Intl Conference on girls’ education to strengthen cooperation in Muslim countries to address challenges
PESHAWAR (APP): An international conference on girls’ education, held over two days in Islamabad, has garnered widespread praise across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with experts expressing hopes for practical solutions to the ongoing challenges facing girls’ education in Muslim communities, aligned with Islamic principles.
The successful holding of the conference has testfied Pakistan’s unwavering commitment towards promotion of girls education and encourge them to continue higher studies imperative for sustainable progress and prosperity of the future generation.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, former Director of Education, emphasized the importance of the conference for Muslim communities, especially Pakistan.
Talking to APP, he highlighted the various challenges, including misconceptions, economic imbalances, social taboos, and security concerns, that hinder the progress of girls’ education.
He pointed out that despite women comprising half of Pakistan’s population, the female literacy rate remains at a concerning 49 percent, with around 22.8 million children aged 5 to 8 years, including many girls, currently out of schools.
Dr. Ibrahim stressed the urgent need for solutions to key issues such as high dropout rates after matriculation due to the lack of educational institutions, transport, socio-economic disparities, and early marriages.
The conference, attended by over 150 international dignitaries—including ministers, ambassadors, scholars, and representatives from organizations like OICs, UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank—aims to create actionable recommendations to tackle these pressing issues.
He said poverty and preferance to sons over girls higher education in tribal societies increased girls droup out that needed to be addressed.
Dr Ibrahim appreciated the Federal Government endeavours of providing special financial incentives to millions of poor women for education of their girls under Benazir Bhutto Income Support Program.
In partnership with the Muslim World League (MWL), the Government of Pakistan launched a comprehensive platform to support girls’ education in Muslim societies, marking a significant step in advancing educational equality.
Former Ambassador Manzoorul Haq praised Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s inclusive inaugural address at the conference, which called for unity within the Muslim world to promote girls’ education.
Manzoorul Haq outlined the conference’s goal to foster international collaborations among governments, Islamic organizations, and global civil groups, thereby building a network across Muslim nations to advance girls’ education and contribute to mutual economic development.
The conference also aims to implement the principles laid out in the Charters of Makkah, which advocate for unity and cooperation among Islamic schools of thought and sects, and to honor resolutions adopted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states.
Ambassador Haq further explained that the conference sends a powerful message to the world that Islam, as a religion of knowledge, peace, and civilization, supports all measures enabling girls’ access to education.
He deplored any actions or legislation that prevent girls from accessing education, clarifying that such practices contradict Islamic teachings.
Experts at the conference are focusing on developing strategies to overcome the barriers impeding girls’ education and are committed to leveraging existing opportunities to improve educational outcomes.
The ultimate goal is to empower women to contribute meaningfully to their communities and society at large, in line with Islamic principles and the resolutions discussed at the event.
This historic conference marks a critical step in ensuring that girls’ education becomes a global priority, particularly in Muslim-majority nations, and that the rights and opportunities of women are upheld across the world.
