Malala Yousufzai: Afghan women's struggle is part of global fight for human rights

An international women's rights activist has asserted that the suffering of Afghan women is an integral part of the worldwide fight for human rights.

As the world observed International Human Rights Day this week, a tribunal established to address the ongoing women’s rights crisis in Afghanistan is scheduled to present its findings at The Hague on Thursday.

The tribunal was convened by a coalition of Afghan civil society organisations and the Permanent People’s Tribunal. Its purpose was to expose the alleged systemic denial of women’s rights within Afghanistan.

Women's rights activist Malala Yousufzai stated that the tribunal serves as a critical reminder that women require more systemic protection to uphold their fundamental rights.

"I just cannot imagine that it is 2025/2026 and girls can be banned from school or women can be stopped from work, and that women are punished if they dare to disobey any of these oppressive rules that they are trying to justify in the name of culture or religion."