Over 20,000 girls have benefited from the scholarship since 2013
The British Council, in partnership with the Scottish Government, has launched the 10-Year Impact Evaluation Country Report of the Scotland Pakistan Scholarships for Young Women and Girls, highlighting the transformative power of education in the lives of over 20,000 girls and young women across Pakistan.
Since its inception in 2013, the programme has supported more than 18,000 girls at the school level and 2,000 at the university level, helping them overcome financial, social, and cultural barriers to education. Designed to reach some of the most underserved communities—including girls from religious minorities, persons with disabilities, and rural and remote areas—the programme has had a far-reaching impact on access, retention, confidence, and ultimately, workforce participation.
Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, Chairman Prime Ministers Youth Program said:
“The 10-Year Evaluation Report of the Scotland Pakistan Scholarships for Young Women and Girls highlights a decade of transformative progress. This initiative, in collaboration with the Scottish Government, has significantly expanded educational opportunities for underprivileged girls across Pakistan, paving the way for a more inclusive and empowered future.”
James Hampson, Country Director at the British Council Pakistan, said:
“This initiative, generously supported and funded by the Scottish Government, has always been about far more than just funding education. It’s about opening doors, unlocking potential, and sending a powerful message to every girl: you matter, and your dreams are worth backing. The incredible scale of this program, reaching more than 20,000 girls and young women across Pakistan, demonstrates the profound impact we have achieved. When we invest in girls, we don’t just change their future—we change entire communities.”
The evaluation, conducted using a mixed-methods approach, reveals that:
- the scholarships have significantly increased enrolment and retention rates, reduced financial stress on families, and led to measurable gains in self-confidence and academic performance.
- Among school-level beneficiaries, 87% of parents reported that the scholarship eased financial pressure, while 95% saw improved confidence and performance in their daughters.
- At the university level, 73% of recipients said they would not have been able to continue their studies without the scholarship, while nearly 50% of eligible graduates are now in the workforce, many in socially critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and research.
James McNulty, Inclusive Education Lead (International Development) at the Scottish Government, added:
“Gender equality and inclusive education are at the heart of Scotland’s international development priorities. We are proud to have partnered with the British Council to deliver this impactful programme, and this evaluation shows that our investment is enabling lasting change—empowering young women in Pakistan to overcome barriers, pursue opportunity, and lead their communities forward.”
The report also highlights powerful individual stories: from a young woman in Gilgit-Baltistan who became a gold medallist despite growing up in poverty, to a nurse in Karachi who rose to become a university lecturer, and a deaf student in Sindh overcoming systemic challenges through scholarship support. To read the complete report please visit https://bit.ly/3Gqpk0y .
As Pakistan continues to face significant gender disparities in education and employment, the Scotland Pakistan Scholarships for Young Women and Girls stands as a proven model for inclusive, sustainable, and life-changing support and is an integral part of the British Council’s mission to provide women the platforms that will enable them to become leaders and changemakers for a more prosperous Pakistan.
