Religious extremism and girls' right to education in Pakistan: history, development, and prospects: the case of the SWAT valley

Abstract

This thesis deals with the aspect of religious extremism in Swat Valley of Pakistan along with the aspect of woman’s right to education which are integrally correlated. The first chapter of this thesis deals with the introduction of the topic along with setting objectives and aims for the research process. In this thesis following research questions were mainly addressed: In what ways is religious extremism threatening girls’ basic right to education in Pakistan? Have there been any changes in the last decades? Which? What could be the adequate responses to this situation? The second chapter of this thesis deals with the literature review to evaluate the existing research and articles about the insurgence of religious extremism in the Swat valley along with the impact of this in the education system of women and the cultural harmony of the locality. In chapter three, research methods were established. These methods are very much concentrated on the secondary data analysis that is based on the literature in order to carry out the desired outcome from the existing data about the Islamic terrorism and women education in SWAT valley. The case of Malala being shot by terrorists is specially elucidated in the research to depict the level of extremism along with the resistance from Malala for advocating the free education for women. The chapter four deals with thematic data analysis in order to select themes for portraying the knowledge from existing research processes. In the chapter five, I discuss the growing trend of militancy and what social, political and religious factors gave fertile environment to religious extremism in Swat Valley. In chapter six, I analyze how religious extremism effect Women education in the study area. Last chapter consists of conclusion and recommendation. It has been concluded that the Pakistani education system for girls has much improved in the last decade. Finally, it was recommended to prevent and eradicate the terrorist group radicalization.