' *EMPOWERING FEMALES EDUCATIONING* '

THERE is a growing and soon to be,..... overpowering evidence, that shows on how investing in  women's education and health and paying full attention to their opportunities and empowerment -

Leads to achieving big dividends in terms of economic development.

Leaving the  social costs of not educating girls aside, a recent World Bank report has quantified the  lost earnings and lifetime productivity of girls not being educated.

The report says that limiting educational opportunities for girls and barriers to completing 12 years  of education costs countries between $15 trillion and $30 trillion dollars.

Interestingly, the study also finds that  primary education  is not enough and across many indicators , benefits from primary education are limited

Globally 89% of girls complete primary education, but only 77% complete lower secondary education, which is most countries is nine years of schooling.

In low income countries, the numbers drop to below  two-thirds for primary education, and only a third for lower secondary school.

The World Development indicators compiled by the World Bank show that primary school enrollment has progressed in Pakistan, with about  97% of children enrolled in primary school in 2016.

Of these, 70% boys and 75% of girls persist till that last grade of primary school.

Not only does this number drastically drop for secondary education but the wedge between both the sexes also increases.

The enrollment ratio for boys almost halves relative to to that for primary education; standing at 50% for boys and 41% for girls.

Had all these girls deprived of secondary school education been educated, there would have been a  tremendous impact on the important areas :

1. earnings and standards of living  2. child marriage and early childbearing 3. Fertility and population growth. 4. Health, nutrition and well being. 5. Agency and decision-making,  and... 6. Social capital and Institutions.

The Global Operational Research on Women and Education continues. The World Students Society thanks author, doctoral candidate Tehreem Hussain,  Barlett School of Construction and Project management, UCL.