Day of Malala: Nov. 10th FTF condemns the shooting of Malala Yousufzai

The Feminist Task Force condemns the atrocious acts of violence against 14 year old Malala Yousufzai and the two other girls accompanying her which by their heinousness bring injury to ALL GIRLS, women and humanity.

We stand in solidarity with Malala and all women’s human rights defenders who by the very nature of being and existing are putting their lives at risk.

We speak up against “gendercide”, against gender apartheid, against gender inequality and FOR investing in girls, in women’s equality and empowerment.

FTF Voices

The situation in Pakistan is very depressing as no one is feeling safe. There are many Malalas who are suffering brutality and injustice every day.

The nature of events and the trends are so complex that some times we are totally lost. Sometimes it feels like everyone is against everyone. Apart from the ongoing War on Terror, we are also facing rampant killing, abductions, routine blasts, issues of missing persons, extremism, and general lack of tolerance. Deep inside, the growing problems have very strong links with growing poverty and inequalities. The ruling elite (including feudal/landlords, parliamentarians, bureaucracy/establishment, big industrialists and army elite) is involved in massive corruption in general. They are the ones having all the facilities while on the other hand the falling economy is putting all its pressure on the poor people in the form of inflation, lack of jobs, lack of respect, lack of self esteem and what not.

Trapped in this devastating situation, now it bcomes easy for someone from this oppressed class to become vulnerable to the level where the person can be easily used for any sort of task that may cause harm to the society and humanity. Inequalities and injustice are creating terrorist minds much more quickly than any institution. Our middle class has shrunk a lot and most of them fall back below the poverty line. In this situation, our Malalas are under threat, and will remain to be until a fair and just system is in place. And that day will come when common people will rise and demand their rights, as people are now fed up of the corrupt rulers and the elements who have put their safety and security at stake.

— Rehana Khilji is a HOPE-PK Board Member and a Feminist Task Force Facilitation Team member representing Pakistan and the Asia region.