PRP uses gender as a cross-cutting theme and addresses gender gaps in skills and knowledge among learners, teachers in pre-service/in-service, school curriculum policy and text books. The goal relating to the attainment of gender sensitivity, equality and equity are at the core of all three major components of PRP. The focus of all design activities is to ensure full and equal access to both girls and boys, and achievement of good quality in basic education.

The PRP approach to gender mainstreaming is two-pronged and based on in-depth research and analysis, as well as, field based experiences. On the one hand, PRP integrates gender into all major components and ensures equal outcome for its beneficiaries. On the other hand, especially where inequalities are deep, PRP takes gender specific measures and actions to address different needs and interests of beneficiaries (men/women/girls/boys), such as reserving quotas for women in scholarships. Moreover, PRP has developed gender strategy that is focused on reducing gender disparities in primary education and improving ability to read—the main goal of the PRP. The goal of the gender strategy is to enable girls, along with boys, to improve their reading skills through a strategic focus on selected high-impact activities in each of the three components of the project. The strategy provides a systematic framework to address gender issues in the PRP and to demonstrate results.

PRP develops gender sensitive materials that support a culture of tolerance and inclusion, boost the concept of safe and gender-friendly schools, and reinforce gender equality at all level. Moreover, promotional materials (posters and brochure) have also been developed to promote gender equality in PRP schools. PRP project staff and stakeholders receive extensive trainings in gender mainstreaming. For that gender and conflict sensitivity training manual has been developed with the aim of helping project partners and beneficiaries to develop in-depth gender understanding.

Looking at the complex scenario that arises from the differences in reading ability of girls and boys across Pakistan with regional and provincial variations, PRP intends to solicit the national gender study to explore gender discriminatory practices and gaps in quality education, in particular reading, faced by girls and boys.  The purpose of the study is to collect first-hand, field based and region specific information related to gender gaps and discrimination that impact the major goal of the project, i.e., to improve reading skills of children in PRP targeted schools. The study will basically provide insight to PRP and to education institutions to address gender discrimination and to design more gender equitable and sensitive interventions for the learners of grades 1 and 2.

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