More than 22 million children are out of school in Pakistan - most of them girls

Girl Rising Pakistan

Despite progress in girls education in Pakistan over the last decade, more than 10 million girls are not in school with boys outnumbering girls at every stage of education. Yet getting girls to school and equipping them with reading and writing skills is not enough to help them achieve academic and life goals. Improving and sustaining the quality of education is of utmost importance for encouraging school retention and ensuring social and emotional skill building.

Adolescents in Sindh, especially girls, continue to face a range of challenges related to their social emotional learning, freedom of expression and participation in decisions pertaining to their education and aspirations. Pervasive gender stereotypes, the lack of infrastructure and awareness around girls’ menstrual health and hygiene, gender bias in school and lack of parental engagement worsens the situation for girls.

Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach with participation from girls, caregivers, and educators. Girl Rising’s program builds social emotional skills and an understanding of their rights to help them persis in their education. We engage with parents so they are allies for their daughters’ education. We help educators need to develop more gender equitable and aspirational learning environments and build partnerships with families.