ISLAMABAD: Pakistan launched its National Gender Strategy (2024-2027) on Tuesday to deliver lasting, transformative change for millions of girls between ten to nineteen years old.
If the strategy is effectively implemented from urban to rural areas, it can drive change, address inequalities and improve the lives of all girls and women, including those living with a disability.
Nilofer Bakhtiar, Chairperson National Commission on the Status of Women, said that striving for equal opportunities for all, particularly girls, is fundamental to Pakistan’s progress. Investing in girls is a win-win situation for everyone.
She said that it can lead to higher incomes and increased productivity, benefiting not only girls but also the entire nation. By investing in girls’ leadership, we unlock their full potential and pave the way for their brighter future, Nilofer added.
Challenges for Adolescent Girls in Pakistan
Today, adolescent girls in Pakistan face major challenges in their education, nutrition, health, and well-being. For example, Pakistan is home to about 19 million child brides.
In addition, more than half of adolescent girls, or 54%, are pregnant before their 18th birthday which can be life-threatening for the mother and the child. A staggering 88% of adolescent girls live in poverty which hampers the country’s progress.
Inoussa Kabore, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Pakistan, said that millions of children, most of whom are girls, are facing devastating challenges in their daily lives. Often, they cannot use even basic social services like health care. They are forced to drop out of school because of early marriage, deep-rooted social norms, and poverty.
Inoussa Kabore said that if all girls and women were to have the opportunities that are their right, such as studying, and working, they would contribute to the economy and help the country to prosper. No nation will get ahead if half its population is left behind. UNICEF was looking forward to working with the government, communities, civil society organizations, girls and women, men and boys, to change the national dialogue on this critical issue.
During the launch, UNICEF presented URAAN, which embodies UNICEF’s spirit of gender equality, with wings that symbolize greater equity in programming on gender.
