South African Official Meets Malala Yousafzai to Discuss ‘Gender Apartheid’ in Afghanistan
Amid ongoing extensive restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan, South African officials met with Malala Yousafzai and several Afghan women activists to review their human rights situation.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation announced on Sunday, August 9, that Zinhle Dlangamandla, Director-General of the department, met with Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and a delegation of Afghan women activists. According to the ministry, the meeting focused on what has been described as ‘gender apartheid’ in Afghanistan.
The two parties also explored ways to strengthen international community support for Afghan women and girls. Political backing to achieve justice and ensure accountability for violations of women’s rights were also key topics in the discussion.
This meeting took place while Afghan women and girls, on the verge of the fifth year of Taliban rule, continue to face widespread restrictions in education, employment, and social participation. Since taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban administration has banned girls from attending school beyond sixth grade, prohibited women from university studies, and severely limited their employment in many government and non-governmental organizations.
