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<p>Education is an integral part of the UK's approach to improving human rights.
The education of girls continues to be a priority for UK development assistance in
Pakistan. Under the Punjab Education Sector Programme, we are working with a local
partner organisation to reintegrate young and adolescent girls who have left school
prematurely back into mainstream schools or vocational education. Within less than
a year, over 4000 girls have benefitted from this intervention so far.</p><p>The British
Government supports other programmes designed to improve human rights and opportunities
for women, religious minorities and marginalised groups. For example, the Department
for International Development's AAWAZ II programme works with communities to promote
rights of children, women, youth and religious minorities, protect them from exploitation,
and prevent discrimination and intolerance. It also funds interventions in support
of ending child marriage.</p><p>During my visit to Pakistan in February, I raised
our concerns about child protection, the treatment of minority communities and the
issue of forced marriage with Pakistan's Federal Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen
Mazari.</p><p>We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to take the steps
necessary to comply in full with its human rights obligations to vulnerable groups,
including religious minorities and women and girls.</p>
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