Universal Children’s Day: Importance of safeguarding children stressed

Islamabad : The Universal Children’s Day was celebrated here on Wednesday under the theme ‘For Every Child, Every Right,’ led by the Child Rights Movement Pakistan with support from AwazCDS-Pakistan, United Global Organisation of Development, Islamic Relief and Youth Development Association.

The event, which marked the 35th anniversary of the UNCRC, brought together stakeholders, civil society groups, and children to reaffirm Pakistan's commitment to children’s rights, focusing on education, healthcare, protection, and participation.

It featured child-led sessions, cultural activities, mobile birth registration services, and key recommendations from children on improving education, child protection, healthcare, and participation in decision-making. CEO of UGOOD and host of the Child Rights National Secretariat in Islamabad since 2022 Syed Ishtiaq Gilani emphasised 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,” he said.

CEO of AwazCDS-Pakistan Ziaur Rehman highlighted the significant challenges faced by children in Pakistan and said over 26 million children were out of school, child labour was rising, and sexual exploitation remained rampant in the country. He added that the absence of a unified legal definition of a child in Pakistan hindered 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,” he said.