Pakistan
context
Pakistan has one of the highest numbers of children out of school in the world with 22.8 million children being denied their right to education. Almost 44% of children aged 5-16 in Pakistan are not in school. Girls are especially affected, with a high gender gap in enrollment, particularly in rural areas.
Poverty and conflict force many children into work, while gender discrimination restricts girls’ participation in school due to early marriages and societal expectations. Ongoing conflict and insecurity have further disrupted education, causing many families to flee their homes. Natural disasters, including the 2010 and 2022 floods, have damaged infrastructure even further and displaced millions, depriving children of access to education. These challenges are worsened by weakened education infrastructure, persistent underfinancing, and a sharp urban-rural divide, leaving many children without the opportunity to learn.
PAKISTAN IN NUMBERS
22.8 million
Children aged 5-16 are estimated to be out of school.
16%
Of the population are facing food insecurity.
33M
People have been affected by the severe flooding in 2022.
what we are doing
Street Child was a technical partner in one of the three consortiums for Education Cannot Wait’s (ECW) Multi Year Resilience Programme (MYRP) in Pakistan. Street Child worked on building the capacities of 4 local partners in Education in Emergencies, Education and Financial Management and helped promote localisation.
One of the aims of MYRP was to support local organisations in securing more funds, especially in the education sector. The project worked to ensure that the most vulnerable girls and boys have access to safe and quality learning environments, increasing enrolment in early childhood education, access to elementary learning and a strong transition to state schools. Through this programme, more than 40 partner staff members were able to be trained on Education in Emergencies, Safeguarding and Financial Managment.
Street Child is working to keep children and their families safe in flood-prone villages and schools in the Swat District in northern Pakistan. By strengthening local Child Protection Committees, the project helps communities better protect children from the risks of violence, abuse, and exploitation—challenges that often worsen after disasters. Through training, awareness programmes, and the creation of Child Clubs, children and their families learn how to stay safe and where to turn for help. The project also connects these committees with government agencies and service providers, ensuring families can access the support they need. In total, it aims to reach 4,000 children, their families, and communities—building a safer, more resilient future for those most at risk.
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