- By: Laiba Mursaleen
Women’s education in Pakistan is a crucial and essential issue that not only affects social progress but also hinders the country’s economic growth. Even today, many women are deprived of basic education. In this article, we will understand this challenge and explore some feasible solutions to address it. In estimated 22.5 million children are out of school, of which the majority are girls.
Thirty two percent 30% of primary school age girls are out of school as compared with 21% of boys. Pakistan literacy rate latest figure is 72.5% for boys and 51.8% for female which almost 10% latest three year. Let’s talk about some facts of this scale. There’s a visible difference between the enrolment of men and women in educational institution. The gap between men and women enrolment of primary to secondary level is less but is more at degree level education. There are 38% boys and 62% girls in public sector universities. 96% boys and 4% girls in private sector universities. Now let us look at the cause of this fact.
Household resources are allocates to male due to their role in society outside home. They are expected to financially care of the family while daughter would be married off to another family. Women are expected to do all the domestic works .While men are responsible for earning money for the family. Such division forces women to stay instead of going out to get education. Pakistan is a developing country.
A huge number of people are living below the poverty line. It becomes very difficult for families to sponsor education to their children. If they manage to send them to school they prefer to spend more on boys than girls. Pakistan is such a country where parents still hesitate sending their girls to get education in institution where there’s co-education. Mostly educational activities in collages universities are based on co-education.
Now let us find a solution to resolve this causes, On a district level, government should ensure the increase of enrolment of girls in educational institution. Government should launch public awareness schemes regarding women education, especially in rural area. NGOs, Media and public service sectors should play their role in this regards. Government should introduce vocation education for women. Conditional cash transfer schemes should be introduced. Universities should encourages distance learning. Government should announce special scholarships for female students.
The challenge of overcoming barriers to women’s education in Pakistan requires collective efforts from all societal segments. Governments should prioritize building schools, improving infrastructure, and implementing gender equality policies. Local communities should support girls’ education, with NGOs and private institutions offering scholarships and vocational training. Empowering women through education enhances personal development, strengthens families, communities, and contributes to economic growth.