Pakistan calls for urgent focus on girls’ education in Muslim countries

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for urgent action to prioritize girls’ education in Muslim countries, highlighting the barriers that prevent millions of girls in the region from accessing education.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day international conference titled Education of Girls in Muslim Societies in Islamabad, Sharif addressed the pressing issue of educational inequality. He pointed out that over 22 million children in Pakistan alone are unable to attend school, with a disproportionate number of them being girls.

The gathering aims to create collaborative solutions to advance girls’ education in Muslim countries and ensure that all girls have the opportunity to learn and thrive. The global focus on girls’ education remains vital as Muslim countries work together to overcome these challenges and secure educational opportunities for future generations.

“Ensuring equal access to education for girls in Muslim countries is a major challenge, and it requires immediate action,” Sharif stated. “We must focus on providing opportunities for girls to receive education in Muslim countries, as this will have a profound impact on their future and the future of our nations.”

Sharif stressed that educating girls is not only vital for their own well-being but also for the prosperity of their families and nations. He emphasized the potential of young girls to contribute significantly to the global economy, asserting that empowering them through education could help eradicate poverty and promote growth.

The conference brought together influential leaders and experts from Muslim-majority countries to address the obstacles preventing girls from receiving an education. Among the attendees was Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, a prominent advocate for girls’ education worldwide.

“I am excited to join Muslim leaders from across the globe for this critical conference on girls’ education,” Yousafzai wrote on social media. “I look forward to discussing how we can protect the right to education for every girl and why the international community must hold the Taliban accountable for their violations against Afghan girls and women.”