Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for collective efforts to develop scalable and sustainable solutions for girls' education while ensuring that their rights are well respected, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Addressing the opening session of the two-day International Conference on Girls' Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities in Islamabad on Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that this cause is worth fighting for, worth committing resources to and worth advocating for.
Shehbaz Sharif said millions of young girls over the next decade will enter the job market, emphasizing they have the potential not just to lift themselves, their families and nations out of poverty but also to enrich the global economy.
He said they owe it to our mothers, sisters, and daughters to ensure that their rights are respected, their ambitions are fulfilled, and that no cultural inhibitions stand in the way of achieving their dreams.
Shehbaz Sharif said that despite our rich legacy, the Muslim world including Pakistan faces significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to education for girls. He noted that denying education to girls is tantamount to denying them their voice and the choice while depriving them of their right to a bright future.
He pointed out that in Pakistan, women make up more than half of the total population, yet the female literacy rate stands at only 49 percent. Alarmingly, he said around 22.8 million children in the age bracket of five to 16 years are out of school with a disproportionate number being girls.
The Prime Minister said a major step towards addressing education disparities in Pakistan was the establishment of Daanish schools, a unique initiative introduced to provide quality education to unprivileged children in rural and under developed areas. He said this initiative is now being replicated in far-flung regions of Pakistan, paving the way for a promising and more inclusive future.
He said through our flagship youth programme, the government is committed to providing quality education, creating jobs and offering meaningful opportunities which include scholarships and vocational training in demand driven skills such as Artificial Intelligence, data analytics and cyber security as well as provision of laptops to high achievers.
Shehbaz Sharif said the pursuit of knowledge is a sacred duty for every Muslim regardless of gender as emphasized by Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
He said we have decided to place Islamabad declaration to be signed by this conference before the UN including the UN Security Council as a collective aspiration of the Ummah.
The Prime Minister's speech was followed by signing of International Partnership Agreement which represents a collective commitment to furthering the cause of girls' education.
The two-day international conference on “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities” commenced, bringing together experts, policymakers and educators from around the globe to address critical issues surrounding girls’ education in Muslim-majority regions.
The event, which is hosting approximately 150 delegates from 47 countries, aims to identify actionable solutions to the barriers hindering education for girls in these communities.
The participants will also explore opportunities to foster dialogue and promote inclusive educational practices that empower young women.
During the inaugural session, the speakers emphasized the transformative role of education in improving the socio-economic conditions of Muslim communities. They also highlighted persistent challenges, including cultural constraints, poverty, and limited access to quality education, which continue to impede progress in many regions.
The conference seeks to encourage collaboration among stakeholders to design innovative policies and strategies that address these challenges.
Panel discussions, keynote speeches, and interactive sessions are planned over the course of the event, focusing on themes such as the role of religious and cultural leaders, technological integration in education, and funding mechanisms to improve access to schools.
The conference is expected to conclude tomorrow with a set of recommendations and a roadmap for improving girls’ education globally.
Reporter Rozina Ali