Fund Her Future | Karachi🇵🇰– 31st December 2025
As Sindh prepares its Provincial Budget 2026–27, education leaders, civil society organizations, government representatives, and community voices gathered in Karachi for a provincial dialogue under the “Fund Her Future” initiative, calling for stronger and more equitable investment in girls’ education across the province.
The provincial event was organized by the Thar Education Alliance (TEA) in collaboration with Malala Fund Pakistan and the School Education & Literacy Department (SELD), Government of Sindh. The dialogue aimed to influence budget priorities and policy decisions by highlighting the urgent need for gender-responsive education financing, particularly for girls in marginalized and underserved areas.
Strengthening Investment for Girls’ Education
During the dialogue, participants emphasized that while policy commitments for girls’ education exist, significant gaps remain in fund allocation, implementation, and accountability. Discussions focused on ensuring safe and accessible schools, improving the effective use of education funds, and prioritizing investments that directly benefit adolescent girls.
A key outcome of the event was the presentation of a Charter of Demand, urging the Government of Sindh to translate policy promises into measurable action. The charter called for increased and targeted budget allocations for girls’ education, transparent utilization of funds, and sustained efforts to reduce gender disparities in education.
Investing in girls’ education is an investment in Sindh’s social, economic, and human development.
Civil Society Perspectives
Among the participants was Mr. Sunil Kumar, Coordinator of the Hindu Sindh Foundation, who attended the event and represented his organization in discussions focused on girls’ education, particularly in interior Sindh. He highlighted the importance of creating a transparent and inclusive educational environment for underprivileged girls and stressed the need for greater public investment to ensure equitable access to quality education.
His contribution reinforced the broader call for equitable education financing and policies that address the needs of girls from marginalized communities.
Panel Discussion: From Promise to Practice
A central feature of the event was the panel discussion titled “Financing Challenges in the Education Sector: From Promise to Practice.” The session brought together education experts, government officials, and community representatives to explore practical solutions to financing challenges in Sindh’s education sector.
Panelists emphasized:
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The need to change societal mindsets around girls’ education
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Stronger community and media engagement
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Transparent budgeting and school-specific funding
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Expansion of scholarships and non-formal education programs
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Improved access to schools in underserved areas
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Recruitment of female teachers to reduce dropout rates
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Strengthening public-private partnerships and school infrastructure
The discussion concluded that effective implementation and sustained investment are essential to convert commitments into real and lasting outcomes for girls.
Grassroots Realities and Community Voices
Another important session, “Grassroots Realities: What Do Communities Know About the Education Budget?”, brought forward voices from districts across Sindh. Panelists shared insights into local education budgets, highlighting district-level challenges, gaps in awareness, and barriers faced by girls in accessing education.
These discussions reinforced the importance of community-informed planning, transparency at the local level, and inclusive decision-making to ensure that education budgets truly respond to the needs of girls.
The “Fund Her Future” provincial dialogue concluded with a collective commitment to advocate for gender-responsive budgeting, accountability, and sustained political will. As Sindh moves toward finalizing its budget, the dialogue reaffirmed that empowering girls through education is essential for building a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous future for the province.
