While Pakistan has a much potential for development, it continues to confront terrorism, religious extremism, underdevelopment and political instability.[1] The 2008 economic crisis, extensive internal displacement following the Pakistani military’s operations in the border areas in 2009, natural disasters such as the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir and the devastating floods of 2010, all add to present severe challenges to the Pakistan Government and people.[2]
POVERTY
Human Development Indicators (HDI) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provide a composite measure of the well-being of people in nations by assessing three basic dimensions of human development: health, education and income, and ranking these against other nations with comparable data. In 2011, Pakistan ranked 145 out of 187 countries on the Human Development Index.[3]
Whichever way one looks at it, poverty is at an extreme level in Pakistan. And, “while comprehensive figures on poverty levels in different religious communities are not easily available, it is often claimed that the proportion is significantly higher among minorities.”[4]
One in ten children die before their fifth birthday and 14,000 mothers die during pregnancy every year. Entrenched poverty leads to suffering, loss of hope, “lost opportunity and a sense of grievance; all of which undermine Pakistan’s long-term stability and prosperity.”[5] Tackling poverty and building a stable, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan will not only help millions of affected Pakistanis, but will also improve stability and security in Pakistan, the region, and beyond.
Human Development Indicators (HDI) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provide a composite measure of the well-being of people in nations by assessing three basic dimensions of human development: health, education and income, and ranking these against other nations with comparable data. In 2011, Pakistan ranked 145 out of 187 countries on the Human Development Index.[3]
Whichever way one looks at it, poverty is at an extreme level in Pakistan. And, “while comprehensive figures on poverty levels in different religious communities are not easily available, it is often claimed that the proportion is significantly higher among minorities.”[4]
One in ten children die before their fifth birthday and 14,000 mothers die during pregnancy every year. Entrenched poverty leads to suffering, loss of hope, “lost opportunity and a sense of grievance; all of which undermine Pakistan’s long-term stability and prosperity.”[5] Tackling poverty and building a stable, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan will not only help millions of affected Pakistanis, but will also improve stability and security in Pakistan, the region, and beyond.
EDUCATION AND LITERACY
In 2008 (the latest figures available) Pakistan’s literacy rate was in the lowest sector on the United Nation’s Human Development Scale, measuring just 55.5%. Half of all adults, including two out of three women, are illiterate. Whereas 8 years of schooling were expected in the lowest range of Human Development in 2011, the children of Pakistan were only spending an average of 7 years in school.[6] In 2009, UNICEF estimated that only 42% of school aged children of all ages were enrolled in school.[7] Added to this, the floods of 2010 damaged more than 10,000 schools in the country. Between 5-6% of all schools were damaged, affecting between 1.5 million to 2.5 million students.[8] Safety and security of children and teachers in schools remains an ongoing concern. 163 attacks were reported on educational institutions in 2010 and 22 teachers in Baluchistan were killed by militants between 2008 and 2010.[9]
Child labour and abuse of domestic child workers also continues to be a problem in Pakistan. It was estimated in 2010 that over one million child labourers between the ages of 10 to 14 were working in the country. In the Punjab region, the new Punjab labour law was criticized for curtailing labour rights,[10] potentially compounding the problem even further.
In 2008 (the latest figures available) Pakistan’s literacy rate was in the lowest sector on the United Nation’s Human Development Scale, measuring just 55.5%. Half of all adults, including two out of three women, are illiterate. Whereas 8 years of schooling were expected in the lowest range of Human Development in 2011, the children of Pakistan were only spending an average of 7 years in school.[6] In 2009, UNICEF estimated that only 42% of school aged children of all ages were enrolled in school.[7] Added to this, the floods of 2010 damaged more than 10,000 schools in the country. Between 5-6% of all schools were damaged, affecting between 1.5 million to 2.5 million students.[8] Safety and security of children and teachers in schools remains an ongoing concern. 163 attacks were reported on educational institutions in 2010 and 22 teachers in Baluchistan were killed by militants between 2008 and 2010.[9]
Child labour and abuse of domestic child workers also continues to be a problem in Pakistan. It was estimated in 2010 that over one million child labourers between the ages of 10 to 14 were working in the country. In the Punjab region, the new Punjab labour law was criticized for curtailing labour rights,[10] potentially compounding the problem even further.
MINORITIES
Another significant group discriminated against in Pakistan, and against which the Late Minister Shahbaz Bhatti fought the status quo, is women and girls. 57% of primary school-aged children not attending school are girls.[11] Although it was estimated in 2005 that only 63% Pakistani males are literate at age 15 and over, it is even graver for females, of whom only 36% are literate at age 15 and over.[12] On average, girls from poor families in rural areas receive just over one year of education, compared with boys from wealthy urban families who receive an average of more than nine years of education.[13] Apart from that, as a result of such issues as honour killings (for example, 791 women were killed in the name of honour in 2010[14]), forced marriages, and physical and sexual violence against women and girls (for example, 2,903 women were raped, 2,581 of them in Punjab in 2010[15]), Pakistan represents one of the worst ‘gender gaps’ in the world, ranked 133 out of 135 countries by the World Economic Forum in 2011.[16]
Another significant group discriminated against in Pakistan, and against which the Late Minister Shahbaz Bhatti fought the status quo, is women and girls. 57% of primary school-aged children not attending school are girls.[11] Although it was estimated in 2005 that only 63% Pakistani males are literate at age 15 and over, it is even graver for females, of whom only 36% are literate at age 15 and over.[12] On average, girls from poor families in rural areas receive just over one year of education, compared with boys from wealthy urban families who receive an average of more than nine years of education.[13] Apart from that, as a result of such issues as honour killings (for example, 791 women were killed in the name of honour in 2010[14]), forced marriages, and physical and sexual violence against women and girls (for example, 2,903 women were raped, 2,581 of them in Punjab in 2010[15]), Pakistan represents one of the worst ‘gender gaps’ in the world, ranked 133 out of 135 countries by the World Economic Forum in 2011.[16]
DIADEM INTERNATIONAL IN PAKISTAN
With fewer educational opportunities, women and girls lack the power and the means to choose when and how often to have children. Empowering women and girls is a fundamental principle in all programmes associated with Diadem International, which aims to ensure women and girls can safely participate in decision-making; access essential services, including justice and education; and enjoy equal rights and economic opportunity. In 2010, one woman died every 30 minutes in Pakistan due to pre-natal, neo-natal or post-natal problems.[17] In the future the Diadem International aims to concentrate its health effort on reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health.
Amidst the myriad of challenges faced by the nation of Pakistan; the current economic crisis, political instability, discrimination against minorities and persistently high levels of poverty and illiteracy, Diadem International is committed in promoting human equality, social justice and religious freedom, as well as partnering with initiatives that empower the poor and marginalized.
With fewer educational opportunities, women and girls lack the power and the means to choose when and how often to have children. Empowering women and girls is a fundamental principle in all programmes associated with Diadem International, which aims to ensure women and girls can safely participate in decision-making; access essential services, including justice and education; and enjoy equal rights and economic opportunity. In 2010, one woman died every 30 minutes in Pakistan due to pre-natal, neo-natal or post-natal problems.[17] In the future the Diadem International aims to concentrate its health effort on reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health.
Amidst the myriad of challenges faced by the nation of Pakistan; the current economic crisis, political instability, discrimination against minorities and persistently high levels of poverty and illiteracy, Diadem International is committed in promoting human equality, social justice and religious freedom, as well as partnering with initiatives that empower the poor and marginalized.
[1] 2011 Asia Society Study Group Report, Pakistan 2020: A Vision For Building a Better Future, p.6
[2] 2011 UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) Operational Plan 2011-2015: DFID Pakistan, p.2
[3] 2011 United Nations International Human Development (UNHD) Countries, Pakistan, Country Profile: Human Development Indicators. Available at: http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/PAK.html; http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/indicators/103106.html
[4] Christian Solidarity Worldwide Briefing, Pakistan: Religious Freedom in the Shadow of Extremism, 2011, p.11
[5] These statistics were drawn from the United Kingdom Government’s Department for International Development Operational Plan for Pakistan 2011-2015, p.2
[6] United Nations International Human Development (UNHD) Countries, Pakistan, Country Profile: Human Development Indicators. Available at: http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/indicators/105906.html
[7] Ibid
[8] Human Rights Commission of Pakistan: State of Human Rights in 2010, p.10. Available at http://www.hrcp-web.org/Publications/AR2010.pdf
[9] ibid
[10] Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), 2011: State of Human Rights in 2010, Lahore, Pakistan, p10. Available at: http://www.hrcp-web.org/Publications/AR2010.pdf
[11] UNICEF Press Release, Islamabad 7 April 2012: More than 7 million Primary School-aged Children in Pakistan Missing out on Education. Available at: http://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media_7611.htm
[12] July 2005 estimate provided by the CIA on 12 May 2012 in “Pakistan: People and Society.” Available at: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html
[13] UNICEF Press Release, Islamabad 7 April 2012: More than 7 million Primary School-aged Children in Pakistan Missing out on Education. Available at: http://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media_7611.htm
[14] Human Rights Commission of Pakistan: State of Human Rights in 2010, p.9. Available at http://www.hrcp-web.org/Publications/AR2010.pdf
[15] ibid
[16] World Economic Forum: Committed to Improving the State of the World. The Global Gender Gap Report 2011, p9. Available at: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GenderGap_Report_2011.pdf
[17] Human Rights Commission of Pakistan: State of Human Rights in 2010, p.11. Available at http://www.hrcp-web.org/Publications/AR2010.pdf
[2] 2011 UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) Operational Plan 2011-2015: DFID Pakistan, p.2
[3] 2011 United Nations International Human Development (UNHD) Countries, Pakistan, Country Profile: Human Development Indicators. Available at: http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/PAK.html; http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/indicators/103106.html
[4] Christian Solidarity Worldwide Briefing, Pakistan: Religious Freedom in the Shadow of Extremism, 2011, p.11
[5] These statistics were drawn from the United Kingdom Government’s Department for International Development Operational Plan for Pakistan 2011-2015, p.2
[6] United Nations International Human Development (UNHD) Countries, Pakistan, Country Profile: Human Development Indicators. Available at: http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/indicators/105906.html
[7] Ibid
[8] Human Rights Commission of Pakistan: State of Human Rights in 2010, p.10. Available at http://www.hrcp-web.org/Publications/AR2010.pdf
[9] ibid
[10] Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), 2011: State of Human Rights in 2010, Lahore, Pakistan, p10. Available at: http://www.hrcp-web.org/Publications/AR2010.pdf
[11] UNICEF Press Release, Islamabad 7 April 2012: More than 7 million Primary School-aged Children in Pakistan Missing out on Education. Available at: http://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media_7611.htm
[12] July 2005 estimate provided by the CIA on 12 May 2012 in “Pakistan: People and Society.” Available at: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pk.html
[13] UNICEF Press Release, Islamabad 7 April 2012: More than 7 million Primary School-aged Children in Pakistan Missing out on Education. Available at: http://www.unicef.org/pakistan/media_7611.htm
[14] Human Rights Commission of Pakistan: State of Human Rights in 2010, p.9. Available at http://www.hrcp-web.org/Publications/AR2010.pdf
[15] ibid
[16] World Economic Forum: Committed to Improving the State of the World. The Global Gender Gap Report 2011, p9. Available at: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GenderGap_Report_2011.pdf
[17] Human Rights Commission of Pakistan: State of Human Rights in 2010, p.11. Available at http://www.hrcp-web.org/Publications/AR2010.pdf