S6 EP4: Malala Yousafzai discusses misrepresentations of Islam, the Taliban's ‘gender apartheid’, and her views on marriage

In this episode, Louis speaks with Nobel laureate and education activist Malala Yousafzai. Joining Louis at Spotify HQ, the pair discuss misrepresentations of Islam, the Taliban’s 'gender apartheid', and her views on the institution of marriage. Plus, Malala shares a traumatic drug experience at university that changed her outlook on life.

Warnings: adult themes and some discussion points which could be upsetting. If you’ve been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, Spotify have a website for information and resources. Visit spotify.com/resources

Links/Attachments:

Book: Finding My Way, Malala Yousafzai (2025)

https://www.waterstones.com/book/finding-my-way/malala-yousafzai/9781399637770

Book: I Am Malala, Malala Yousafzai (2013)

https://www.waterstones.com/book/i-am-malala/malala-yousafzai/christina-lamb/9781399608992

Class Dismissed (2009) - New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000001835296/class-dismissed-malala-yousafzais-story.html

Article: Malala’s shooting

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pakistani-teen-girls-activist-malala-yousufzai-shot-on-school-bus-by-taliban-gunman/

Article: Charlie Kirk killed

https://news.sky.com/story/what-we-know-about-how-charlie-kirk-was-killed-13428871

Article: Afghanistan's restrictions on women https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/08/1165622

Article: Southport riots

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99v90813j5o

Article: Pakistan child marriage laws

https://www.walkfree.org/news/2025/pakistan-takes-step-to-end-child-marriage-as-calls-grow-for-national-reform/

Malala Fund:

https://malala.org/

Mukhtar Mai profile:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13163169

Survey of worst countries for women:

https://www.amnestyusa.org/blog/the-worlds-worst-places-to-be-a-woman/

Credits:

Producer: Millie Chu

Assistant Producer: Maan al-Yasiri

Production Manager: Francesca Bassett

Music: Miguel D’Oliveira

Audio Mixer: Tom Guest

Video Mixer: Scott Edwards

Shownotes compiled by Elly Young

Executive Producer: Arron Fellows

A Mindhouse Production for Spotify

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