Islamabad: Lt Gen Nigar Johar has said that we must challenge social attitudes for girls’ education.
Addressing a two-day international conference on the topic of girls’ education in Muslim societies, Pakistan Army’s first woman Lieutenant General Nigar Johar said that the subject of education is close to my heart. Educated women are the guarantor of progress in society. Empowering women is the need of the hour.
She said that there are challenges regarding women’s education but the existing opportunities should be taken advantage of. Steps should be taken regarding women’s education in the national policy and budget. There is a need to run an awareness campaign in the society regarding the empowerment of women because today’s educated women will play a role in the society.
Lt Gen Nigar Johar said that I grew up in a society where gender discrimination was common. Girls’ education was often ignored. Education revolutionized my life and today I am at this point where I am serving the country.
He said that as a soldier, I also saw areas where girls’ schools were destroyed and girls were forcibly deprived of education. I also saw those brave girls who stood up and fought for their right to education.
Addressing the ceremony, he further said that we have to challenge societal attitudes towards girls’ education. We have to ensure the participation of girls in decision-making and policy-making.
