Pakistan hosts an international summit to promote girls’ education in Muslim-majority countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized on Saturday that educating girls is a cause worth striving for, investing in, and advocating passionately.
At the inaugural session of the two-day “International Conference on Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities,” held in Islamabad, the PM called for collective efforts to develop scalable and sustainable solutions for girls’ education.
Educational Crisis in Pakistan
Pakistan is grappling with a severe educational crisis, with over 26 million children out of school, most of whom are in rural areas. The PM declared an “education emergency” last year and announced plans to increase the education budget from 1.7% of GDP to 4% over the next five years.
He stressed that millions of young girls entering the job market in the next decade have the potential to not only lift themselves and their families out of poverty but also significantly contribute to the global economy.
Challenges in the Muslim World
The PM highlighted significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to education for girls across the Muslim world, including Pakistan. He stated that depriving girls of education equates to denying them their right to a brighter future.
In Pakistan, despite women making up over half of the population, the female literacy rate stands at a mere 49%. Alarmingly, approximately 22.8 million children aged 5 to 16 years are out of school, with a disproportionate number being girls.
The Danish School Model
PM Shehbaz referenced the Danish schools initiative, a unique model providing quality education to underprivileged children in rural and underdeveloped areas, now being expanded to remote regions of Pakistan.
Through the government’s flagship youth program, the administration is committed to offering quality education, creating jobs, and providing scholarships and vocational training.
The PM reiterated that the pursuit of knowledge is a sacred duty for every Muslim, as emphasized by Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
The conference concluded with the signing of the “Islamabad Declaration,” symbolizing a collective commitment to advancing girls’ education. The declaration is set to be presented before the United Nations as a shared aspiration of the Muslim world.
