Social attitudes must be challenged for girls' education: Lt Gen Nigar Johar

Islamabad: Lieutenant General Nigar Johar said: “We have to 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 stated that the topic of education is close to her heart. Educated women are the guarantor of progress in society. Empowering women is the need of the hour.

She added 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 society regarding the empowerment of women because today's educated women will play a role in society.

Lieutenant General further said: “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”.

She also stated that as a soldier, she also saw areas where girls' schools were destroyed and girls were forcibly deprived of education. She also witnessed those brave girls who stood up and fought for their right to education.

Addressing the ceremony, she continued to say that we have to challenge societal attitudes towards girls' education. We have to ensure the participation of girls in decision-making and policy-making.