Youths demo for rights

LAHORE
A number of teenagers Monday demanded the government introduce policies for the protection of the rights of under-18 youths.
They held a demo and demanded the government and the parents address their issues and did not treat them as toys. The demo was held at Faisal Chowk near the Punjab Assembly and organised by an NGO.
One of the organisers of the demonstration, Nasir Ghafoor, said the purpose of the demonstration was to highlight the problems faced by under-18 youths. He said they were neglected by society and the government. He said correct and timely information on vital health and behavioural issues could save these kids from exploitation, abuse, rights violation and ill-informed decisions.
The NGO claims that eight children become victim of sexual abuse everyday while one out of 10 college/university students is a drug addict. “Hardly two per cent youth has necessary knowledge about prevention and causes of infectious diseases,” it said.
Muhammad Hassan, 15, a student of a hotel management, said there was no policy to resolve issues faced by the youth below 18 years of age. Ali Malik, 17, another student, said parents and caretakers should come forward and provide them with appropriate knowledge about physical and emotional changes they underwent while growing up.