“Education is vital for all girls.” Meet the twin activists giving lessons on equality

When Maryam and Nivaal Rehman first stepped into a classroom, life unfurled before them. Raised in Canada, the twins were instilled with a love of learning. Whether reciting the alphabet in preschool or delving into novels as teenagers, they soaked in everything they could. But they soon realised that not all children have the same opportunity. In their home country of Pakistan, many girls are denied the chance to pursue an education. Today, these sisters are teaching lessons on equality, and fostering a future for all. 

Maryam and Nivaal were born to enact change. At only eight years old, they readily stepped into their roles as activists during a trip to their family’s village in Pakistan. “We visited a girls’ school after learning that some of them were going to quit when they reached Grade 5,” Maryam says. Here, poverty and social norms prevent many girls from completing school. Some families prioritise their son’s education, encouraging their daughters to abandon their studies early. By Grade 9, only 13% of girls remain in classrooms, while the majority end up supporting their families or marrying. 

For 10 years, Maryam and Nivaal returned to their village to champion gender equality and inclusivity. “An education is vital for all girls,” Maryam says. “It really opens your eyes to the world around you.” They met with the local community to highlight the importance of schooling and provided girls with a strong support system throughout their studies. Yet Maryam and Nivaal knew that their work had only just begun. “We wanted to create awareness about some of the reasons why girls were out of school,” Nivaal says.

In 2016, the sisters founded The World With MNR, a non-profit organisation that uses advocacy and storytelling to inspire global change. They created the documentary Destined to Soar, exposing gender disparities in education and celebrating the progress that has been made. “Through our work, we constantly try to encourage girls to continue their education and change the statistics in Pakistan,” Maryam says. The sisters’ unrelenting passion to fight for equality has bettered the lives of countless individuals. With the key to unlock their potential, young women around the world have the power to do anything.