Under the Veil of Silence | Girls' Education in Pakistan |

A clear illustration of a nation that has struggled to achieve gender equality in education is Pakistan. An estimate suggests that approximately 13 million Pakistani girls do not attend school; this might represent the entire population of some nations.

While 83 percent of boys and 68% of girls between the ages of 15 and 23 can read and write, Only 10% of girls complete secondary education, and only 42 percent of secondary school students are female. Girls in many parts of Pakistan attend primary school, but they are unable to go on to secondary school because there are no secondary schools in their areas.

When it comes to achieving gender equality in education, Pakistan is facing a serious challenge. It’s being made difficult because of the prevailing gender norms and cultural barriers that have been prolonged for decades.

Things have changed over the most recent twenty years somewhat and individuals have begun thinking all the more normally. Numerous parents have begun to encourage their daughters to attend school. Sadly, girls who live in rural areas struggle to gain access to educational opportunities and frequently suffer from poverty.

There are obstacles to girls' education in major cities like Lahore, but these obstacles are not limited to rural areas. In Lahore alone, approximately 150,000 girls are not enrolled in school.

Lack of sanitation facilities in schools, a lack of transportation, growing poverty, false perceptions, gender discrimination, early marriage, a lack of educational infrastructure, a lack of a safe environment, and physical disabilities are some of the main obstacles that prevent girls from obtaining an education.

The quality of education presents the greatest obstacle wherever it is accessible and readily available. The education policies for girls need to be reviewed by policymakers and other relevant government bodies.

Efforts must be made to raise awareness of the issue, particularly but not exclusively in rural areas. One way to reduce discrimination against girls' education is to raise awareness. To encourage low-income families to send their daughters to school, the government must offer monthly scholarships and financial aid.

Girls all over Pakistan face the same challenges. What makes one area different from another? The answer lies in how people and programs work together to improve girls' education, and in the resilience of the girls themselves. It is essential to provide a secure learning environment to encourage parents to send their daughters to school to reduce the percentage of girls who drop out of school.