Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai will visit Pakistan this weekend to attend an international conference on girls’ education in Muslim communities, officials announced on Wednesday.
The two-day conference will take place on January 11-12 in Islamabad. Malala will be a keynote speaker, addressing critical challenges and opportunities in advancing girls’ education.
Malala’s Third Visit to Pakistan Since 2012
This will be Malala’s third visit to Pakistan since she was flown to Britain in 2012 for life-saving treatment. At just 15, she was shot by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for advocating girls’ education.
Malala last visited Pakistan in October 2022, travelling to her hometown for the first time since the attack. Her upcoming visit highlights her ongoing commitment to girls’ education worldwide.
Conference Focus: Challenges and Opportunities
The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training is organising the event. It is titled “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities.”
According to the Foreign Office, the conference aims to foster dialogue, identify actionable solutions, and promote girls’ education globally. Over 150 dignitaries, including ministers, ambassadors, and representatives from UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank, will attend.
Prime Minister to Open the Event
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the conference and deliver the opening keynote. He will reaffirm Pakistan’s dedication to promoting girls’ education and gender equity.
An organiser stated, “Malala confirmed her participation in the conference and would deliver a keynote address, highlighting the importance of girls’ education in Muslim communities.”
Addressing Afghanistan’s Girls’ Education Ban
The conference will also address the ban on girls’ education by the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Although not explicitly mentioned, the Islamabad Declaration is expected to reject this ban.
Pakistan invited the Afghan Taliban government to attend, but their participation remains unconfirmed.
A Step Towards Transformative Change
The event will conclude with the signing of the Islamabad Declaration. This agreement will outline commitments to empowering girls through education and paving the way for sustainable reforms.
Through this conference, speakers will share success stories and innovative approaches, aiming to inspire a brighter, more inclusive future.
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