PESHAWAR, Jan 12 (APP): In a world striving for equality and sustainable development, empowering girls through quality education stands as a cornerstone to achieve success in life.
Education is not just a fundamental human right, but a transformative force that can break cycles of poverty, enhance economic opportunities, and foster social progress in world.
Globally, millions of girls still face barriers to get education due to various factors such as poverty, gender discrimination, early marriage, securty issues and cultural norms.
Like other developing muslims countries, Pakistan where half of its population are female, carried about a concerning 49 percent literacy rate, with around 22.8 million children aged 5 to 8 years, including many girls, currently out of schools, said Professor Dr Hafiz Muhamnad Ibrahim Khan, former Chairman, Institute of Education and Rsesrch at University of Peshawar while talking to APP.
“When girls are educated, they are more likely to secure jobs, become entrepreneurs, and contribute to the economy.”
He said educated girls are more likely to make informed decisions about their health and well-being of her family.
By fostering girls’ confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills, he said that education enables girls to advocate for their rights and participate actively in decision-making processes within their communities.
Dr. Ibrshim said an educated mothers tend to invest in education of their own children, which perpetuates the cycle of growth and development besides preparing a responsible generation to shoulder future responsibilities.
The experts welcomed the international conference on girls’ education, held over two days in Islamabad, expressing the hope for practical solutions to existing challenges facing girls’ education in Muslim communities, aligned with Islamic principles.
Dr. Ibrahim stressed the urgent need for an urgent solutions to key issues such as high dropout rates after matriculation due to the lack of educational institutions, transport, socio-economic disparities, and early marriages.
The conference, attended by over 150 international dignitaries—including ministers, ambassadors, scholars, and representatives from organizations like OICs, UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank—was aimed to create actionable recommendations to tackle these pressing issues.
While lauding the Federal Government’s efforts for the successful international conference on girls education, the experts said Pakistan’s global image has significantly been enhanced after this landmark event.
Ikhtair Wali, PMLN KP Information secretary said that the impressive conference arranged by the Govt of Pakistan in partnership with the Muslim World League (MWL), as provided a comprehensive platform to support girls’ education in Muslim societies, marking a significant step in advancing educational equality.
He said the women were being imparted special technical education and vocational skills under Benazir Bhutto Income Support Program, enabling them to acquire dignified jobs besides special quota in parliament and civil service.
.
Former Ambassador Manzoorul Haq praised Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s inclusive inaugural address at the international conference, which called for unity within the Muslim world to promote girls’ education.
The key goal of the conference is to foster international collaboration among the governments, Islamic organizations, and global civil groups, thereby building a network across Muslim nations to advance girls’ education and contribute to mutual economic development.
The conference also aims to implement the principles laid out in the Charters of Makkah, which advocate for unity and cooperation among Islamic schools of thought and sects, and to honor resolutions adopted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states.
Ambassador Manzoor further explained that the conference sends a powerful message to the world that Islam, as a religion of knowledge, peace, and civilization, supports all measures enabling girls’ access to education.
He deplored any actions or legislation that prevent girls from accessing education, clarifying that such practices contradict Islamic teachings.
Manzoor said that special developing strategies needed to be focused to overcome the barriers impeding girls’ education.
The ultimate goal is to empower women to contribute meaningfully to their communities and society at large, in line with Islamic principles and the resolutions discussed at the event, he said and added that this historic conference marked a critical step in ensuring that girls’ education becomes a global priority, particularly in Muslim-majority nations and that the rights and opportunities of women were upheld across the world.
The future of education for girls depends on collaborative efforts. Governments must prioritize education funding, remove discriminatory policies, and create safe learning environments, he expressed.
The experts said communities need to support girls’ education through awareness programs and by challenging traditional gender norms.
With collective action, the dream of universal girls’ education can become a reality, unlocking a brighter and more prosperous future for all.
By investing in girls’ education today, we are not just investing in individual success; we are creating the foundation for a better tomorrow. Girls’ education is indeed a key to success for both individuals and societies, propelling us toward a more equal and sustainable educated world.