As Pakistan prepares to announce its Education Budget for 2025–26, the question we must ask ourselves is not whether we are spending enough—but whether we
The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is Accelerate Action. The past few years have witnessed increased discourses on gender parity to spread awareness about the issue. These discussions have led to formulation of international commitments regarding gender equality, making many countries to work towards achieving parity.
A massive barrier to girls' education is full time work at an early age. And when I say full-time work, I mean household chores at someone else's house. And when I say early age, I mean as young as 5. At the age of 5, many girls are excited. Some are excited thinking about their future in school. Will they fit in? Will they like the teachers? What will they be doing all day that now they have to spend 8 hours at this institution their parents are singing praises of? Some are excited for the social life. Will I make friends? Will I be invited to birthday parties?
A massive barrier to girls' education is full time work at an early age. And when I say full-time work, I mean household chores at someone else's house. And when I say early age, I mean as young as 5. At the age of 5, many girls are excited. Some are excited thinking about their future in school. Will they fit in? Will they like the teachers? What will they be doing all day that now they have to spend 8 hours at this institution their parents are singing praises of? Some are excited for the social life. Will I make friends? Will I be invited to birthday parties?
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was once quoted saying, “No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you”. This statement plainly depicts how Pakistan has strayed away from the foundations it was built upon. We as a nation must acknowledge the significance of Quaid’s words. We must accept with fervour and passion the significance that girl’s education yields.
“No nation can ever be worthy of its existence that cannot take its women along with the men. No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men”- Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
In Pakistan educating a girl particularly in rural areas is a bigger challenge. It is also important that girls learn in school and feel safe. They must get all the prospects and equal opportunity to complete all levels of education and attain knowledge and skills which are necessary to compete in the current job market. Girls' education is a strategic development priority. Educated women are better acquainted with nutrition and health, have fewer children, are late to marry, they have chosen to be mothers whenever they want.
In Pakistan, the gender gap has made the country vulnerable to all the circumstances that are being faced in the education sector generally and at the secondary education level in particular. According to the reports of the World Bank, in 2018 the net enrolment rate of females in secondary education level was 34.184% against the primary enrolment rate that stood at 61.567%. On the other hand, the male enrolment rate in secondary and primary school was 76.272% and 67.575% respectively (World Bank, 2020). That makes the male’s ratio more than half of the female’s population in secondary schools.
Overall, Pakistan is finally prioritizing education and is also motivated to bridge the gender gap. The present government has launched multiple projects like scholarships, vocational trainings, curriculum changes and development of Institutions. These initiations alone cannot make the difference required. Pakistani government and public must both show enthusiasm in order to address intersectionality and its effects on girl’s education together.
Pakistan is a developing country. As a nation, we are going through a roller coaster ride at this point in time and with everything that
