To avoid wasting years of investment in educating girls and young women, it is important to make the most of the talent pool and ensure that men and women have an equal chance to contribute both at home and in the workplace, thereby enhancing their well-being and that of society. Almost half of the children in the region now participate in formal early childhood education and care (ECEC) facilities, and most economies have won the battle to provide primary education. But the picture is more mixed at secondary and higher education levels, with participation lowest among girls in Pakistan.