On International Women’s Day 2026, we remember that the future of Pakistan and Pakistani women is inseparable from the empowerment of its daughters. When we invest in girls, we not only change individual lives; we shape the trajectory of economies, societies and nations.
Today, 54 million girls under the age of 18 live in Pakistan and every day, around 9,200 girls are born into a world where survival, education and protection are far from guaranteed. For too many girls, the journey from vulnerability to opportunity is marked by systemic barriers that begin on day one.
Survival, especially in the early years, is the first obstacle.
In Pakistan, 40% of children under the age of five suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition, a disease that compromises brain development, weakens immunity and limits life potential. Stunting is linked to nearly three out of four deaths among children under five.
Anemia, which affects more than half of adolescent girls and most pregnant women, worsens the consequences of early marriage and pregnancy, increasing the risk of premature and low birth weight babies, with long-term setbacks for children’s growth and cognitive development. Before many girls experience the inside of a classroom, their future is already in jeopardy. The cost of underinvestment in maternal and child health is measured not only in lives lost but also in diminished potential.
However, progress is possible. Shabira, a young girl born in Sindh during the devastating floods of 2022, became malnourished and dangerously ill. A mobile health team arrived in her village, examined her and provided essential care.
In two months, his health improved considerably. His recovery is proof that rapid intervention works. Investing in early childhood health and nutrition not only saves lives, but also provides the foundation for human capital and future success.
Once survival is assured, education becomes the next key to unlocking the future of girls. Yet 25 million children in Pakistan are still out of school, half of whom are girls, constituting one of the highest rates of educational exclusion in the world.
Even among those who attend school, almost 80% of children cannot read or understand age-appropriate texts before the age of 10, and many do not have the opportunity to continue their education beyond the 8th grade. This gap reflects entrenched barriers like poverty, gender bias and underfunded education systems that discourage adolescent girls from attending school.
During a visit to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, I saw an Afghan child’s drawing: “Let me learn, let me fly,” alongside a white dove of peace. This call for opportunity resonated deeply as I listened to children, adolescents and parents, all emphasizing the central role education plays in their lives.
Education is not just a right; it’s a multiplier. It drives economic growth, creates healthier communities and transforms societies. For Pakistani girls, each additional year of schooling increases their future earnings by up to 10%.
Educated girls marry later, have healthier children, and contribute significantly to their families and communities. Yet many girls are still denied this fundamental right. Through informal settings, we can expand access to education for those excluded from formal schooling. These flexible, community-based pathways can enable girls to continue their studies despite obstacles.
But learning alone is not enough. Protection is just as vital.
In Pakistan, almost one in five girls is married before the age of 18, three times more than boys. Early marriage cuts short education, limits economic prospects and locks girls into cycles of poverty.
Adolescence is a critical phase; the right investment can propel girls forward; neglect can leave them behind forever. Currently, 56% of girls aged 15 to 24 are neither in school, employed nor trained, which contrasts sharply with the much lower figure for boys. This disparity represents a loss of potential at the national level.
The economic case for empowering girls is undeniable. Inclusion is not charity; it’s smart economics. With Pakistan’s population expected to surpass 340 million by 2050, investing in girls is critical to unlocking Pakistan’s demographic dividend. Aligning our policies, budgets and institutions around the health, education and protection of girls is not optional: it is essential for sustainable growth.
Let this decade be remembered not for incremental progress, but for catalytic transformation – systemic, social and lasting. Investing in girls and women is among the most strategic decisions Pakistan can make. It generates returns over several generations.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we must move beyond celebration and into engagement. The true measure of our resolve will lie not in the speeches made, but in the policies adopted, the resources allocated and the barriers dismantled. Every girl, regardless of her birthplace or background, deserves the chance to survive, learn, thrive and lead.
There are reasons to hope. Evidence shows that despite systemic barriers, increasing numbers of girls are accessing higher education – exceeding expectations and, in many contexts, those of their male peers. Imagine what would be possible if their potential was matched by fair investment.
Girls are not born without potential; they are born with wings. Too often, it is society that chooses to eliminate them – through discrimination, neglect and underinvestment. Our task is not to empower girls; it’s about removing the barriers that prevent them from using the power they already have.
Pakistan’s future will be written by the opportunities we choose to collectively create and support for girls today. When we give girls the space to thrive, we do more than lift up individuals: we lift up a nation.
The author is the Unicef representative in Pakistan.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policies of PK Press Club.tv.
Originally published in The News
