Girls’ education advocated as 'economic necessity'

Islamabad:Federal Minister of Education Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui underscored the significance of girls' education as both a moral imperative and an economic necessity.

During the closing session of the two-day International Conference on "Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities” hosted by his ministry here, Dr Siddiqui expressed pride in the success of the conference and said he was committed to ensuring that every child in Pakistan, irrespective of gender or socio-economic background, has access to quality education.

"Education is the key factor for girl's empowerment, prosperity, development, and welfare. Unfortunately, some communities still differentiate against the education of the girl child. As a nation, we must work together to challenge these societal norms and attitudes that discriminate against girls' education," he said.

The minister said girls' education was not just a moral imperative; it's an economic necessity.

He said educated girls were more likely to secure better-paying jobs, contribute to their families and communities, and invest in their own children's education. "Despite the overwhelming benefits of girls' education, we still face significant challenges in Pakistan. Millions of girls are out of school, and those who do attend often face barriers such as poverty, deep rooted social and cultural norms, and lack of access to sanitation facilities," he said.

The minister said the government had launched several initiatives to promote girls' education, reduce the number of out-of-school girls, and improve the quality of education across the country.

He said efforts were afoot to improve the infrastructure of schools, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas, like the construction of new schools, the provision of scholarships and stipends, and the training of teachers to better support the needs of girls.

Dr Siddiqui urged all stakeholders to remain committed to the cause of girls' education. "We need to work together to challenge harmful stereotypes and social norms that perpetuate inequality and discrimination against girls."

The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to advancing girls' education across Pakistan. "We will continue working tirelessly to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to learn and thrive," he said.