Ours is a country that believes in women’s empowerment through education only in words but coming to reality, nothing concrete is found. Despite tall claims about regulating a proper female education framework, the reality on the ground is contradictory to the strong words.
Simply put, no one can deny the importance of female education in Pakistan. Women constitute about 52% of the Pakistani population. As far as the situation in Pakistan is concerned, women have a very low literacy rate thus a low chance of prospering.
Malala Yousafzai, a female education activist: “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”
In this comity of nations, those countries which empower women through women’s education are at the top-notch positions of HDI while the developing countries are behind these countries. The underdeveloped nations who push their women to the wall have no say in the scheme of things. There are a lot of real-time blockades hampering the educational development of women.
Critically Analyzing the Importance of Female Education in Pakistan
In order to grasp the thesis, we need to a glance at the urgency of female education in Pakistan:
Women Constitute More Than Half of the Population
First, as per the census 2017, Pakistan has a population of 220 million of which women is a major chunk. Women constitute almost 52 percent of our population. It makes it clear that we are negating their basic right to education we are depriving more than half of the population of their basic right.
Women As Custodians of Next-Generation
Secondly, women are said to be the custodians of our coming generation. If we are educating a mother, we are not merely instructing her but a whole generation. An educated mother will successfully impart the fruitful lessons of history to her children. Thus she can make them useful citizens. As Morgan Harper Nichols has rightly pointed out,
“She does not know what the future holds, but she is grateful for slow and steady growth.“
Educated Women As a Harbinger of Social Change
Thirdly, women are considered harbingers of social change. It is said that if you wanna turn social evils into goods you should focus on the instruction of women. She can create a healthy and positive atmosphere for social progress.
Women As an Agent of Economic Boom
Fourthly, Pakistan is going through a severe economic meltdown. It has been often and again into this cycle after some intervals. It underscores the importance of female education greatly. It can be easily noticed that if we are depriving 52 percent of our population of their basic right, how we can be assured of sustainable growth? Educated women with the right kind of skills can facilitate the process of an economic boom that will usher this country into a new era. As Justine Greening, the development secretary of the UK pointed out,
“No country can truly develop if half its population is left behind.“
Educated Women with the Potential for Leadership
Fifthly, the political empowerment of women is also linked to their education. If the women of Pakistan are provided with the right kind of skills and education, they can fill the leadership gap that has been witnessed since the inception of Pakistan. Educated women with visionary thinking can fill the leadership loopholes in the political arena. The example of Denmark is before us.
Educated Women As a Countering Force to Rising Specter of Extremism
Sixthly, educated women can act as a countering force to the rising evil of terrorism. She can mitigate the frustration and violent tendencies with her soft but reasoning arguments to their respective societies. This will purge our society of all the evils of lawlessness and horrendous crimes.
Women as True Messengers of Culture and Civilization
Last but not least, the importance of education can be gauged from the fact that the women of Pakistan can be true messengers of the Islamic civilization to the next generation. They can inculcate in their children proper social decorum and ethics.
An Educated Mother is a Necessary Medium to Create a Healthy Mindset in children
It has been a proven fact by science that those children whose mothers are well educated and can decide for their health as well as for their family experience a healthy mindset.
Prevailing Data and Statistics About the Education of Women in Pakistan
When we consider the current data and statistics of women in Pakistan, we see that a dismal picture has been painted. In the following paragraph, we shall discuss the disappointing state of female education in Pakistan:
Women’s Share in Overall Literacy Rate Presents a Doomsday Scenario
The literacy rate of Pakistan hovers around 60 to 65 percent. If we dissect the picture further, we will notice that the share of women is only 48% compared with 70% of men.
A Major Chunk of Girls Still Out of School
In addition to that, Pakistan has 22.5 million children who do not attend school, the majority of whom are girls. By grade nine, only 13 percent of girls are still enrolled.
Women at the Tertiary Level of Education
If you cast a glance at the college and university level, you may find out that only 18 percent of women make it to the higher education level. 82 percent of women in Pakistan are still undocumented.
Related Resource: How Reading Changes Your Life?
Various Factors Feeding the Monster of Gender Segregation
In order to treat an ailment, we have to look at the underlying causes which may have been exacerbating it:
Social Barriers
There are some ultra-conservative elements in Pakistani society that are against the education of women. They argue that an educated mother can not be a good housewife and she degrades the name of her parents.
Economic Barriers
Further, there is a lack of resources for females to pursue their careers in Pakistan Either there is a lack of institutions or infrastructure women feel hesitant to join these institutions.
Poverty is a Major Roadblock in Educating Women
In addition to that poverty is another factor hampering the realization of the dream of women’s empowerment.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling and Educating Females on Equal Footing with Females
It is the right time to sort out the problem as it has capped the climax. Following are the pragmatic solutions to realizing our dream.
Provision of Free Education to girls on a priority basis
First, the government should make it her priority that all the girls of school-going age shall be provided with free education. The use of online apps and educational websites can be the right direction in this regard.
Necessary Skills to be imparted
Moreover, fundamental technical and vocational skills should be imparted to empower women. For this, the network of institutes should be expanded.
The Example of Bangladesh to be Followed in this Regard
When Bangladesh separated, it empowered its women through the provision of free education. Now Bangladesh is performing in the sustainable development goals.
Sustainable Development Goals Related to Women Need to Be Preferred
Additionally, Pakistan needs to prefer the SDGs related to women in Pakistan and their education. A separate committee may be established in this regard.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, we may conclude that has been truly argued that women hold up half of the sky. Although the indicators in Pakistan related to the education of females are not satisfactory the time is not far when we will turn the tide in our favor through persistent struggles and dedication.
If all the stakeholders are on the same page and commit that all political matters aside, we will not compromise on this sensitive issue, the day is not far when Pakistan will fare better in Human Development Index.