A famous African proverb states, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
While education is very important for every individual on its own, educating girls is most important. When girls are educated, their country’s social and economic standing becomes stronger, leading towards rapid prosperity.
According to Article 37 of the Constitution of Pakistan, women’s education is a basic right. However, gender disparity continues to exist in our educational sector. According to UNDP’s 2011 Human Development Report, approximately twice as many males as females receive a secondary education in Pakistan and public expenditures on education amount to only 2.7% of the GDP of the country.
The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said, “Verily acquisition of knowledge is binding on every Muslim.” Every Muslim which includes women too!
The people who don’t believe in sending their daughters to school arguing that they will someday get married and so educating them is unnecessary, are often the same people who go from hospital to hospital looking for a lady doctor to treat their mothers and wives. This proves the immense importance of sending girls to schools.
Women often do not stand up for their rights because they are often unaware that the maltreatment being vetted out to them is wrong. Many resign to their fate in the face of domestic violence, abusive behaviour and even harassment because they do not have the necessary knowledge and skills to protect themselves. Unless women are empowered through at least 12 years of education, they will never be able to stand up for themselves.
Thus, just 12 years of education can help girls to grow-up into empowered adults who can also economically contribute towards the development of their country.