Today in Afghanistan, millions of students will start a new school year — except girls. This is our letter to all Afghan girls who are banned from school.
For four years, Afghan girls have woken up knowing they are locked out of their own futures. Not because of war or disaster. But because they are girls. The Taliban’s takeover was enabled by a failed peace process, false assurances of a "moderate" Taliban and governments willing to look the other way. The result? The most extreme system of gender apartheid in modern history. At age 11, girls are forced out of school — with no way back.
Malala Fund is demanding that world leaders recognise gender apartheid as a crime against humanity — so the Taliban is held accountable, and no government can ever again strip women and girls of their rights with impunity.
Through our Afghanistan Initiative, we are funding Afghan-led organisations that are keeping girls learning despite the secondary education ban, supporting those risking everything to resist and pushing governments to take real action.
This year, as the G20 Summit takes place in South Africa — a country where global solidarity helped dismantle apartheid — we are asking leaders: will you act to end gender apartheid, or will you be remembered for your silence?
Afghan girls are fighting for their future. Stand with them. Sign the letter.
Thank you for supporting Afghan girls. By adding your name to the letter you will receive updates from Malala Fund about our work.
