The constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan states that every woman has access to education; it is a fundamental right to every female citizen. Although, gender discrepancies still exist in the educational sector. In some parts, the girl child has zero or fewer chances of obtaining a good education, than that of the male child. In Pakistan, the female child is taught to embrace the traditional gender roles of her society, rather than envisioning a dream to go to school.
This patriarchal division has become a controversial discussion in the world. Patriarchal values amass a stronghold in the social structure in Pakistan. The male folks hold a stronger voice than that of the female folks. Women are majorly put within the roles of the kitchen and maintaining the home, while the man is the superior one, the breadwinner of a family.
Women, Gender Roles And Pakistan
These three spheres have become the area of concern for people around the world. Patriarchal society highly dominates the social structure of Pakistan. It was reported that 31 million girls meant to be in primary school are out of school, which of the 17 million out this has zero chances of being in school. Most women in Pakistan want their children to go to school because they believe that it is empowering for women to be educated. However, patriarchy in Pakistan stops the flow of this from happening.
The gender roles assigned to women includes getting married after or before the age of 18. Women are kept silent on making a decision in a family; they undergo a certain level of gender inequality in Pakistan. The average girl in Pakistan is taught that her place as a woman is within the four walls of her home, it doesn’t go beyond that. Although this is questionable in certain sectors, in the rural areas during agricultural work both men and women are expected to contribute equally.
Why Do We need to Fight For Girl’s Education in Pakistan?
Education is an important input; it is an access to development and personal empowerment. The education of women and girls in Pakistan should be enforced, if this is done, there will definitely be an increase in contribution to the economy. Girls being educated will help contribute to human resource development and the economic growth of the country. There will be an increase in the productivity and efficiency of individuals which will lead the economy towards a sustainable growth and maintain a good of child survival rate in Pakistan. First of all, patriarchy should be curbed.
Men should be taught to see that educating a woman is not a bad thing rather is an opportunity for them to build and be a part of society. The young activist and blogger Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head and neck by Taliban insurgents on the 9th of October 2012 after she blogged about the destruction of schools and closing of the all-girls school in her town Mingora in the Swat District. Destruction of schools and killings has led to the slow growth of girl’s education in some areas like Baluchistan and Swat. If this is curbed, there will be a good room for girl’s education in Pakistan.

There have been many efforts done by Government, national and international NGOs for the girl’s Education in Pakistan but the situation is alarming in most part of the country. Family pressures, socio-cultural obstacles coupled with a defunct schooling system restrict access even to basic education. We as a society are failing to provide these girls with Schools and awareness. They deserve a better life than this. It is not about their life only we can’t expect any change or development in the country if a big issue is neglected. Only through educational empowerment of girls can we expect to see the country’s fortune change for the better!

Ms. Maryam Nasrullah
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NOTE: VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE THE PERSONAL VIEWS OF WRITER AND DO NOT REPRESENT PAGE