For Immediate Release
October 10: Bolo Bhi strongly condemns the cowardly attack on 14-year-old girls’ education activist, Malala Yousufzai, and her two school mates, causing serious injuries.
The admission by Tehreek-e-Taliban that they had carried out the attack because she spoke for female education and enlightenment – which is against their agenda – highlights the grave threats rights activists, especially women human rights defenders continue to face.
This is not the first time that the Taliban have accepted responsibility for targeting female activists. Earlier this year, human rights activist Farida Afridi was assassinated in broad day light for her work to help women in the tribal areas.
The State should take strong notice of these targeted attempts aimed at crippling the struggle for the empowerment of women in the troubled areas of the country. Under the current circumstances, it is essential that the authorities provide protection to the human rights defenders who continue to work under threat.
Bolo Bhi believes that in order to a create a just and tolerant society, women must play an active role. It is strong young women like Malala Yousufzai who continue to fight for women’s right to education despite threats to their lives. Everything possible must be done to support and protect them and their cause.
Contact: Afia Salam – Bolo Bhi
Email: afia@bolobhi.org
Bolo Bhi means ‘Speak up’, in Urdu. We are a not-for-profit geared towards advocacy, policy and research in the areas of gender rights, government transparency, legislation, Internet freedom, digital security, privacy and empowerment. We, at Bolo Bhi, believe it is crucial to bridge the gap between rights advocates, policy makers, media and citizens. It is by bridging this gap that one can move ahead to chart a way forward and resolve issues through consensus, in a way that is mutually beneficial.