Posted to Sister Zeph’s Journal
By Sister Zeph
On 17 September, 2013
Zainab Tairq Student of 8th Standard, Zephaniah Free Education.
This question astounds me: What is the role of girls in a country’s progress? Is this even a valid question in the 21st century? Girls have been breaking barriers and achieving remarkable milestones worldwide. They’ve assumed positions as prime ministers, exemplified by the likes of Benazir Bhutto. They’ve soared as pilots, even as fighter pilots, and have dedicated themselves to education as teachers, shaping the minds of new generations and equipping them to confront the challenges of today’s world. Girls have emerged as foreign ministers for their countries, and simultaneously, they hold the essential role of interior minister within their homes as wives, mothers, and daughters. They are career women, juggling multifaceted responsibilities.
Consider Arfa Kareem, who, at the tender age of eight, developed software that no man in our country had accomplished in the past 65 years. Malala Yousafzai, another exemplary girl, elevated her country’s standing globally and demonstrated that there are advocates for peace and education in our nation who are unafraid to make sacrifices for these causes.
Asma Jahangir, a formidable woman, has devoted her life to championing the rights of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized. She continues to stand up for justice and remains unafraid, regardless of how powerful her adversaries may be. Our very own Sister Zeph, a woman who began volunteering as a teacher at the age of 13 in an open-air setting, has educated over five hundred girls. Her tireless efforts remain largely unrecognized by the world, yet she persists in her mission to educate and empower women across the globe.
Are these examples not sufficient to prove that women possess wisdom, possess the capacity to think and make decisions, and are complete human beings? Then why do women face mistreatment in our society? Why is it that only 47% of girls can attend school in Pakistan compared to a 70% attendance rate for boys? Why are girls denied the opportunity to showcase their abilities? If education were detrimental, men should also forgo it. If it is beneficial, why are women deprived of this essential pursuit?
Girls are often confined to domestic roles such as cleaning and cooking and are expected to unquestioningly obey family members. They are denied an education, often under the assumption that their primary purpose is marriage. But even if we accept this premise, it’s important to remember that they will eventually marry a man, and both partners will share a life together as a couple. In such a context, isn’t it crucial for them to have equal intellectual capabilities and a shared perspective to understand each other? Can they truly lead fulfilling lives if they must constantly explain their aspirations and values to one another?
How can a society progress when it sacrifices its girls to outdated customs and rules? Girls make up 50% of our population. If we could progress through such practices, why are we still stagnating after 65 years of independence? If not, then it is high time we provide equal educational opportunities to all girls and boys in Pakistan, allowing them to explore their potential.
Sincerely,
Zainab Tariq
8th Standard Student
Zephaniah Free Education