Overcoming socio-cultural customs through Education for girls in Pakistan
A force is steadily driving change in Pakistan from the bustling urban areas to the quiet rural areas. The Citizens Foundation (TCF) and its corresponding branch in the United States (TCF-USA) are changing the lives of disadvantaged children, mostly girls and women, through the power of education.
According to global statistics, Pakistan is one of the nations with the highest number of children out of school. Girls form more than half of the students out of school resulting to higher out-of-school rates for girls than boys in every level of school.
TCF has, therefore, taken steps to address the challenge head-on by setting up education facilities in underserved areas and ensuring gender balance in classrooms. The aim of the TCF is to promote gender equality and create a safe and culturally acceptable learning environment.
TFC also works with the local communities to create awareness about the importance of girl child education and provide financial support and scholarships. The Foundation is able to break barriers and empower girls to chase their educational dreams through the support of the local communities.
The CEO of TCF-USA, Salman Hasan, said: “Every girl who joins The Citizens Foundation (TCF) family embarks on a path of change.” “Whether she is a little girl eager to learn, a young alumna ready to lead, or an uneducated woman learning to read, our aim is to empower them with the skills and confidence to achieve their dreams.”
TCF-USA supports the work of its subsidiary in Pakistan through its grants. TCF-USA raises funds, mobilizes resources and creates awareness to provide education to children in Pakistan. TCF is the largest private employer of women across Pakistan, with a record of over 14,000 female teachers.
The foundation also focuses on education solutions such as academic learning and community development programs. The aim of TCF-USA is to ensure that every child has access to education regardless of their gender or socio-economic background.
TCF educational facilities are sanctuaries of hope and ambition and not just educational institutions. The foundation has a network of 1,921 schools in underserved cities and rural areas, serving about 286,000 children, nearly half of the student population being girls.
The focus on gender is ensure that girl receive the same opportunities like their male counterparts, which is a crucial step in shifting society customs.
The program extends beyond the classroom; the TCF’s Alumni Development Programs provide career support to graduates who are pursuing careers of their choice. Many alumni also return to TCF schools as teachers, principals and role models to the younger ones.
The foundation also provides vocational skills through their Vocational Training Programs to equip young women with the needed skills to make a living. These programs assist women to take control of their lives and take the necessary steps to break out of poverty.
Hasan stressed that: “Education empowers them to pursue diverse careers and contribute to their communities. Beyond education, TCF empowers women with literacy, life skills and vocational competencies enabling them to enhance their family’s wellbeing and actively participate in the society. Aagahi empowers women to take charge ”
Collaborating with organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Development & Economic Alternatives (IDEAS) enable TCF further their efforts. The Gates Foundation founded a recent study with the aim of understanding the impact of sustained quality of female empowerment ad shifting social norms regarding gender.
Dr Asyia Kazmi, Global Education Lead at the Gates Foundation, stated: “It is crucial we understand if and how education contributes to gender parity and gender changes and use this information to inform educational programming.”
TCF-USA is not educating children but transforming the entire community through its holistic approach. The foundation ensures sustainable and impactful change by integrating community needs like water purification projects and financial literacy programs.
Hasan added that “Together, we can create a Pakistan where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.”
