Malala Yousafzai: Biden must take ‘bold step’ to protect Afghans

Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Malala Yousafzai said that President Biden “has a lot to do” and that he “must take a bold step to protect the people of Afghanistan,” according to the BBC.

“I am deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan right now, especially about the safety of women and girls there,” Yousafzai told BBC Two’s “Newsnight” on Monday. 

Yousafzai, 24, was targeted by the Taliban for speaking out against their efforts to deny women an education. She was only 15 when she survived a gunshot to the head while boarding a school bus in 2012. Since then, she has continually fought for the rights of women and girls in developing countries. 

When the Taliban controlled a large portion of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, women were not allowed to receive an education and were treated very poorly. Now, many women say they aren’t sure what the future holds for them. 

“I had the opportunity to talk to a few activists in Afghanistan, including women’s rights activists, and they are sharing their concern that they are not sure what their life is going to be like,” she said. 

Yousafzai reportedly called on multiple world leaders and officials to open borders and help the refugees in Afghanistan.

“I have been trying to reach out to many global leaders,”  Yousafzai said. “I think every country has a role and responsibility right now. Countries need to open their borders to Afghan refugees, to the displaced people.”

The Taliban has had a swift takeover in Afghanistan as the U.S. has quickly withdrawn troops from the country. The takeover has led thousands of Afghans to desperately flee the country in hopes of finding refuge.

Yousafzai said she sent a letter to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan requesting him to allow Afghan refugees into the country, as well as ensure children “have access to education, have access to safety and protection, that their futures are not lost.”

Yousafzai also accused the U.S. of making careless statements during the recent Taliban takeover. 

“I think the way the U.S. described this war and how it was declared as a victory, I think this sends a very wrong impression,” she told the BBC. “The Taliban waited for 20 years and they [the U.S.] are claiming their so-called victory after that.”

She also criticized foreign involvement in the country.

Yousafzai praised the women in the country for staying strong during a time of violence.

“The women are brave, they’re strong, and they keep raising their voices,” she said. “And we must give more opportunities and time to them to tell us what it is that needs to be done for them, for the peace in Afghanistan.”