Our Work in Pakistan

In Pakistan, The Library Project provides Literacy Programs, Remedial Reading Lessons, and Book Donations to young girls and women living and working in rural communities. These programs support women laborers working on farms by helping them strengthen reading skills, access books, and build confidence through continued learning.

Our Remedial Reading Lessons provide focused literacy support for learners who may have had limited access to formal education or who need additional support to build foundational reading skills. These programs are designed to meet learners where they are and provide practical, encouraging instruction that supports their daily lives.

Our Book Donations provide reading materials that support literacy instruction, independent reading, and continued learning. By placing books into rural communities, we help create more opportunities for young girls and women to practice reading, explore new ideas, and strengthen their connection to education.

The Library Project also provides Capacity Building for local literacy nonprofit organizations in Pakistan. This support is free of charge and may include one-on-one mentoring, planning tools, fundraising guidance, program development support, and access to practical resources. By strengthening local organizations, we help build long-term, community-led literacy impact.

Literacy in Pakistan

Pakistan faces a major literacy and learning challenge, especially for girls and women in rural communities. UNICEF reports that more than 26 million school-age children in Pakistan are out of school, one of the highest numbers in the world. Most of these children are girls, children from underprivileged families, children with disabilities, and children living in hard-to-reach areas. UNICEF also reports that 77 percent of children in Pakistan are unable to read and understand a simple text by age 10.

Girls in rural communities face some of the greatest education barriers. The World Bank reports that rural girls are the most likely to drop out after primary school, and that girls make up more than half of Pakistan’s out-of-school children. Poverty, school-related costs, distance, safety concerns, and sociocultural barriers can limit school attendance and reduce opportunities for continued learning.

For young women and adult women working in rural agriculture, literacy can be especially important. FAO reports that 62 percent of rural women in Pakistan work in the fields, while only 19 percent are in paid employment, and 60 percent work as unpaid workers on family farms and enterprises. Limited literacy can make it harder for women to access information, understand written materials, participate in community life, and pursue additional learning or livelihood opportunities.

Reading is the foundation for learning, communication, and opportunity. The Library Project’s work in Pakistan responds to this need by supporting young girls and women in rural farming communities with Literacy Programs, Remedial Reading Lessons, and Book Donations, while also strengthening local literacy nonprofit organizations through Capacity Building.