Mobilizing Local Communities for Increasing Girls' Enrolment, Retention, and Influencing Female School Dropout Ratio

This project addresses the deep-rooted gender disparities in Pakistan’s education sector by focusing on two critical objectives: increasing the enrollment and retention of girls in schools and actively reducing the school dropout rate among female youth. The project was implemented in the districts of Faisalabad and Chiniot, targeting the socio-cultural and systemic barriers that hinder girls’ education. AWAM adopted a community-centric approach, raising awareness about the value of girls’ education and advocating for systemic change through local engagement.

In 2023, AWAM formally launched the program through a high-level kickoff meeting that brought together a wide range of stakeholders. These included media professionals, government officials, former parliamentarians, academics, legal experts, educators, and civil society representatives. This meeting provided a platform to outline the program’s vision and objectives, promote multi-stakeholder collaboration, and emphasize the urgent need to address gender inequality in education. It also underscored the program’s commitment to shifting public discourse in favor of girls’ educational rights and reducing the gender gap in school enrollment and completion.

As part of its grassroots strategy, AWAM identified and trained 60 influential individuals across both districts. These individuals were organized into two Local Advocacy Groups (LAGs) and equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead awareness campaigns, influence social norms, and mobilize community support for girls’ education. Their role as change agents within their respective localities is essential to creating a sustainable and supportive environment that encourages girls to stay in school and pursue their academic aspirations.

To reinforce collaborative efforts, AWAM held two comprehensive consultation meetings with key stakeholders, including representatives from the Education Department, Punjab Vocational Training Institutes, TEVTA, local government officials, and other educational institutions.