Special Asssistant to Prime Minister for human rights and women empowerment, Mushaal Hussein Mullick, has said that higher education is not just a pursuit of knowledge but a gateway to critical thinking and skills acquisition. It provides individuals, especially women, with the necessary resources to navigate an ever evolving world.She was addressing the opening ceremony of the two-day international conference at Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi. The two days international conference would bring together distinguished guests, scholars, and policymakers to explore the nexus between higher education and women empowerment.
Mushaal Hussein Mullick threw light on the systematic obstacles women had faced in accessing higher education in the past. She said that though some milestone in this regard had been achieved, challenges such as gender bias, cultural norms and economic disparities are still hindering women’s educational access.
SAPM said that Zainab Alert Response and Recovery Act, 2020; Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Act 2020; The Anti Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act 2021; and The Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace (Amendment) Act, 2022 are significant legislation enacted by the Government to protect and empower women.
She stressed the connection between women’s education and economic progress. Spending on women’s higher education is an investment in the country’s economy, leading to a more diverse and innovative workforce and reduced poverty rates, she added.
Mushaal Mallick highlighted that education goes beyond academic accomplishments to critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills which are essential for effective leadership. Women with education are not merely economic contributers but also act as agents for driving social transformation, She further said.
