Are there ways to improve quality life in Pakistan?
The majority of Pakistanis are facing a low quality lifestyle. Everyone wants to improve his or her lifestyle. Here are some to improve the quality of life in Pakistan.
1. Health
Healthcare systems are poorly developed in many countries in South Asia including Pakistan. As a result, people have poor access to healthcare services, which leads to higher rates of chronic disease. To address these issues, the World Bank and the Government of Pakistan partnered together and implemented several programs to provide healthcare to those who need it the most. A few of these initiatives included developing community-based primary care centers throughout the country and providing treatment at no cost for patients suffering from HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Furthering this initiative was the establishment of the Social Welfare Department in 2009. In addition to providing relief to those affected by poverty, the department aims to strengthen women's economic empowerment. By empowering women financially, they gain control over their own lives and are able to make decisions regarding matters concerning them.
2. Education
Education is one of the most effective tools we have as humans to change the world around us. Unfortunately, there are still many educational challenges facing Pakistan today. From a lack of quality teachers, to the insufficient number of schools in rural communities, education is not easily accessible to everyone. There are two types of public schools in Pakistan; government schools and private schools. Private schools are owned by individuals and charge tuition fees. Government schools, however, are funded by the government and free of charge. However, due to the low numbers of qualified teachers, some government schools limit enrollment to those students whose parents pay for their schooling. Children from wealthy families often receive preferential treatment and enroll early. Overcrowded classrooms and overcrowded school buses mean that children miss out on learning opportunities, while teachers are forced to teach under the pressure of large classes. Furthermore, poor sanitation and a lack of drinking water lead to outbreaks of diarrhea, which further impairs children's educational progress. Many children drop out of school completely before completing 10th grade, since they cannot continue without their basic necessities. Improving the quality of education would allow Pakistani youth to pursue their dreams of becoming successful adults.
3. Infrastructure
Infrastructure refers to the physical structures that enable people to live their daily lives. Water and electricity infrastructure are critical to everyday life. Yet, despite being a majority-Muslim nation, only 28% of Pakistanis have access to clean drinking water and 48% do not have access to electricity. Providing access to safe drinking water and power is especially challenging given the mountainous terrain of Pakistan. Poor roads and a lack of skilled labor leave many remote villages isolated, preventing them from receiving necessary supplies such as food, medicine, and fuel. Improving the infrastructure of Pakistan would allow residents to reach their full potential and increase productivity.
4. Food Security
Food security is defined as having sufficient food to meet the nutritional requirements of all members of a population at all times. While a secure source of food is important for everyone, it is particularly relevant to women and children. Due to a high rate of malnutrition among female infants and young children (one of the highest worldwide), increasing the amount of nutritious food available to pregnant mothers and lactating mothers directly increases infant survival rates. Access to food contributes significantly to gender equality. Women play a central role in caring for the household, making sure that meals are prepared, eaten, and cleaned. Additionally, women have less time to spend working outside of the home. By giving women equal economic opportunity, a country can ensure that women have enough income to purchase nutritious foods and maintain their health.
5. Women’s Empowerment
Women's empowerment is the process of gaining greater decision-making capabilities for themselves and their communities. Although women hold the greatest responsibility within the household, they are often excluded from political processes. Without a voice in politics, women have little say in how their society operates and what laws are passed. Gender inequality is deeply rooted in Pakistani culture, but women are starting to stand up against discrimination. Several organizations are striving to advocate for women's rights in Pakistan, including the Aurat Foundation and WISE Initiative. These groups focus specifically on educating girls about their rights and advocating for legislation that promotes gender equality.
6. Environment
Pakistan is a highly populated country with a rapidly expanding economy. The combination of these factors puts significant strain on the environment. Pakistan has already begun to feel the effects of climate change, as unusually heavy rains and snowfall cause floods. In fact, 2011 saw the worst flooding in recorded history thus far. The rising sea levels and heavier downpours threaten coastal towns and cities and contribute to erosion along coastlines. Pakistan currently lacks the resources required to combat environmental degradation. For example, forest preservation efforts are hindered by a lack of funding and land ownership laws that discriminate against the rights of minorities. The government could encourage sustainable development practices that reduce the negative impacts of rapid industrialization.
7. Poverty Alleviation
Poverty alleviation is the goal of ending extreme poverty, establishing basic standards of living, and promoting prosperity. Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than $1.25 per day. In Pakistan, 37.9 million people live in extreme poverty, or roughly one in every three citizens. Of these, 50% are women. Poverty reduction strategies should target both men and women. Since women are primarily responsible for household duties, including farming, increasing women's employment opportunities will help alleviate poverty. Another strategy is to educate children so that they may earn more money when they become adults. This will raise incomes for households and decrease dependence on social assistance programs. Finally, promoting microfinance institutions may lower the incidence of poverty by allowing poor families to borrow small amounts of money at low interest rates to start businesses.
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