Pakistan's Displaced Girls and Women - an Opportunity for Education

Violence in northern Pakistan has forced millions of people to flee from their homes. Even with the dire living conditions of these displaced communities, there is a hidden opportunity in the midst of this crisis to improve the educational status of women and girls. Despite recent media attention, the fighting in northern Pakistan did not just begin recently, and by most accounts, it will not end soon. Starting in November 2008, fighting between the Pakistani government and Taliban militants has forcibly displaced an estimated 2.5 million people in the North West Frontier Province. With on-going violence, it is the civilians—Pakistani girls and boys, women and men—who are suffering the most. Displaced people are overwhelming social service systems as they stream into host communities looking for safety, shelter, food and water. The vast majority, up to 80 or 90 percent, are in host communities with relatives, friends, and in community buildings such as schools and clinics. There are not enough doctors and medicine to attend to spreading diarrheal disease and the emergency health needs of children, youth and adults. Currently there are insufficient funds to meet all the humanitarian needs and humanitarian aid agencies on the ground are planning for the displaced population to swell to up to four million in the future. Only $140 million, of the $543 million needed, has been received, with only a further pledge of $43 million.