Power of education

In a historic moment for Pakistan and the global discourse on education a few weeks back, Islamabad became the epicentre of an international conference that shed light on the pressing challenges and untapped opportunities surrounding girls’ education in the Muslim world.

This unprecedented gathering united government officials, international organisations, religious leaders, and education advocates, including Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai, in a powerful dialogue aimed at transforming the educational and socio-economic realities of millions of young girls.

The significance of the conference lay not only in its diverse attendance but also in its ability to bridge cultural divides. For too long have cultural misinterpretations and systemic barriers hindered girls’ education in the developing world. The inclusion of religious leaders in this dialogue from across the world was significant, underscoring that promoting education for girls is not a Western agenda but a universal human right, deeply rooted in Islamic principles of equality, justice, and knowledge.

Malala Yousafzai, a global icon for girls’ education, reinforced this message in her keynote address: “Education is neither Eastern nor Western. It is the right of every human being.” Her words served as the conference’s guiding ethos, emphasising that education transcends geographical and ideological boundaries. By addressing this universal issue with a culturally informed perspective, the conference established a framework for action that could dismantle the barriers restricting millions of girls from realising their potential.

One of the highlights of the conference was the session on the ‘Role of Women in Peacebuilding’ and the sharing of practical experiences. Among the panellists was Amina Rasul-Bernardo, president of the Philippines Center for Islam and Democracy. Her talk on ‘Women’s Role in Peacebuilding and the Transformative Power of Education’ examined the little-recognised connection between the critical role women can play in promoting peace, and sustainable development. She said, “Women, as real agents of change, have long been in the vanguard of efforts to foster a sustainable and just peace and education is key to leveraging the ability of women to be peacebuilders.”

Throughout Pakistan’s history, women have demonstrated remarkable resilience, particularly during turbulent times. During the country’s 15-year ‘war on terror’, which claimed thousands of lives, women stood firm against the odds. Despite militant insurgencies in the late 2000s that stripped away their rights, they courageously advocated education. In the aftermath of military operations to clear the affected areas, women, though displaced and traumatised, emerged as symbols of resilience and hope. Yet these women were not at the table – largely excluded from decision-making processes that continue to shape the future of their communities.

The exclusion of women from decision-making processes highlights the significance of the global adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in 2000, a pivotal moment that recognised women’s indispensable role in peacebuilding. The international community has recognised that women’s participation is essential to efforts to maintain and promote peace and security, addressing the historical underrepresentation of women in key decision-making roles.

UN member-states adopted this resolution because the evidence shows that higher levels of gender equality are directly related to increased levels of security and stability. In fact, women’s participation in conflict prevention and resolution can improve outcomes before, during, and after conflict. For example, women’s participation increases the probability of a peace agreement lasting at least two years by 20 per cent and a peace agreement lasting fifteen years by 35 per cent.

Peacebuilding efforts under UNSCR 1325 are built on four interconnected pillars: participation, protection, prevention, and relief and recovery. These pillars are not isolated objectives, but part of a comprehensive framework aimed at addressing the gender-specific impacts of conflict on women and girls. This also incorporates challenges such as climate change, violent extremism, and displacement to enable a broader interpretation of these pillars to ensure they remain relevant and impactful across all countries, both developing and developed.

During my time serving with UN Women in the ASEAN region, I have seen that countries like the Philippines offer valuable lessons in advancing women’s role in peacebuilding. Through its National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, the Philippines has demonstrated how comprehensive frameworks can address the unique needs of women in conflict-affected areas and involve them in shaping peace processes.

Similarly, Indonesia, as a G20 member, a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, has been a key advocate for the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. Since 2017, the Indonesian government, in collaboration with UN Women, has supported the ‘Peace Village’ model developed by the Wahid Foundation. This initiative encourages communities to foster peace, tolerance, and interfaith harmony, with women’s leadership and participation driving transformative outcomes such as countering radicalism, promoting social cohesion and enhancing local economic growth.

The year 2025 marks significant anniversaries: We are commemorating 30 years since the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which remains to this day, the most progressive blueprint for women’s rights and gender equality adopted by 189 countries including Pakistan. We also approach the 25th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), at a time when Pakistan assumes a pivotal role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025-2026.

These anniversaries present timely opportunities to showcase concrete actions that go beyond the traditional, yet essential, focus on contributing to UN peacekeeping operations. By supporting women in peacebuilding, we enable them to play a transformative role in fostering peace and stability within their communities and nations.

As Malala aptly noted, education transforms individuals and communities. Women are not just participants in peacebuilding; they are its architects and sustainers. Let us honour their contributions by ensuring that no girl is denied her right to learn and no woman is excluded from the table where decisions about peace and the future are made.

The writer is the country

representative for UN Women Pakistan.