(University of Oregon, 2019-04-30) Adnan, Aneela; Weiss, Anita
Gender disparity in education is a global challenge. School-age girls are often denied equal opportunities as enjoyed by boys. This research aims to improve the poor state of female education in Pakistan by exploring options to develop a community space for college age girls in Swat.
This thesis focuses on the former princely state of Swat in northern Pakistan, an example of a place whose history of prioritizing education is largely overlooked. The Swat state heavily promoted education, but following its merger with Pakistan in 1969, many of the institutions it had created faltered. The Taliban takeover of the area in 2007 – 2009 further exacerbated the decline of education in the valley. Drawing upon the experiences of Ophelia’s Place in Eugene, Oregon, and field interviews with over a hundred college girls and administrators, I have identified activities to enhance girls’ education in Swat by developing innovative after-school possibilities.
