Empowering Girls in Pakistan: Zindigi, The King’s Trust International, and PAGE Expand the Achieve Initiative
In a significant step towards empowering young girls in Pakistan, Zindigi – Powered by JS Bank, The King’s Trust International, and the Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education (PAGE) have signed an agreement to launch an expanded phase of “The Achieve Programme.” This initiative aims to enhance personal development, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, and employability skills among underserved girls within the Federal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab areas.
Building on Insights and Addressing Critical Needs
Since its initial launch in 2023, the Achieve programme has made remarkable strides, empowering over 100 underserved girls from three schools with both formal and informal education. The next phase of the programme aims to broaden its impact, ensuring that even more girls have the opportunity to thrive. Asma Anwar, Head of CE, People & Culture at Zindigi, expressed her enthusiasm, stating: “We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with The King’s Trust International and PAGE Pakistan. This initiative aligns deeply with our mission to empower the youth of Pakistan, and we believe it will create a sustainable model that equips young girls with the education and skills they need to succeed.”
Fajer Rabia Pasha, CEO & MD of PAGE, highlighted the critical need for such initiatives, especially given the concerning dropout rate of 10.5% for girls by grade 9. “Our ongoing partnership with Zindigi and The King’s Trust International is expanding the opportunities available to these girls, ensuring they stay on the path to success and grow into the leaders of tomorrow,” she added.
Wasim Malik, Head of Asia and Middle East at The King’s Trust International, highlighted the positive outcomes of the pilot project: “Out of those participants who were surveyed, 97% felt more comfortable in working with others, which promotes the essential life skill of teamwork. All the respondents felt an increase in their self-confidence, and strongly agreed that participating in Achieve has increased their willingness to attend school more regularly. Teachers reported a positive change in their teaching style.”
Malik further expressed appreciation for the leadership of Zindigi and PAGE, emphasizing the importance of these partnerships in continuing to help young girls succeed in their education and careers.
The Achieve Programme: A Comprehensive Approach
The Achieve Programme focuses on developing core skills such as communication, teamwork, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship. It offers a learner-directed experience, with groups meeting once or twice a week to develop skills and confidence through relevant, engaging, and informal learning. Participants work towards a Prince’s Trust accredited qualification, covering topics such as Life Skills, Personal & Social Development, Enterprise, Active Citizenship, and Preparation for Work. However, the accredited qualification is optional and not mandatory for all Achieve programmes.
Finding her Voice: Muskan’s Journey
The transformative impact of The Achieve Programme is exemplified by the story of Muskan who found her voice through the initiative. Before joining the programme, Muskan struggled with public speaking anxiety. However, after four months of weekly skills-building sessions, she overcame her fears and expresses: “Now, I confidently communicate my thoughts and ideas, and others see me as a confident speaker.”
Muskan was among the first 100 girls to participate in the programme. With its emphasis on public speaking, it has been particularly impactful at helping girls like Muskan build their confidence and competence in a supportive environment. “The group activities were instrumental in helping me overcome my anxiety,” Muskan says. “Being surrounded by supportive peers and mentors gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone.”
Achieve also encourages a growth mindset, teaching participants that mistakes are a normal part of learning. This shift in perspective helped Muskan face her fears and push past her limitations. “I learned that resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about getting back up every time you do,” she explains.
Scaling Up for Greater Impact
Muskan’s success is not unique. All the girls surveyed at the end of their programme reported improved confidence, with 97% also noting improvements in teamwork and managing feelings.
Following this success, efforts are underway to scale up the Achieve programme, doubling the number of participants this year alone. Through continued collaboration and support, Zindigi, The King’s Trust International, and PAGE are committed to empowering more girls across Pakistan, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to succeed.