Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on January 8, 2025, that the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training will host a pivotal international conference, “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities,” scheduled for January 11-12, 2025. This initiative gains significance as millions of girls in Afghanistan continue to be denied access to education.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed that the upcoming global summit aims to tackle the critical challenges and explore opportunities to advance girls’ education across Muslim communities worldwide. The event seeks to foster meaningful dialogue and develop actionable solutions to address these pressing issues.
In an official statement, the Ministry emphasized, “The summit will serve as a premier platform for high-level discussions, collaborations, and the sharing of transformative success stories. It will showcase innovative strategies to promote educational equity and empower girls within Muslim communities.”
The conference is set to welcome over 150 international delegates, including ministers, ambassadors, scholars, and educators from 44 Muslim-majority and allied nations. Prominent representatives from UNESCO, UNICEF, the World Bank, and other international organizations will also attend. Expert speakers and panelists will present case studies and share insights into overcoming barriers to education in diverse cultural and economic contexts.
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A major highlight of the event will be the formal signing of the Islamabad Declaration. This document will outline a unified commitment to empowering girls through education, paving the way for inclusive and sustainable reforms that promise brighter futures for countless generations.
The summit comes at a time of heightened global concern over the Taliban’s ongoing restrictions on girls’ education in Afghanistan. Without directly naming the Taliban, the organizers have reiterated that any actions or laws preventing girls from accessing education run counter to Islamic teachings and principles.
Since regaining power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women and girls. These include bans on secondary and higher education for girls and prohibiting women from attending universities or working in non-governmental organizations.
Afghanistan remains the only country globally where girls are systematically barred from secondary schools, high schools, and universities. Despite widespread international condemnation and persistent calls for change, the Taliban’s ban on female education has entered its third year.
The Islamabad summit will concentrate on addressing these challenges and exploring practical strategies to enhance educational opportunities for girls in Muslim communities worldwide. It represents a significant step toward fostering educational equity, justice, and empowerment across the Islamic world.
