‘Parents, teachers must encourage children to speak out’

Minister says parents must learn to understand what children are feeling

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Model Schools hosted a lecture on Friday to sensitise students about the social evils, particularly child abuse and brief them about preventive measures.

Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari said that to protect children from abuse and exploitation, the government has promulgated The Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act 2016, the National Commission on the Rights of the Child Act 2017, and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Child Protection Act 2018.

Moreover, she told students that a toll-free helpline, 1099, is operating in the Federal Human Rights Ministry where they provide free legal advice to victims.

The federal minister emphasized that parents and teachers should play their role by encouraging their children to speak out in case they felt uncomfortable in certain situations.

She also advised parents to learn life skills for children so that they understand what feelings and emotions their children are experiencing.

Special Assistant to PM for Capital Development Authority (CDA) Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan appreciated the efforts by the human rights ministry in creating awareness and sensitizing children on abuse.

He said that child abuse was a universal phenomenon but most of the cases are not reported due to one or the other. However, he said the present government was fully resolved to address the issue of child abuse and protect future generations.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2019.