UNICEF Launches Ambitious Gender Strategy in Pakistan to Empower Adolescent Girls

In an effort to drive transformative change for millions of adolescent girls, UNICEF Pakistan introduced its new National Gender Strategy (2024-2027) today, aiming to enhance opportunities and reduce inequalities for girls aged 10-19 across both urban and rural areas of the country. According to UNICEF, the strategy outlines several key initiatives intended to address the numerous challenges that adolescent girls in Pakistan currently face, including early marriage, high poverty rates, and inadequate access to education and healthcare. Nearly 19 million girls in Pakistan are child brides, and more than half become pregnant before turning 18, which significantly endangers their health and economic prospects. Nilofer Bakhtiar, Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women, emphasized the economic and social benefits of investing in girls, stating, “Investing in girls’ leadership, we unlock their full potential and pave the way for their brighter future.” The strategy also includes enhancing g
irls’ leadership skills, challenging harmful social norms, and improving access to essential services like education and healthcare through gender-equitable programming. During the strategy launch, UNICEF unveiled ‘URAAN’, a symbol representing their commitment to gender equality, designed to inspire greater equity in gender-focused programs. The strategy also plans to work with various stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society organizations, and community members, to foster a national dialogue aimed at overcoming gender-based challenges. By confronting these issues head-on, UNICEF’s strategy seeks not only to improve the lives of individual girls but also to contribute to the broader goal of national progress by ensuring that girls can participate fully in society and the economy.