Dusty streets and silent dreams: Women's struggle for education in rural Pakistan

Educated women are vital to building strong, healthy and thriving societies. Women's education is not just a fundamental right. It is also an essential driver for social development, economic development and empowerment of generations. Educated women are more likely to guarantee their children's school admission, make good health and financial choices, and actively engage in the workforce. Their empowerment elevates communities and strengthens national development.

An Overview of Women's Education in Pakistan

Despite its importance, the status of women's education in Pakistan presents numerous challenges. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (2023), the national literacy rate of women is 51.9 percent while the male literacy rate is 73.4 percent. In rural areas, this inequality increases, where female literacy often falls below 40 per cent. While urban areas provide relatively better access to educational institutions, girls in rural areas face more barriers, such as inadequate schools, inadequate infrastructure, social barriers, and poverty. These inequalities are a threat to the National Development Goals and highlight the urgent need to focus on educational reforms in rural areas.

Women's Education in Sindh

In Sindh, the situation is particularly alarming in rural districts like Tharparkar, Jacobabad and Umerkot. Pakistan Education Statistics 2021-22 (NEMIS) data shows that more than 48 per cent of girls in rural Sindh are not enrolled in schools. Many government schools lack women staff, basic sanitation and boundary walls that prevent parents from sending their daughters to school. Early marriage and deep-rooted gender roles further prevent women's enrolment. Despite having relatively better education indicators in urban areas, Sindh's rural education system continues to fail its female population.

Women's Education in Balochistan

According to the Bureau of Statistics, balochistan has the lowest female literacy rate in Pakistan and it is only 33 percent. Only 27 per cent of rural girls enroll in primary schools, and at the secondary level this percentage drops considerably. The province is facing severe geographical divisions, lack of infrastructure and acute shortage of teachers. Cultural conservatism and tribal customs further limit girls' opportunities for education. The majority of rural girls in Balochistan are not associated with any formal education system, due to which achieving educational equality is a big challenge.

Factors leading to educational loss for rural women

Cultural and social barriers significantly limit rural women's access to education. In many rural communities, girls are expected to stay at home, help with household chores, or get married at an early age. These traditional beliefs consider education unnecessary for women, which perpetuates gender inequality. Furthermore, schools with few numbers of female teachers, co-education or male staffed schools in conservative areas prevent families from admitting girls to schools.

Government steps to increase women's education

In Punjab, the Jewel Education Initiative and the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) work to promote girls' education in districts with low literacy rates. Sindh has introduced a girls scholarship program and prepared a plan for its education sector even though it is facing difficulties in governance. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has established girls' community schools and offered scholarships emphasizing infrastructure development and access through educational scholarship programs. Balochistan, despite facing significant hurdles, is following a community-based education model and recruiting women teachers through its education sector project with the help of development partners.

While these measures represent significant progress, their effectiveness is hampered by their poor implementation, lack of funds and socio-cultural constraints, especially in rural and tribal areas.

What can be done

A holistic approach is needed to enhance the education of rural women. The government should increase funding for education, focus on rural infrastructure – develop more schools that are girl-friendly, recruit female teachers, and provide essential facilities like sanitation and security. Community awareness initiatives can work to change harmful gender stereotypes. It is equally important to increase conditional cash transfer schemes and ensure safe transportation options for girls. Sustainable development requires consistent policies, strong political will and transparency.

Result: The Road Ahead

Advancing the education of rural women is not only a moral responsibility but also an economic necessity. This results in healthier households, reduced poverty levels and empowered communities. Educated women are more inclined to join the workforce, promote tolerance and ensure that the next generation also gets education. Bridging the gender, rural and urban education divide should be the focus of national attention for Pakistan to achieve sustainable development and equality.