PM Calls for Urgent Action to Address Education Sector Issues
PM Urges Global Collaboration to Advance Girls’ Education at Int’l Conference
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged joint efforts to create scalable and sustainable solutions for girls’ education, ensuring their rights.
Speaking on Saturday at the start of the two-day International Conference on Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that this cause deserves dedication, investment, and advocacy.
He stated that millions of young girls will enter the workforce in the coming decade, underscoring their potential to uplift themselves, their families, and their countries from poverty and contribute positively to the global economy.
He argued that we owe it to our mothers, sisters, and daughters to guarantee that their rights are honored, their aspirations achieved, and that cultural barriers do not hinder their dreams.
Shehbaz Sharif expressed that despite our rich heritage, the Muslim world, including Pakistan, faces considerable challenges in providing equitable educational opportunities for girls. He remarked that preventing girls from receiving an education is equivalent to stripping them of their voice and choices while denying them the right to a brighter future.
He highlighted that in Pakistan, women constitute over half of the population, yet the literacy rate among females is only 49 percent. Alarmingly, he noted that approximately 22.8 million children aged five to 16 are out of school, with a disproportionate number being girls.
The Prime Minister stated that a significant step toward rectifying educational inequalities in Pakistan was the creation of Daanish schools, a unique initiative aimed at delivering quality education to underprivileged children in rural and underserved regions. He mentioned that this initiative is now being expanded into remote areas of Pakistan, paving the way for a hopeful and more inclusive future.
He stated that through our primary youth initiative, the government is dedicated to offering high-quality education, generating employment, and providing valuable opportunities such as scholarships and vocational training in high-demand fields like Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, and cyber security, in addition to supplying laptops to top performers. Shehbaz Sharif asserted that seeking knowledge is a sacred responsibility for every Muslim, regardless of gender, as highlighted by the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). He mentioned that we have resolved to present the Islamabad declaration for endorsement by this conference at the UN, including the UN Security Council, representing a collective aspiration of the Ummah.
Following the Prime Minister’s address, the International Partnership Agreement was signed, symbolizing a shared commitment to advancing girls’ education. The two-day global conference titled “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities” has begun, bringing together specialists, legislators, and educators worldwide to tackle essential issues regarding girls’ education in predominantly Muslim regions. The event, hosting around 150 delegates from 47 nations, aims to identify practical solutions to the obstacles that impede girls’ education in these communities. Participants will also explore ways to encourage dialogue and promote inclusive educational practices empowering young women. During the opening session, speakers underscored the transformative impact of education on enhancing the socio-economic conditions within Muslim communities.
They also pointed out ongoing challenges, such as cultural barriers, poverty, and inadequate access to quality education, which continue to hinder progress in various areas. The conference aims to promote stakeholder collaboration to develop innovative policies and strategies that tackle these issues. A series of panel discussions, keynote addresses, and interactive sessions are scheduled throughout the event, concentrating on topics like the involvement of religious and cultural leaders, the integration of technology into education, and funding strategies to improve school access. The conference will wrap up tomorrow with recommendations and a strategic plan for enhancing girls’ education globally.
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