Empower Girls with College Education in Pakistan

Did you know that girls participate in sports at lower rates than boys at all ages? And that girls get involved in sports later than boys and drop out earlier—a sad trend that crests around adolescence? On the flip side, according to research by the Women’s Sports Foundation (an advocacy group founded by Billie Jean King in 1974), "Youth sports participation is linked to substantial physical, social-emotional and achievement-related benefits. For girls, in particular, research consistently demonstrates that sports participation is linked to improved physical and mental health; academic achievement; and increased levels of body esteem, confidence and mastery, with some indication that girls reap greater benefits from sports participation than boys."

In economically weaker families, education is not prioritized for children and teenagers as it should be, and girls' education is neglected even more. Because of limited resources, most parents prefer to spend them on their sons. Khadija Girls College was built in a deprived area of Karachi with a vision to empower girls with education, attitude, and an elevated sense of self-esteem and confidence.

Students' Week was celebrated from 19th December 2022 to 21st December 2022, and various activities were arranged in which almost the whole college participated. Cricket, volleyball, Tug of War, Card making competitions, Bait Bazi, Singing competitions and many fun games were part of the Students' Week 2022. Students exhibited their innate talents and leadership skills and learnt sportsman spirit and teamwork.

Sport has been one of the most important socio-cultural learning experiences for boys and men for many years. Those same benefits should be afforded to our daughters. All of us need to know that:

• High school/college girls who play sports are less likely to be involved in unintended affairs and more likely to get better grades.
• Girls and women who play sports have higher confidence, self-esteem and lower levels of depression.
• Girls and women who play sports have a more positive body image and experience a higher state of psychological well-being than girls and women who do not play sports.
• Forty % of women over the age of 50 suffer from osteoporosis (brittle bones). None of us should want our daughters to repeat the experiences of generations of women—our mothers and grandmothers—who were not permitted to play sports or encouraged to participate in weight-bearing exercises necessary to establish bone mass.
• Sport is where boys have traditionally learned about teamwork, goal-setting, the pursuit of excellence in performance and other achievement-oriented behaviours—critical skills necessary for success in the workplace. In an economic environment where the quality of our children's lives will depend on two-income families, our daughters cannot be less prepared for the highly competitive workplace than our sons. 

 At Khadija Girls College, we understand the importance of co-curricular activities and provide ample opportunities for the students to participate in various activities according to their talents and interest.