Speakers at a seminar titled ‘Breaking the Chains of War: A Story of Change’ said on Saturday that Sindh was once known as Baab-ul-Islam, but unfortunately, the current state of education in the province is lagging and needs urgent improvement.
They stressed that we all need to work together to improve the situation. They pointed out that education is not only for securing jobs but also for raising awareness. They said that those who marry off their children at a young age deserve punishment, and that there are strict laws against such violations. Physical abuse of children is illegal and unethical, and needs to be stopped immediately, they added.
The seminar was organised by the Tameer-e-Khalaq Foundation (TKF) and Save the Children. Besides their officials, various political and social leaders, artistes, teachers and children participated in large numbers, with speakers providing detailed information to them about the harms of child marriage.
TKF Thatta district coordinator Nighat Sultana, Thatta Child Protection Officer Mehreen Iqbal Soomro, Sindh police women cell incharge Shabana Jokhio and Fatima Zaman Brohi said that under the TKF’s supervision, 70 centres have been established in District Thatta and 10 in Jangshahi.
They said that these centres provide modern skills training along with education to those children who had discontinued their education due to age constraints. They expressed pride in the children of the centres at Goth Sabz Ali Khan Brohi, Kohistan, Goth Ali Nawaz Jokhio, Jangshahi, and Waheed Dino Shoro, Thatta, saying that their skills and abilities have greatly impressed them.
During the seminar prominent artistes from the Mehak Theatre Group, Thatta, including Zulfi Shah, Qadir Jakro, Urs Narejo, Rata Muhammad Iqbal, Yaqoob Kalahoro, Rashid Raja and Benazir Junejo, received applause for their outstanding tableaus.
The seminar was also attended by Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation Director of Information Abdul Qadir Shaikh, and social leaders Shahnawaz Jokhio and Shankar Lal among other esteemed guests.