Women’s Education and Our Responsibilities
Written by: Azhar Iqbal Mughal
Allah has created all living beings in pairs to ensure the continuation of generations. In the same way, men and women were created, and Allah granted both equal rights. In some areas, men may be given a greater advantage, while in others, women may hold a higher position. Likewise, both men and women have been commanded to seek knowledge. The command to gain knowledge was not given exclusively to men but also to women. The famous saying, “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave,” applies equally to women. However, during the era of ignorance, educating women was considered sinful, and even today, in many parts of Pakistan, educating women is still frowned upon. This is primarily because people still lack the awareness of how beneficial women’s education can be for society.
A woman is like the foundation of society, just as no building can stand without a solid foundation. If women were removed from society, the very concept of society would collapse. Therefore, if the foundation is strong, a better society will emerge. Strengthening this foundation requires special attention to women’s education. Just as cement and gravel are needed to reinforce a building’s foundation, focusing on educating women can ensure that future generations are educated. An educated mother can raise her children well, while an uneducated woman, although capable of being a loving mother, may lack the knowledge to provide her children with the best upbringing. In today’s modern world, women are not inferior to men in any field. If a man can be a doctor, so can a woman. Women have proven their worth through education. Today’s woman is independent and empowered, all thanks to education. Allah has established certain boundaries for both men and women, and within these limits, women can pursue any work permissible in Islam. It is our responsibility to ensure that our daughters receive an education, so that they can not only educate their own children but also teach others, helping to create an informed society. As Pakistanis, it is our duty to focus on girls’ education. If a mother is educated, she will raise literate children. You may have heard the saying, “A child’s first school is the mother’s lap.” If a mother is educated, she will inspire her children to pursue education. Those children may grow up to become doctors or engineers, serving the nation as responsible citizens. It is often observed that underdeveloped and less educated areas tend to have higher crime rates compared to more educated regions. This highlights the importance of focusing on women’s education to ensure peace and literacy in society. The well-known saying, “Behind every successful man, there is a woman,” holds true. A wise and educated mother can significantly help her children achieve higher education. As we all know, children are generally closer to their mothers and tend to listen to them more than their fathers. If we want Pakistan’s future generations to be progressive and for our country to prosper, we must eliminate the barriers to women’s education and make education accessible to all women. Only then will our nation progress. At the time of Pakistan’s creation, the majority of the population lived in rural areas, and many women were uneducated. Over time, awareness about the importance of education has increased, and by the grace of Allah, significant improvements have been made. Today, even in villages, educating women is no longer considered taboo. In every field, women have made their mark, and this progress is all due to the light of education.
