Will Girls Ever Achieve Equal Access to Education in Pakistan?
Despite some progress in education, significant disparities remain in Pakistan’s schooling system. Currently, approximately 41.5% of girls and 34.9% of boys are not attending school from primary through higher secondary levels, highlighting the urgent need for reform.
Education is a fundamental right that drives both national and individual advancement, yet gender inequalities continue to hinder girls’ access. Presently, around 13.71 million girls are out of school, facing barriers rooted in social norms and structures. While improvements in infrastructure and enrollment ratios have been made, the advancement of girls’ education has hit a roadblock.
According to the Pakistan Education Statistics (PES) report for 2022-23, approximately 21 million girls are enrolled in schools compared to 25 million boys. This data reveals a persistent gap, with girls being 7% less likely to attend school. The staggering statistics underscore the need for targeted efforts to close the educational access gap between genders and ensure that girls receive equal opportunities in education.
