Balochistan’s women are not reaching their full potential

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, is a place with abundant resources, yet its women remain underutilized and are not reaching their full potential. They lack access to  education, health care, and economic opportunities. As the world increasingly focuseson gender equality and women’s empowerment, it is vital for women in Balochistan to have their rights improved. This includes increasing access to education, reserving seats for women, creating job opportunities, challenging traditional norms, promoting women’s dignity and security, and enacting laws that protect their rights.

Education has the potential to change lives, but women in Balochistan face significant barriers to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and protection from abuses by Pakistan army. According to the study the female literacy rate is just 36.8% which is very low compared to rest of the provinces in Pakistan and much lower than the global average which is 84% (UNESCO, 2022). The province has a total of 14,855 schools, of which 10,500 are for boys and only 4,355 are for girls. Balochistan suffers from a severe shortage of educational facilities. Many schools in Balochistan are either non-functional “ghost schools”, the schools are army bases, or struggle with inadequate teaching staff, limited resources, and poor infrastructure.

In Balochistan, several NGOs are working to promote girls’ education. The Society for Community Strengthening and Promotion of Education, Balochistan (SCSPEB), has been instrumental in community-based education initiatives, receiving international recognition for its efforts in rural areas. The “Girls’ Education Challenge” (GEC) program, supported by international organizations, has helped thousands of marginalized girls transition to formal education and vocational training. However, there are challenges, such as the lack of female teachers in some areas as the security forces of Pakistan kidnap the intellectual teachers or students . According to the UNPO, many areas in Balochistan, such as Gwadar and Nushki, face significant challenges in providing a safe educational environment for girls. The absence of female teachers in girls’ schools has led to incidents of harassment by security agencies or male teachers, forcing parents to withdraw their daughters from education and contributing to increased dropout rates.

Supporting these concerns, Alauddin Khilji and Fatima Khan from the Aurat Foundation highlighted that in 2023 alone, 33 cases of violence against women were reported from prominent districts like Quetta, Sibi, Turbat, and Gwadar, while a broader investigation documented 2,297 incidents of human rights violations across 25 districts. These alarming figures underscore the urgent need for reforms to protect girls’ rights and ensure safe access to education in Balochistan.

Financial independence is crucial for women’s empowerment. Women in Balochistan possess valuable skills in handicrafts, embroidery, and carpet weaving, but their involvement in formal economic activities is limited due to market access barriers, gender-specific challenges, and insufficient institutional support. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Balochistan has a lower female labor force participation rate compared to other provinces, reflecting systemic issues. Despite this, organizations like the Balochistan Rural Support Program (BRSP) and vocational centers in Quetta show that women can excel if given the right opportunities. Strengthening existing platforms and collecting data on women’s economic participation can help overcome barriers and support informed policy making to enhance their economic inclusion.

Balochistan faces a severe maternal health crisis, with the highest maternal mortality rate in Pakistan at 785 deaths per 100,000 live births, far exceeding the national average of 272. This issue is exacerbated by limited healthcare access, particularly in rural areas where many lack essential services. Malnutrition is widespread, with 16% of children under five malnourished, 52% stunted, and 39.6% underweight. These factors jeopardize both mothers’ and newborns’ health. To improve outcomes, it is crucial to strengthen healthcare infrastructure by establishing rural health centers and hiring trained female health workers for remote areas.

In conclusion, empowering women in Balochistan is essential for both humanity, social justice and economic growth. Despite facing challenges such as limited access to  education and healthcare, women in Balochistan have the potential to contribute significantly to the region’s development. Programs that improve literacy, provide vocational training, and create financial opportunities can transform women’s lives. Expanding these initiatives, integrating women into key industries, and supporting Public-Private Partnerships  will ensure broader access to opportunities, contributing to the overall progress of the province and must stop the government to make the educational places, universities or schools bases for Pakistani army. reports says 176 schools in Balochistan closed or occupied by Pakistan Army, reports says 176 schools in Balochistan closed or occupied by Pakistani Army