The Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education (PAGE) is proud to share a significant accomplishment: Star Schools, the organization’s flagship program, has been named one of the two laureates of the prestigious 2023 UNESCO Prize for Girls and Women’s Education.
Ms. Fajer Rabia Pasha, the Executive Director of PAGE, got the prized shield from Peng Liyuan, the First Lady of China, at the ceremony, which was held in Beijing, China. H.E. Mr. Moin Ul Haque, the Pakistani ambassador to China, also attended the occasion.
This distinction establishes PAGE as the first organization in Pakistan to earn such a prestigious award from UNESCO and marks not only a significant milestone for PAGE. Ms. Fajer Rabia Pasha gave a speech on the occasion, saying, “On behalf of Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education, I stand before you today profoundly humbled and deeply honored to accept the UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education.” She continued, “As we celebrate the strides we’ve achieved in advancing women’s and girls’ education, we must equally recognize the difficulties that still exist. Existing educational inequities have been made worse by the global epidemic, with girls being disproportionately impacted. We cannot afford to be discouraged by this setback. Instead, we must make use of this opportunity to redouble our efforts and innovate in order to guarantee that every girl, regardless of her situation, has the chance to learn, grow, and realize her ambitions.
Following thorough reviews by an Independent International Jury, the Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education (PAGE) has chosen the Star Schools project as the 2023 UNESCO Prize for Girls and Women’s Education Laureate. Following the Jury’s advice, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has awarded PAGE with this prestigious prize. The UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education honors exceptional and creative achievements by people, institutions, and groups dedicated to furthering girls’ and women’s education.
The National Commission for UNESCO, the Ministry of Education, and the Government of Pakistan were also thanked by Ms. Fajer Rabia Pasha, Executive Director of PAGE, for their invaluable assistance in advancing girls’ education in the nation. I’m grateful that the Pakistani government put the Star Schools Program forward. Additionally, I would like to extend our profound gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for providing the award. We will be able to support additional schools and utilize the prize as a catalyst for bigger change because of your generosity.
PAGE is proud to be at the forefront of this groundbreaking work, and being recognized for it inspires the organization to stay steadfast in its goal to empowering girls and women in Pakistan through education.
