Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education (PAGE) is proud to announce a momentous achievement as its flagship program, Star Schools, has been recognized as one of the two Laureates of the esteemed 2023 UNESCO Prize for Girls and Women’s Education.
The ceremony, held in Beijing, China, was a moment of immense pride as Ms. Fajer Rabia Pasha, the Executive Director of PAGE, received the coveted shield from the honourable China’s First Lady, Peng Liyuan. The event was also attended by Ambassador of Pakistan to China, H.E Mr Moin Ul Haque.
This recognition not only signifies a significant milestone for PAGE but also firmly establishes the organization as the first in Pakistan to receive such a distinguished accolade from UNESCO.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Fajer Rabia Pasha said, “On behalf of Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education, I stand before you today profoundly humbled and deeply honoured to accept the UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education.” She further said, “As we celebrate the progress we’ve made in promoting girls’ and women’s education, we must also acknowledge the challenges that persist.
The global pandemic has exacerbated existing disparities in education, with girls being disproportionately affected. We cannot afford to let this setback deter us. Instead, we must use this moment as a catalyst for renewed commitment and innovation in our efforts to ensure that every girl, regardless of her circumstances, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve her dreams.”
The selection of the Star Schools project by the Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education (PAGE) as the 2023 UNESCO Prize for Girls and Women’s Education Laureate comes as a result of rigorous evaluations by an Independent International Jury. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, following the Jury’s recommendations, has bestowed this distinguished honour upon PAGE. The UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education is a celebration of outstanding and innovative contributions made by individuals, institutions, and organizations that are committed to advancing girls’ and women’s education.
Executive Director PAGE, Ms. Fajer Rabia Pasha also expressed her gratitude towards the Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Education, and National Commission for UNESCO for their valuable and continued support for the advancement of girls’ education in the country. “I thank the Pakistani government for nominating the Star Schools Programme. I would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the People’s Republic of China, the donor country for the prize. Thanks to your generosity we will be able to fund more schools and use the prize as a catalyst for greater change.”
PAGE is honored to be at the forefront of this transformative work, and this recognition motivates the organization to continue its unwavering commitment to empowering girls and women through education in Pakistan.