Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai to attend girls’ education summit in Pakistan

The 27-year-old activist will return home after attending a conference scheduled for January 11 and 12 in Islamabad, Education Minister Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said. Malala last visited Pakistan in October 2022, when she expressed solidarity with people in flood-affected areas.  She was just 15 years old when the outlawed Pakistani Taliban (TTP) shot her in the head for her campaign for girls’ education. The conference “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities” aims to address the challenges and opportunities in advancing girls’ education across Muslim communities worldwide, fostering dialogue and finding practical solutions to the challenges. According to an official statement, the conference will also provide an ideal platform for high-level discussions and collaboration. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session. During her speech, she will reaffirm the nation’s commitment to supporting girls’ education and gender equality. “The event will bring together over 150 international dignitaries, including ministers, ambassadors, scientists and academics from 44 Muslim and friendly countries, representatives of international organizations including UNESCO, UNICEF and the World Bank,” the statement said. The Education Conference will conclude with the signing of the Islamabad Declaration, which will outline the Muslim community’s shared commitment to empowering girls through education, paving the way for inclusive and sustainable education reforms and a better future for generations to come. At today’s press conference, the Federal Minister of Education, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that all the four provincial education ministers and also the chief ministers will attend the conference. He said that Pakistan values ​​the traditions of Afghan society and added that he has also invited the Afghan government to the conference. “We are still far behind in terms of education and employment,” Siddiqui said.