Why is the female literacy rate in Balochistan the

lowest in the world?

globalvillagespace.com/why-is-the-female-literacy-rate-in-balochistan-the-lowest-in-the-world/

November 4, 2020

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Educated women demonstrate a significant role in the development and progress of a
nation. Today, nations who have paid tremendous services to women education and
empowerment are at the pinnacle of success. But unfortunately, Balochistan, the richest
province of Pakistan paints a bleak picture. Although male literacy rate is not satisfactory
either but, female education is at its lowest in the province.

Female literacy rate in Balochistan

According to Sanaullah Baloch, a member of Balochistan assembly, “Female literacy rate
in Balochistan is lowest in the world”. This is shocking. Despite being owners of
unbounded natural resources, the daughters of Balochistan are deprived of even the
basic constitutional right to education. It generates few questions as to why Balochistan is
lagging substantially behind concerning women education? Is male dominated nature of
Baloch society impedes women education, or is it sheer incompetence of the government
to provide accessible education opportunities, particularly in far flung areas?

As per a survey, literacy rate among women in Balochistan is deplorable in

Pakistan, with only 27 percent of literate women which is the lowest in the whole
world.

People who are devoid of rest of the factors often blame Baloch society for its extreme
and rigid principles that they are hurdles for female education. In reality, they are ignorant
to the factors that contribute to low female education in the Baloch society. Lack of
women educational institutions, generally in the whole the province, and particularly in
far-flung areas can be said to be one of the the main factors behind a low literacy rate. As
I belong to a Baloch society, I know how parents suffer seeing their daughters away from
education.

Read more: Did previous governments neglect Balochistan?

Women hold an imminent status in the Baloch society, therefore for them, dignity and
respect is an important concern for Baloch parents. The conviction and enthusiasm of
Baloch parents towards education is a quality which shows that they do not oppose
female education. Consequently, a shortage of institutions creates problems in the
province which can yield negative impacts.

Lack of educational institutions

There are very few education institutions in Balochistan where women can get easy
access to education. As per a survey, literacy rate among women in Balochistan is
deplorable in Pakistan, with only 27 percent of literate women which is the lowest in the
whole world. The province also stands poorly against the literacy rate of Punjab which is
50 per cent. Shortage of women institutions possess challenges for thousands of girls
who remain illiterate their whole lives. Usually to access an institution, they have to travel
a distant journey to either the provisional capital Quetta or Karachi. For instance, Awaran,
one of the highly deprived districts where there are almost no women institutions which
may provide education to the distressed females of the district. As there exists no specific

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data, the number of women who are out of schools are quite high. Almost 80 to 90 per
cent of women in Awaran are deprived of education which sheds a negative light on the
Baloch society. Therefore, it is absurd to criticize Baloch society without taking these
aspects into consideration. Awaran is not the only district that faces this problem but the
whole province is suffers from it.

Despite being owners of unbounded natural resources, women in Balochistan are

deprived of even the basic constitutional right to education

How can parents send their daughters to a place that is so distant? Where they do not
know anybody? As I have already mentioned, women enjoy utmost respect and privilege
in Baloch societies and their safety, respect, and dignity occupy a foremost position.
However, still there are parents who manage to send their daughters either to Quetta or
Karachi to secure their future.

Read more: Have you heard about Balochistan’s ‘Princess of Hope’?

The government should step up

It is the government’s utmost failure to provide easy and accessible education in these
Baloch populated areas. Although boys, too, confront numerous challenges in the domain
of education, but girls are the ones that are affected the most. Boys can manage to get
access to institutions in major cities, but girls, due to various challenges are unable to
pursue education. The plight of women educational downfall in the province is
unleashing discontent among the Baloch society. but high authorities seem reluctant to
address the issue.

It is a humble request to the provisional as well as federal government to establish

maximum institutions, particularly in distant areas of Balochistan, so that Baloch women
can also education, which is their constitutional right.

Read more: Balochistan has lowest rate of female literacy in the world, claims lawmaker

The write is based in Awaran, Balochistan and teaches at the Delta language center
Quetta. The views expressed in this article are author’s own and do not necessarily
reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.

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