TP REPORT
PESHAWAR: The Rise and Shine Girls Education Leadership Network of Blue Veins, supported by Malala Fund, met with Faisal Karim Kundi, Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to present key challenges affecting girls’ access to education and advocate for urgent, practical reforms.
The meeting provided a platform for young girls to directly engage with high-level leadership, bringing forward their lived experiences and community-based insights. The delegation shared updates on their grassroots initiatives and emphasized the importance of youth-led advocacy in shaping inclusive education policies.
During the discussion, the Girls Champions highlighted critical barriers, including lack of girls secondary schools, shortage of teachers, child marriage, harassment, challenges with the quality of education, and inadequate school infrastructure. They stressed the urgent need for school solarization during extreme heat, noting that harsh weather conditions significantly disrupt learning and reduce attendance. Issues related to transportation, stipends, WASH facilities, and school safety were also raised.
The girls further emphasized the importance of dignified menstruation support in ensuring girls’ consistent participation in schools, particularly at the secondary level. A comprehensive Charter of Demands was formally presented, outlining practical recommendations for improving access, quality, and safety in education.
“Ensuring gender parity in education is not just a policy priority but a moral and developmental imperative. Educating girls is fundamental to building a just, equitable, and progressive society, and we must work collectively to remove every barrier that stands in their way,” said Faisal Karim Kundi.
“This engagement demonstrates the power of investing in girls’ leadership. When young girls are given platforms to speak, they bring forward not only challenges but clear, and practical solutions. Supporting their voices is essential to achieving sustainable and inclusive education reforms,” said Qamar Naseem, Program Manager Blue Veins.
Dua Mir, member of the Rise and Shine Girls Education Leadership Network stated, “We are not just sharing problems, we are presenting solutions based on what we experience every day. Girls want to learn, but the system must support us with safe schools, trained teachers, and basic facilities. When our voices are heard, real change becomes possible.
This engagement highlights the growing role of girls as active agents of change. By transforming lived experiences into policy dialogue, they are not only raising their voices but influencing decisions that shape a more inclusive and equitable education system.
