By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE:group of adolescents and young people has called on the Government of Pakistan to place child rights at the highest level of national and provincial priorities, stressing that children require special and affirmative measures, not symbolic commitments.
This call was made during a World Children’s Day 2025 commemoration supported by Search for Justice, the Children Advocacy Network (CAN Pakistan), the Child Rights Movement (Punjab), Climate Action Now–Pakistan, and the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC), all of whom work to advance child rights, gender equality, and climate justice in Pakistan.
Saif Ali, a 15-year-old member of the Child Protection Forum of Search for Justice, reminded policymakers that protection from violence, abuse, and exploitation is not optional — it is a legal obligation under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and a core commitment under the Sustainable Development Goals. He urged the Prime Minister and all Provincial Chief Ministers to move beyond ad hoc initiatives and adopt a clear, multisectoral plan of action that strengthens child protection systems across health, education, policing, and social welfare.
“Commitments mean nothing without real budgets and real results — actions must speak louder than promises,” Saif stressed.
Bisma Sajid, a child human rights defender, highlighted the growing threat of technology-facilitated gender-based violence. She noted that online harassment, blackmail, non-consensual image sharing, and digital exploitation have become routine risks for adolescent girls, while preventive efforts and policy responses remain weak. Bisma called for integrating digital literacy, online safety, and rights-based education into curricula across schools and universities. She emphasized that young people must be equipped not only to protect themselves online but also to report abuse and challenge harmful digital behaviour.
Laiba Khan, 16, underscored the urgency of addressing adolescents’ psychological and emotional wellbeing. She said young people across Pakistan face stress, stigma, and anxiety but often lack meaningful support systems. Adolescent girls, she noted, face additional pressures due to social expectations and limited safe spaces. Laiba recommended appointing trained psychosocial support officers in schools through a phased approach, starting with high and higher secondary institutions where the need is greatest.
Iftikhar Mubarik, Executive Director of Search for Justice, called for stronger coordination between federal and provincial governments to ensure coherent and effective action on child rights. He said fragmented mandates, overlapping responsibilities, and inconsistent implementation continue to weaken child protection systems — even three decades after Pakistan ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. He emphasized the need for a unified framework with shared priorities, accountability mechanisms, and harmonized policies so all provinces move in the same direction.
The young participants collectively stressed that children are not passive recipients of decisions. They are active contributors whose experiences must inform policy. They urged the government to ensure meaningful participation of children in decisions affecting their rights — including education, protection, climate action, and digital safety.
Tags:
child rights, World Children’s Day, Search for Justice, CAN Pakistan, Child Rights Movement, digital safety, gender-based violence, mental health, youth participation, Pakistan government
