KARACHI:
Children across Sindh and Balochistan are in a sorry state of suffering. They suffer in every aspect of life, be it health, education, or social security.
The Constitution of Pakistan, Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and some other international instruments and human rights treaties advocate for civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, but leave the basic necessities ignored.
Since most of the children are not registered at birth, they have no prospect of a better future in this country. It is proposed that the relevant federal and provincial level bodies on child rights monitor implementation of child rights with utmost emphasis and assertion of their right to education and access to justice.
Moreover, child labour must be prosecuted and completely wiped off from Pakistan. Despite laws having been passed on curbing child labour, the nuisance still prevails and encourages people to hire children on inhumanely low wages.
Child marriage is another nuisance that destroys children’s lives and the oncoming generations from them. One of the major causes of mental and personality breakdowns of our children is the disadvantaged childhood they are introduced to, which leads them to grow up to a toxic life, transferring the toxicity to the people around them. As a result, our society, on a collective note, turns out to be toxic and disintegrates irreparably. The state must immediately upscale legislative measures to ensure children’s rights and safety if the country is to thrive on them as building blocks.
Kalsoom Abro
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, April 2nd, 2024.
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