Category: Women and Education

Two schools for girls in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal region on the border with Afghanistan were blown up overnight apparently by gunmen, regional officials told RFE/RL on May 22. No one was hurt in the bombings, which targeted schools in the villages of Musakki and Hassukhil of the Mir Ali subdivision, the officials said. Several Musakki residents, who did not give their names for fear of reprisals, told RFE/RL that the school in Musakki had been closed until recently due to threats issued by militants. To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Radio Mashaal,

Source: Radio Free Europe

The Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), has said that the situation of women and girls in Pakistan, whether they are Hindu, Christian or Muslim, is critical.

HRWF stated this at a conference titled ‘EU-Pakistan: Human rights, Religious Freedom and the GSP+,’ which held at the Press Club in Brussels to discuss the grim situation of women and girls in Pakistan.

Asian News International reported that non-governmental organisations representatives in Belgium, Pakistan, Italy and the US participated in the event, addressing a series of serious issues.

“In Pakistan, there is an increasing issue with girls and women of minority religions, such as Hindus and Christians. Hindus make up about two percent of Pakistan’s estimated 220 million people, whereas Christians make up less than one percent,” HRWF said. “Pakistan is also confronting honour killings cases. Insights from the Common Freedoms Commission of Pakistan mention that there were 1,276 such homicides from 2014 to 2016. Even though the Pakistani Parliament passed a law that prohibits killings related to honour, they go on unabated, particularly in rural areas where many of them are not reported and remain unpunished,” HRWF also said.

“Pakistani women are being culturally treated as second-class citizens, especially when it comes to female education per cent, which is very low when compared to the literacy rate for men, which is 69 per cent.

Gender inequality is a global problem but in Pakistan, it is at the root of many issues. It is regrettable that due to widespread illiteracy and a gender-based bias, Pakistani society is largely ignoring the gender imbalance and the vicious cycle of violence.

Every year, there are reports of hundreds of forced conversion incidents. Most victims are from poor families and disadvantaged households.

“In the southern province of Sindh, which is home to nearly 90 per cent of the Hindu minority group, forced conversions to Islam of kidnapped Hindu girls and their subsequent forced weddings to Muslim men–usually to the abductors–are quite common.

“Unfortunately, forcible conversions have not been made illegal in Pakistan by any of the successive administrations. International reports recently said that at least 50 members of Hindu families in the Sindh province are known to have been forcibly converted,” HRWF further said.

Source: The Sun

ISLAMABAD – Currently, around 550 girls are enrolled in the China-Pakistan Gwadar Faqeer Middle School. Moreover, a recently established digital lab with 30 new computers, in collaboration with a Chinese company, is fully functional in the school, providing computer literacy among the girls, Gwadar Pro reported on Saturday.

Around the world, 129 million girls are out of school, including 32 million of primary school age, 30 million of lower-secondary school age, and 67 million of upper-secondary school age, says a 2022 UN report. In Gwadar, the Middle School Faqeer Colony has risen as an illustrious promoter of girls education that meets UN global goals and BRI’s spirit. “My journey of study in the middle school has been empowering me to do something substantial for my hometown Gwadar as well as my country,” Faiza, an 8th grade student of the Faqeer Middle School told Gwadar pro.

“Coming from a marginalised community, my parents could never afford to send me to top quality schools. However, Girls Middle School Faqeer Colony Gwadar, which is one of the best schools in Gwadar, made it possible for me to continue my studies. I wish that the school could be upgraded to include 10th grade so that I can further my education,” she said. Educationist Tahir Manzoor stated that investing in girls’ education can transform communities, countries and the whole world.

“Girls’ education strengthens economies and reduces inequality. It contributes to more stable and resilient societies that give all individuals, including girls, the opportunity to fulfil their potential.” Headmistress Parveen Nawaz of China-Pakistan Government Middle School Faqeer Colony praised the Chinese philanthropy in introducing girls’ education for the impoverished people of Gwadar. “Although it is a public school, it has surpassed other private schools in terms of qualitative facilities and educational standards. Even education in private schools in Gwadar is expensive, but in this school, education is free,” she said.

Source: The Nation

It is high time to give women opportunities for higher education so that they might play their role in the development of the country and society. Islam has given those rights to women fourteen Centuries ago of which this modern world is talking today.

Without education women cannot play their role in any field. Sadaf Zehra District President and Dist President Women Development PTI has said, that a very large number of women participate in almost every walk of life, but they have yet to contribute much in the welfare of the nation.

This can only be done by realizing the great potential of the women’s role in daily life.

Source: Pakistan Observer