Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Prize winner and a global advocate for girls’ education, is set to visit Pakistan to participate in an international education summit. The two-day event, titled “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities,” will take place in Islamabad on January 11-12, 2025.
This will be Malala’s third trip to her home country since 2012, when she was attacked by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for promoting education for girls. Her visit in 2022 marked her first return to her hometown, making this upcoming trip another significant moment in her journey of advocacy.
Malala is a keynote speaker at the event, where she will highlight the importance of education for girls in Muslim communities. The conference, hosted by Pakistan’s Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, aims to address challenges and find solutions for advancing education for girls in Muslim-majority regions.
The event will feature over 150 prominent figures, including ministers, ambassadors, educators, and representatives from organizations like UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank. Attendees will discuss success stories, innovative strategies, and actionable steps to promote equal access to education.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, will inaugurate the conference and deliver the opening address, reaffirming the country’s dedication to gender equality and education for all.
The conference will culminate in the signing of the “Islamabad Declaration,” a pledge by Muslim nations to support educational reforms and empower girls through better opportunities.
A key topic of discussion will be the ban on girls’ education imposed by the Taliban government in Afghanistan. While the event will not directly reference the issue, it is expected that the declaration will call for lifting such restrictions.
Although Pakistan extended an invitation to the Afghan Taliban to join the conference, it remains unclear if they will participate. Relations between the two nations have been tense recently due to concerns over terrorism and border security.
This summit represents a global effort to unite Muslim communities in the mission to ensure equal education opportunities for girls, paving the way for brighter futures and inclusive development worldwide.
Read Also: 24/7 Passport Services Now Available at NADRA Mega Centres in Karachi!
