Main content

Who is detained girls' education activist Matiullah Wesa?

A prominent Afghan campaigner for female education has been arrested by the Taliban, even as teenage girls and women remain barred from classrooms.

Matiullah Wesa, 30, had often received threats. He spent years travelling across Afghanistan trying to improve access to education for all children.

The Taliban did not say why Mr Wesa was in custody. His house was also raided.

His arrest follows the detention of a number of other activists who have been campaigning for women's education. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Yogita Lamaye has been telling OS more about him.

(Photo shows: Matiullah Wesa, head of PenPath and advocate for girls' education in Afghanistan, speaks to children during a class next to his mobile library in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar Province. May 2022. Credit: Getty Images)

Release date:

Duration:

4 minutes