Making Unequal Equal- Campaigning for Gender Equality through Education

By Baela Raza Jamil, Chief Executive Officer, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, Commissioner Education Commission, Member Platform for Girls Education

The Annual Status Education Report 2019 report highlights the challenges of Gender Inequality and possibilities for Gender Equality in Pakistan with data gathered on learning, access and equity across rural and urban areas. Closing the gap to achieve universal enrolment for girls and boys creates stronger chances for bridging the learning gap across genders as seen in the ASER urban and rural report cards. Wealth matters; children in the poorest income groups are left furthest behind, but girls more crippling than boys from the poorest families. The intra-group discrimination against girls in ASER 2019 reveals that compared to 73% poorest boys, 60% poorest girls are likely to be enrolled, highlighting a 13% gap and the learning gap for the poorest girls is 6-7% higher than their male counterparts. Conversely, as the enrolment becomes almost universal (Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad Capital Territory, Punjab) the gender based learning gaps disappear! For urgent actions by the government and other partners (non-state and development), it is vital to target innovative interventions for girls to address gender equality through a combination of education, life skills, technical vocational skilling and robust evidence to #LeaveNoGirlBehind.

Pakistan is no exception to the rules of global human development when it comes to girls’ education, the same principles of practice and outcomes apply.

• Investing in girls’ education is the key solution to many of our complex problems.
• Pakistan has too many girls out of school; women are only one-fourth of the labor force!
• Education for girls is the smartest of the investments; it must not be seen as consumption!
• Girls education means a ripple impact for multiple generations and externalities.
• Girls need at least 12 years of schooling with learning outcomes.

It is not surprising that many development partners and the newly appointed Special Envoy for Girls Education in UK Baronness Sugg forcefully advocated the same (March 2020).

With 17 % children still out of school (5-16 years), girls outnumber boys (9+% vs. 7+% boys/ASER 2019), vulnerable to adverse exclusionary customary practices including early child and forced marriages and pervasive gender based violence. Education entitlements matched by learning outcomes at pre-primary, primary, middle and secondary levels (Sustainable Development Goal 4 and Article 25 A of the Pakistani Constitution) are the best fortification for ensuring girls/women rights to health, nutrition, decent work, political representation, and security with sustainable living. Girls do not have to opt for traditional disciplines only, but can fly high with any subject/profession of their choice in sciences, mathematics, sciences, sports and performing arts, etc., as seen in Pakistan and elsewhere. Many parents, communities, students, teachers, law makers and influencers remain oblivious to evidence on benefits for girls’ education. Awareness campaigns backed by enabling facilities are critical with multiple role models becoming more publicly visible, propelling possibilities for girls’ achievements.

Campaigns for girl’s education are attention and action grabbers both nationally and globally pitched at diverse stakeholders. The International Women’s Day (IWD) actions on March 8^th annually are a case in point! The slogans, campaigns, manifestos on IWD generate debates, controversies making the hushed hitherto unspoken, become public; pushing judicial activism for Gender Equality and claiming the unclaimed space for “Collective Action” as a much needed accelerator. Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) leads the ASER nationwide assessment platform, is not only using evidence based data for actions on learning, inclusion and equity programs but has integrated campaigns for girl’s education into its service delivery initiatives backed by communication strategies both nationally and globally. There is a compelling need for education facilities/schools at post primary level for girls, supported by, scholarships, transport and security that will translate to improved and sustained Gender Equality in Pakistan.

ITA is implementing a cluster of programs for girls’ education, women empowerment and inclusion for all, promoting evidence based advocacy. These are:

• Siyani Sahelian (wise friends) or Advancing Action for Adolescent Girls (A3G) is a second chance flagship program for out of school girls (9-19 years) supporting the Platform for Girls Education (FCO); it is well aligned to the Girls Education Challenge (GEC).
• Girls Education Matters (GEM) Girls Scholarships at secondary and post-secondary levels, tertiary or TVET is another focused approach in South Punjab and across Pakistan!
• Education Foundation supported programs in Punjab and Sindh for Girls.
• Creating Spaces for ending early and forced child marriages and violence against women and
• AAWAZ II for the marginalized, targeting women, girls, minorities and disabled to demand services, that promote tolerance and prevent conflicts.

The campaigns for girl’s education have mushroomed in Pakistan and are timely.

#LeaveNoGirlBehind by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office accelerating Girls Education globally and in the commonwealth countries.

#GirlsLearnWomenEarn a 100-day campaign launched on December 11, 2019, by the World Bank in Islamabad to offset the debacle of “Learning Poverty” which is 75% in Pakistan, where 10 year olds in school or out of school cannot read a simple text with understanding!

#Alif Say Uraan (let girls rise) was launched on 24^th January 2020 on the International Day of Education jointly by Oxfam in Pakistan and ITA.

These campaigns are all demanding 12 years of minimum education for ALL Girls starting early, with learning outcomes backed by public sector resources across Pakistan. Yes, Girls can do anything with 12 years of education! They can be scientists, artists, sportswomen, IT/software experts, social scientists, entrepreneurs, civil servants, parliamentarians, etc.

Poverty, social norms of indiscriminate unthinking violence, insecurity and escalating incidents of armed conflicts and violence have led to a decrease in girls’ enrollment and an increase in gender disparity in education. As highlighted by Oxfam in Pakistan’s Country Director “it is time we work towards a Pakistan where every girl has access to quality education- because Girls Education Matters!”

As the Commissioner of the Education Commission and Member of the Platform for Girls Education (FCO), Baela Raza Jamil CEO ITA seeks Pledges by influencers and policy makers, the Prime Minister, President and the Chief Ministers for 12 Years of Girls Education in Pakistan!  The International Women’s Day 2020 must be a turning point to claim the fundamental right to Education for 5-16-year-old girls!

Just do it and watch our girls soar!