departure of Western forces, “morality laws” have resulted in Afghan women losing numerous rights. A mandatory dress code requires them to be completely covered, and stringent regulations prohibit them from traveling without a male chaperone or making eye contact with men unless they are related by blood or marriage. Malala commented, “The restrictions are just so extreme that it does not even make sense to anybody.” The United Nations (UN) characterizes these regulations as “gender apartheid,” defining it as a system involving economic and social discrimination based on sex. Human rights organization Amnesty International advocates for this to be recognized as a crime under international law. However, the Taliban has defended these rules, asserting their acceptance within Afghan society and urging the international community to respect “Islamic laws, traditions and the values of Muslim societies.” Malala stated, “Women lost everything.” She added, “They [the Taliban] know that to take away women’s rights you have to start with the foundation, and that is education.” The UN reports that since the Taliban’s takeover, over a million girls in Afghanistan, approximately 80%, are not attending school, and in 2022, around 100,000 female students were prohibited from their university courses. Furthermore, a link has been observed between the limited access to education and an increase in child marriage and fatalities during pregnancy and childbirth. Malala remarked, “Afghan women live in very dark times now,” but noted, “But they show resistance.” The Pakistan-born activist, recognized as the youngest individual to ever receive a Nobel Peace Prize, is serving as an executive producer for an upcoming film titled *Bread & Roses*. This documentary chronicles the experiences of three Afghan women under the Taliban regime: Zahra, a dentist compelled to abandon her profession; Taranom, an activist who seeks refuge at the border; and Sharifa, a government employee who loses both her employment and her autonomy. Malala clarified that the film extends beyond the narratives of just three women, stating, “It’s about the 20 million Afghan girls and women whose stories may not make it to our screens.” *Bread & Roses* was directed by Afghan filmmaker Sahra Mani, with US actress Jennifer Lawrence also joining as a producer. Sahra informed Asian Network that her objective was “to tell the story of a nation under the Taliban dictatorship,” adding, “How slowly, all the rights have been taken away.” Sahra successfully departed Afghanistan after the US-backed government collapsed subsequent to the troop withdrawal in August 2021. Nevertheless, she maintained communication with women still in the country, who provided videos that she subsequently gathered and preserved. Sahra explained, “It was very important to find young, modern, educated women that have talent they were ready to dedicate to society.” She lamented, “They were ready to build the country but now they have to sit at home and almost do nothing.” Despite the film’s unreleased status, Sahra holds the view that the conditions in Afghanistan have worsened to such an extent that creating it now would be unfeasible. She recalled, “At that time, women could still go out and demonstrate.” She added, “Nowadays, women are not even allowed to sing… the situation is getting more difficult.” The direct footage captures women participating in protests, continuing to record even as they were arrested by the Taliban. Sahra noted that the project became progressively more challenging as additional rights were removed over time. Sahra expressed, “We were really honoured that these women trusted us to share their stories.” She emphasized, “And it was really important for us to put their security in our priorities.” However, she clarified that when these women were demonstrating for their rights in the streets, “it was not for the documentary.” Instead, “It was for them, for their own life, for their own freedom.” Malala commented that for Afghan women, “defiance is extremely challenging.” She observed, “Despite all of these challenges, they’re out on their streets and risking their lives to hope for a better world for themselves.” All three women depicted in the film have since left Afghanistan, and both Sahra and Malala anticipate that the documentary will heighten awareness of the hardships faced by women who remain. Malala asserted, “They are doing all that they can to fight for their rights, to raise their voices.” She concluded, “They’re putting so much at risk. It’s our time to be their sisters and be their supporters.” Malala also expressed her hope that the documentary will generate increased international pressure on the Taliban to reinstate women’s rights. She stated, “I was completely shocked when I saw the reality of the Taliban take over.” She further questioned, “We really have to question what sort of systems we have put in place to guarantee protection to women in Afghanistan, but also elsewhere.” While *Bread & Roses* addresses narratives of loss and oppression, the film simultaneously conveys themes of resilience and hope. Malala remarked, “There’s so much for us to learn from the bravery and courage of these Afghan women.” She urged, “If they are not scared, if they are not losing that courage to stand up to the Taliban, we should learn from them and we should stand in solidarity with them.” The film’s title itself draws inspiration from an Afghan proverb. Sahra explained, “Bread is a symbol of freedom, earning a salary and supporting the family.” She elaborated, “We have a saying in my language that the one who gave you bread is the one who orders you.” Therefore, “So if you find your bread, that means you are the boss of you.” This represents the future Sahra envisions for Afghan women, and based on her observations, she is confident they will ultimately attain it. She stated, “Women in Afghanistan, they keep changing the tactic.” She added, “They keep searching for a new way to keep fighting back.” An extended interview with Malala and Sahra will be broadcast on BBC Asian Network News Presents at 23:00 on 18 November, and can also be accessed on BBC Sounds. *Bread & Roses* is scheduled for global streaming on Apple TV+ starting 22 November. Riyah Collins provided additional reporting. Ankur Desai’s program on BBC Asian Network airs live from 15:00-18:00, Monday to Thursday, and is available for playback. Copyright 2024 BBC. 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