Pakistan: The beacon in the darkness of Illiteracy
In many parts of Pakistan, being unable to read or write can mean more than just missing out on education—it can mean a life of hardship, silence, and exclusion. For Christian women in particular, who face deep-rooted cultural, economic, and religious challenges, illiteracy often reinforces a cycle of poverty and vulnerability.
The Pakistan Bible Society is responding with hope and action through a powerful literacy project that is already transforming lives.
A Bold Vision for Change
This year, with God’s grace, the Bible Society aims to reach 3,000 illiterate Christian women and girls across Pakistan—particularly those living in villages, slums, deserts, and other remote or restricted areas. Many of these women are domestic workers, brick kiln labourers, or field hands—often denied education due to poverty, custom, or gender-based restrictions.
Through the establishment of 300 literacy centres, led by 300 trained teachers and supported by 30 local supervisors, women will learn to read and write in Urdu—the national language of Pakistan. These classes are held in the afternoons or evenings to accommodate working schedules, allowing women to earn and learn.
More Than Words on a Page
Literacy in this context is not simply academic—it is deeply transformative. Being able to read equips women to:
Manage household budgets more effectively
Keep personal financial records and repay debts
Engage with medical information and care for their health
Read the Bible for themselves with joy and understanding
Encourage their children to pursue education
By adding a medical guide to this year’s syllabus, the project also aims to educate women on hygiene, maternal health, and preventive care—fostering stronger, healthier families and communities.
Reaching the Hard-to-Reach
One of the most striking elements of this project is its reach into some of Pakistan’s most challenging regions. Areas such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Baluchistan—where cultural restrictions often prevent women from leaving the home—are being engaged through the cooperation of local religious and political leaders. In these regions, the literacy rate among Christian women is estimated at just 2%.
Through partnerships with churches and Christian NGOs, and by gaining the trust of local communities, the Bible Society is making inroads where traditional education systems have failed.
Rooted in Faith, Delivered in Love
Each student receives a New Readers’ syllabus and picture book upon joining, and those who graduate will be awarded a certificate and a large print New Testament in Urdu. Teachers will also receive a large print Bible as encouragement. Literacy classes are hosted in church buildings, where possible, and supported by a dedicated board of management to ensure accountability and care.
Partners in this effort include Church of Pakistan, Assemblies of God, Full Gospel Assemblies, The Salvation Army, Catholic Church, Umeed Partnership, Nai Umeed, and several other faith-based organisations already experienced in adult education.
A Brighter Future for the Next Generation
The ripple effects of this project are already visible. Newly literate mothers are valuing education for the first time and advocating for their children to attend school. With literacy comes confidence, dignity, and a renewed sense of worth. The ability to read the Bible in their own language opens the door to personal spiritual growth and a stronger identity in Christ.
These women, once silenced by circumstances, are now becoming voices of hope and change within their communities.