Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : Universal Children’s Day 2024 was commemorated in Islamabad under the theme “For Every Child, Every Right”, in a collaborative effort led by the Child Rights Movement (CRM) Pakistan with support from AwazCDS-Pakistan, United Global Organization of Development (UGOOD), Islamic Relief (IR), and the Youth Development Association (YDA).
The event, held at H-9/2, Islamabad, brought together key stakeholders, civil society organizations, and children from diverse communities to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It served as a platform to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to upholding and advancing the rights of children, focusing on education, healthcare, protection, and meaningful participation.
CRM Pakistan, a coalition of over 450 civil society organizations, has been a prominent advocate for children’s rights since its inception in 2008. With active chapters across Pakistan, including AJK, GB, and the former FATA regions, CRM leverages research, advocacy, and public engagement to amplify the voices of children and address the challenges they face.
Activities and Highlights of the Event
The event featured a range of inclusive and interactive activities aimed at empowering children and fostering awareness:
• Child-Led Sessions: Children participated in workshops on critical topics such as education, healthcare, and protection, sharing actionable recommendations to enhance their well-being.
• Cultural Celebrations: The vibrant day included cultural displays, games, and face-painting, creating an inclusive and celebratory atmosphere for families.
• Mobile Registration Services: A dedicated mobile van facilitated birth registration for marginalized children, ensuring access to their legal identity and essential rights.
• Children’s Recommendations: Participants presented key recommendations addressing issues such as quality education, strengthened child protection, expanded healthcare access, legal identity, and active child participation in decision-making processes.
Speaking at the event, Syed Ishtiaq Gilani, CEO of UGOOD and host of the Child Rights National Secretariat in Islamabad since 2022, emphasized the critical importance of safeguarding children. “Children are not just our future but also our present. We must ensure their survival, development, and meaningful participation by protecting them from harm, exploitation, abuse, neglect, and violence. A nurturing environment filled with love and care is essential for every child’s happiness and well-being.”
Zia ur Rehman, CEO of AwazCDS-Pakistan, highlighted the significant challenges faced by children in Pakistan. “While Universal Children’s Day is a moment to celebrate children’s rights, we cannot overlook the stark realities: over 26 million children are out of school, child labor is rising, and sexual exploitation remains rampant. Furthermore, the absence of a unified legal definition of a child in Pakistan hinders effective policymaking. As a signatory to the UNCRC, Pakistan must enforce a consistent definition of a child as under 18, align its laws with international standards, and take decisive action to eliminate these barriers.”
Key Recommendations by Child Participants
1. Ensure Quality Education
o Prioritize access to inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all children, with special attention to girls, children with disabilities, and marginalized communities.
o Increase investment in school infrastructure, provide safe transportation, and ensure the availability of trained teachers.
2. Strengthen Child Protection
o Implement and enforce comprehensive policies to eliminate child labor, abuse, trafficking, and exploitation, ensuring children’s safety and dignity.
o Establish more child protection units at the community level and ensure children have access to help through child-friendly reporting mechanisms.
3. Expand Healthcare Access
o Enhance healthcare services, focusing on critical areas such as mental health, routine vaccinations, sanitation, and improved nutrition to promote overall well-being.
o Provide free or subsidized healthcare for children in underserved and rural areas.
4. Accelerate Birth Registration
o Streamline and simplify the birth registration process to guarantee every child’s legal identity, enabling access to their fundamental rights and services.
o Launch awareness campaigns to educate parents and communities on the importance of birth registration.
5. Promote Child Participation
o Foster environments that encourage children to actively participate in decision-making processes, empowering them to shape policies and initiatives that impact their lives.
o Establish child-led forums at schools and community levels to gather their insights and feedback.
6. Address Climate Change Impacts on Children
o Ensure children are protected from the effects of climate change by creating disaster-resilient infrastructure and incorporating climate education into school curriculums.
o Support families affected by climate-induced disasters to ensure children’s access to education, healthcare, and nutrition remains uninterrupted.
7. Improve Access to Technology and Digital Literacy
o Provide children with access to safe digital resources and ensure training in digital literacy, especially for those in rural or underprivileged areas.
o Promote online safety and awareness to protect children from cyberbullying and exploitation.
8. Enhance Recreational Opportunities
o Invest in safe recreational spaces such as parks and playgrounds, enabling children to engage in healthy activities and social interactions.
o Organize regular cultural and sports events to promote physical well-being and cultural understanding.
9. Support Inclusive Policies for Children with Disabilities
o Develop and enforce policies ensuring equal access to education, healthcare, and public spaces for children with disabilities.
o Provide specialized training for teachers and caregivers to meet the needs of children with disabilities.
10. Combat Poverty and Ensure Food Security
o Support initiatives that lift families out of poverty, ensuring children have access to adequate nutrition and basic needs.
o Strengthen school meal programs to improve attendance and reduce hunger.
The celebration of Universal Children’s Day 2024 served as a poignant reminder of the shared responsibility to protect, nurture, and empower children. By investing in their education, health, and protection, we move closer to creating a society where no child is left behind.