gender inequality in education
Cause
Gender equality is most prominent in rural areas in Pakistan, and this is due to the social and cultural obstacles that the people face. In the northern tribal areas of Pakistan, education for girls is strictly prohibited. Such prohibitions are based on religious grounds, however this is a misinterpretation of the dominant religion in Pakistan (96%of the population), Islam. Islam urges both men and women to acquire education, however Pakistan’s conservative society still renders women a cut below men. (Latif, 2012)
There are various reasons to the stringent rules that families in Pakistan have for their daughters that wish to pursue higher education than secondary school. Such reasons are the issue of security as well as early marriages. (IRIN, 2007)
In areas that are controlled by the Taliban, a fundamentalist Islamic group, females are prohibited from having an education. If these rules are not complied, the Taliban may do harm to these females, even to the extent of death. A fear for personal safety results in many females who reside in their homes, afraid to pursue an education. (Raphel, 2013)
Effects
As a result of gender inequality, there is a huge skill deficit in young Pakistanis that are venturing into the workforce. Over 1 in 3 young Pakistanis have not completed the basic primary education, which leads to a lack in the basic skills that they need for work. This results in a total of 12 million Pakistanis aged 15 to 24 who lack basic skills. This is the second highest number amongst developing countries.
The lack of basic skills affects the live of many, and due to gender inequality, 69% of women are not in the labour force compared to 8% of men not in the labour force. This is economically detrimental to Pakistan and is also linked to poverty issues as women are able to contribute to society and the economy, but they are deprived of the opportunity to do so.
The large difference between the number of males and females who receive education is detrimental to both women and the economy. Men on average earn 60% more money than women, and this wage gap is the widest for those with low levels of literacy and numeracy.
When women join the workforce, the overall productivity will increase as their skills and talents are being put to use, thus being economically beneficial. With fewer women getting an education and working, the talents present in women cannot be further developed, thus wasting the talents of more than half the population in Pakistan. This weighs down economic development and prevents Pakistan's economy from improving. (Revenga, 2011; Shetty, 2011)
Gender equality is most prominent in rural areas in Pakistan, and this is due to the social and cultural obstacles that the people face. In the northern tribal areas of Pakistan, education for girls is strictly prohibited. Such prohibitions are based on religious grounds, however this is a misinterpretation of the dominant religion in Pakistan (96%of the population), Islam. Islam urges both men and women to acquire education, however Pakistan’s conservative society still renders women a cut below men. (Latif, 2012)
There are various reasons to the stringent rules that families in Pakistan have for their daughters that wish to pursue higher education than secondary school. Such reasons are the issue of security as well as early marriages. (IRIN, 2007)
In areas that are controlled by the Taliban, a fundamentalist Islamic group, females are prohibited from having an education. If these rules are not complied, the Taliban may do harm to these females, even to the extent of death. A fear for personal safety results in many females who reside in their homes, afraid to pursue an education. (Raphel, 2013)
Effects
As a result of gender inequality, there is a huge skill deficit in young Pakistanis that are venturing into the workforce. Over 1 in 3 young Pakistanis have not completed the basic primary education, which leads to a lack in the basic skills that they need for work. This results in a total of 12 million Pakistanis aged 15 to 24 who lack basic skills. This is the second highest number amongst developing countries.
The lack of basic skills affects the live of many, and due to gender inequality, 69% of women are not in the labour force compared to 8% of men not in the labour force. This is economically detrimental to Pakistan and is also linked to poverty issues as women are able to contribute to society and the economy, but they are deprived of the opportunity to do so.
The large difference between the number of males and females who receive education is detrimental to both women and the economy. Men on average earn 60% more money than women, and this wage gap is the widest for those with low levels of literacy and numeracy.
When women join the workforce, the overall productivity will increase as their skills and talents are being put to use, thus being economically beneficial. With fewer women getting an education and working, the talents present in women cannot be further developed, thus wasting the talents of more than half the population in Pakistan. This weighs down economic development and prevents Pakistan's economy from improving. (Revenga, 2011; Shetty, 2011)