Malala Yousafzai, the youngest Nobel Laureate, has made headlines for her insightful comments on crucial matters. Malala contributed her two cents on protecting every woman’s right to choose what she wears as Women’s Day approaches.
Malala stated that women and girls all across the world are aware that if they are harassed or assaulted on the street, their clothing is more likely to be targeted than their offenders.
She uttered:
Women are constantly being told to put on or take off various items of clothing, constantly sexualised or suppressed. We are beaten at home, punished at school and harassed in public for what we wear.
Moreover, she added:
Years ago I spoke against the Taliban forcing women in my community to wear burqas – and last month I spoke against Indian authorities forcing girls to remove their hijabs at school. These aren’t contradictions – both cases involve objectifying women. If someone forces me to cover my head, I will protest. If someone forces me to remove my scarf, I will protest.
While talking about women’s right to wear whatever she wants to, Malala said:
Whether a woman chooses a burqa or a bikini, she has the right to decide for herself. Come and talk to us about individual freedom and autonomy, about preventing harm and violence, about education and emancipation. Do not come with your wardrobe notes.
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