Women who were kidnapped from Chibok ten years ago waited in Abuja in 2017. The fight for female ‘ education is a fight for equality, opportunity, and justice, writes Stefan Heunis, assistant majority leader of the Gambia’s National Assembly. More than a decade after the Chibok women were kidnapped, their crimes continue, exposing administration and policy flaws in some parts of eastern Africa. Boko Haram’s philosophy — rooted in a hideous distortion of Islam — declares training forbidden. The team targets women’s independence through murder, knowing that training is key to a really society. Elsewhere in the wider Arab world, related mistakes are being made — 1.4mn girls are now barred from classrooms in Afghanistan, and related restrictions are unfolding in Libya and Syria, where ethics authorities and education purges are erasing women’s access to education. As a happy Egyptian and Muslim head, I know what’s at stake. Boko Haram, besides being responsible for tens of thousands of murders, has forced women into couples, and also groomed them into committing suicide problems. Similar to my example, African governments have pledged to protect individuals from such crime. The African Union and the Multinational Joint Task Force just worked together to remove Boko Haram from the Lake Chad Basin in the summer of last year. The insurgents ‘ internal divisions and scattered actions prevented their expansion into Cameroon, Niger, and other western African countries. World jihadist network like al-Qaeda and Isis bolster them. If Muslim-majority places falter then, the effects could be fatal. Africa’s fight underscores a hard reality: power only fails. Military action may disrupt criminal operations, but triumph demands a broader strategy — peacebuilding, financial stability and philosophical dialogue. We must challenge fundamentalist stories and offer re-entry into society for those who have been radicalized. According to research, training and faith-based support can aid in the abdication of extreme ideologies and the elimination of terrorism. Simply by addressing the grievances that contribute to extremism does Africa and the rest of the Arab world forge a long-term course of peace. An illustration of that larger vision came to life next month in Islamabad, where Muslim scholars, political figures, and activists gathered for the International Conference on Girls ‘ Education in Muslim Communities. The event, which was organized by the Muslim World League under the secretary-general Sheikh Mohammad Al-Issa, featured tones like Nobel winner Malala Yousafzai and culminated in the ancient Islamabad Declaration, which affirms that women ‘ education is a fundamental requirement as well as a basis of political advancement. More than language, it envisions unparalleled collaboration between Muslim governments, international organisations, and educational organizations to store jihadist beliefs. However, the Arab world may fight this battle alone. Africa’s practice illustrates the cost of discord. In Nigeria, some trust officials preached compassion and reconciliation, but without extensive aid, those efforts faltered, leading to a generation of despair and lost possible for millions of girls. Co-ordinated resolve can help stem the tide of extremism. The battle for girls ‘ education is a battle for dignity, opportunity and justice. A girl with a degree strengthens her community and aids in the development of her country. Denying that blocks societal advancement and violates her rights. From Nigeria to Afghanistan, the message is clear: no girl’s potential should be extinguished in the shadows. The Muslim world has a chance to lead and make education a universal privilege rather than a right. But it demands more than words, it requires determined engagement from governments, faith leaders and civil society.
Women’s learning is a must for the fight against extremism in Africa.
