Malala warns women, minorities in jeopardy as Taliban takes Kabul

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Monday, August 16, 2021
Malala warns women in danger as Taliban takes Kabul
Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai is expressing concern about the fate of women and minorities in Afghanistan as the Taliban takes control of Kabul.

As a chaotic situation unfolds in Kabul with the Taliban taking control, human rights activist Malala Yousafzai is expressing concern about the fate of women and minorities in Afghanistan.

The Taliban has taken over the Presidential Palace in Kabul as the U.S. military uses Afghan airspace for evacuations. President Joe Biden on Monday defended his decision to withdraw U.S. troops, saying the decision is "the right one for America."

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But Malala warns that the human rights of women and minorities are in danger as the extremist Taliban takes control.

"I am deeply worried about women, minorities and human rights advocates," the Nobel Prize laureate tweeted to her 1.9 million followers. "Global, regional and local powers must call for an immediate ceasefire, provide urgent humanitarian aid and protect refugees and civilians."

Several provinces in Afghanistan are starting school this week - and already things are returning to the old ways, with female students being turned away by Taliban fighters.

"I came to Afghanistan to be the voice of the voiceless women of my country," said Afghan women's rights activist Mahbouba Seraj. "All of those women that they are living in the provinces of Afghanistan all the way back in the districts and nobody hears their voices and they're in dire need of help."