An advocacy forum titled “Restoring and Financing Zewar-e-Taleem: Safeguarding Girls’ Right to Secondary Education” was held in Lahore on 28 August, with kind financial support of Malala Fund by bringing together parliamentarians, government representatives, education officials, civil society organizations, girls’ education champions and other stakeholders to discuss the urgent need to restore and adequately finance the Zewar-e-Taleem Programme in Punjab.
Participants strongly emphasized that Zewar-e-Taleem has played an important role in supporting girls’ continuation in secondary education, particularly for girls from vulnerable and low-income families. The forum called for the immediate restoration of the programme and proposed increasing the monthly stipend from PKR 1,000 to PKR 3,000 to address rising education-related costs and provide meaningful financial support to girls and their families.
Two girls’ education champions, Ms. Sabiha Alvi from Layyah and Ms. Mawra from Khanewal, shared their experiences and highlighted the challenges girls are currently facing in accessing and continuing their education. They stressed that financial constraints are forcing many girls to struggle with their education and that targeted stipends can provide critical support for girls to remain in school.
Dr. Nazia Karamat, District Education Officer (Elementary), supported the demand for restoration of the programme and emphasized that initiatives such as Zewar-e-Taleem are important for improving girls’ educational opportunities and ensuring their continued participation in secondary education.
Mr. Malik Bilal Awan, BISP AC-NSER, Punjab, highlighted the ongoing Benazir Taleemi Wazaif Programme, under which children of eligible BISP beneficiary families receive educational stipends subject to school enrolment and attendance requirements. He assured participants that the programme would continue in the coming year and and stated that the budget for the next year is available to sustain the programme.
Speaking at the forum, Ms. Rukhsana Kausar, MPA, expressed her surprise that the Zewar-e-Taleem Programme is not currently available. She stated that she was not previously aware that the programme had been discontinued and made a commitment on the floor of the forum to support efforts for its restoration. She assured participants that she would make every possible effort, in coordination with the relevant stakeholders, to help revive the programme and ensure continued support for girls’ education.
Ms. Rushda Lodhi, Parliamentary Secretary for Specialized Healthcare, highlighted the broader social and health benefits of girls’ secondary education. She noted that girls who do not receive education can face greater risks of early marriage and limited awareness about nutrition maternal health and child care. She emphasized that lack of education can also have serious consequences for the next generation, as children of uneducated mothers may face poor nutrition, stunting and other health and developmental challenges. She stressed that secondary education equips girls with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions, lead healthier lives, ensure better health and nutrition for their children, and contribute more effectively to the development of the country.
Ms. Jahan Ara Wattoo, Voice of Punjab Social Protection Authority, shared findings from an assessment conducted on the Zewar-e-Taleem Programme, noting that the assessment produced positive results and demonstrated the value of the initiative. She also highlighted an important implementation gap, stating that even district-level officials are not aware of the programme. She called for greater visibility, effective implementation and expansion of the initiative beyond the 17 districts where it was implemented, advocating for its extension to all districts of Punjab.
The forum concluded with a strong collective call for the restoration, expansion and adequate financing of Zewar-e-Taleem, with participants emphasizing that investment in girls’ secondary education is an investment in Punjab’s social and economic future. Increasing the stipend to PKR 3,000 per month was highlighted as an important step toward ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent girls from continuing their education.
Mr. Zia Ur Rehman, Founder & Chief Executive, AwazCDS-Pakistan, concluded the session by thanking all participants, parliamentarians, government representatives, education officials, girls’ education champions and civil society representatives for their active participation and commitment to advancing girls’ right to education. He further urged the Government of Punjab and relevant stakeholders to take concrete measures to restore Zewar-e-Taleem, increase its financial support, strengthen awareness and implementation mechanisms, and expand the programme across Punjab so that every girl has the opportunity to complete her secondary education in the province.
