Pakistan Pakistan A slow change coming by Jenny Matthews The life chances for girls born in the tribal areas of Pakistan are pretty grim. The literacy rate for women is a measly 3%, there is little chance of clean drinking water or health care and there is a high possibility of being married off at 12 or 13, which often involves being sold to a middle aged man. Kwendo Khor (Sisters home) was set up in 1993 by Maryam Bibi, a native of Waziristan (one of the provinces that borders Afghanistan and is considered a base for Taliban fighters so is frequently under attack). Her lifelong struggle to become educated and be allowed to work has been transformed into an operation that is revolutionizing life for hundreds of women throughout the Northwest frontier of Pakistan. Although the lack of development is now linked to a lack of security, over a hundred schools, many informal gatherings in village courtyards, prioritize girls’ education. Alongside education there are micro-enterprise schemes to bring women some earning power, and medical projects to deliver health and hygiene. www.khwendokor.org.pk Budalqila village. Community school set up by Khwendo Kor. Karak village. Girls are hidden away in fortified compounds. Whenever they leave the compound women are heavily swathed in veils. Budalqila village. Community school set up by Khwendo Kor. Keen girl students. Dir district. Community based school. Dir district. Community based school . Budalqila village. Community school set up by Khwendo Kor. Budalqila village. Community school set up by Khwendo Kor. Walaki Mahabatt village. Community school run by Khwendo Kor. Walaki Mahabatt village.Community school run by Khwendo Kor. Saadia. Kundokhel village. A village home with goats. Khyber agency. Pirokhel village. The home of a councilor used as a community based school.