Frances Ferreira Talks to SPARC
Ms. Frances Ferreira, Senior Adviser for Women and Girls at the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) in Canada shared with SPARC her insights on the state of women’s empowerment in Pakistan, the barriers to gender equality, and the role of technology in advancing education and opportunities for women. Having worked closely with Pakistani organizations such as SPARC and Bedari for nearly a decade, Ms. Ferreira has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education and skill-building programs.
Reflecting on her recent 10-day study tour in Pakistan, Ms. Ferreira highlighted the significant progress made by local organizations in uplifting women and girls. “Over the past decade, more than 30,000 women and girls have gone through SPARC’s programs, gaining vocational skills, life skills, and even returning to school,” she noted. “Even if we change one woman’s life, that impact extends beyond her—it transforms her family, her community, and ultimately, society as a whole.”
She praised the passion and resilience of the individuals leading these initiatives, noting that as long as dedicated mobilizers and educators continue their work, the trajectory for women’s empowerment in Pakistan remains promising.
When asked about the biggest global challenges to achieving gender equality, Ms. Ferreira pointed to deeply ingrained societal norms that limit women’s roles. “In many societies, women are expected to stay home, bear children, and take care of households. This perception exists worldwide, not just in Pakistan,” she explained. “The challenge is to introduce change while respecting cultural and religious traditions—negotiating rather than challenging.”
She emphasized the lack of female role models as another set back. Many women in rural areas remain unaware of the opportunities available to them because they have never seen someone from their background achieve and succeed. “We need to introduce young girls to role models and success stories—show them that they, too, can be leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers,” she said.
Addressing the urgent issue of child marriage, Ms. Ferreira stressed that girls forced into early marriages lack control over their own lives. “An empowered girl is one who can make decisions for herself. A child bride does not have that power,” she stated.
She identified three key strategies to combat this issue:
community awareness, educating fathers, mothers, and young girls about the long-term consequences of child marriage;
legal advocacy, pushing for stricter minimum marriage age laws and ensuring their enforcement; and
support systems, providing safe spaces and mentorship programs where girls can seek help if they feel trapped.
“Laws alone are not enough. If parents continue arranging marriages in secret,
we need organizations and communities to act as gatekeepers of justice,” she urged.
On the topic of technology and women’s empowerment, Ms. Ferreira offered a pragmatic perspective. “Technology should not drive education—education should drive technology,” she explained. “We must first assess the needs of women before introducing digital solutions.”
She highlighted three key factors for technology’s success in rural areas:
access, as many women lack personal smartphones or reliable internet; relevance, since traditional tools like radio programs may be more effective than high-tech solutions; and
readiness, as communities must be prepared for digital education through awareness and training.
“We cannot assume that just because social media exists, every woman has access to it. We must design interventions that meet women where they are.”
Ms. Ferreira also touched on an often-overlooked barrier to empowerment—women’s reluctance to support other women. “In some organizations, they prefer hiring men because they believe men won’t be distracted by family responsibilities. This bias exists even among women,” she observed.
She stressed the importance of mentorship programs to foster leadership and create role models within communities. “Every woman who succeeds must reach back and lift another woman up. Empowerment is not an individual journey—it’s a collective movement.”
As COL continues its mission to support women and girls worldwide, Ms. Ferreira remains optimistic about Pakistan’s progress. “Empowerment is not a destination—it is a process. Through education, awareness, and strong community support, we can build a future where every woman and girl has the power to make decisions for herself.”
Her message was clear: real change starts when women and communities work together. The time for action is now.
This insightful conversation with Ms. Frances Ferreira provided a powerful call to action—one that highlights the urgent need to address gender inequality, child marriage, and education gaps through a multi-faceted approach. As Pakistani organizations like SPARC continue their efforts, the hope is that these initiatives will create a ripple effect, bringing lasting change to communities across the country.The question remains: how can we, as individuals and organizations, contribute to this movement and ensure that empowerment is not just a goal, but a reality for all?
