Justice (retired) Irshad Qaiser, the Caretaker Minister for Social Welfare, Special Education, and Prisons, officiated the formal inauguration of the Child Protection Unit at the Nishtar Special Education Center in Kohat on Tuesday.
This event was organized by the Child Protection and Welfare Commission of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in collaboration with UNICEF.
The newly established Child Protection Unit holds significant responsibilities, including the handling of complaints related to violence against children, devising child protection plans when necessary, monitoring registered cases, facilitating referrals to other relevant departments, providing essential services and facilities, and overseeing the implementation of child protection measures at the district level.
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Expressing the government’s commitment to safeguarding children and their caregivers while meeting national and international obligations, Social Welfare Minister Justice (retired) Irshad Qaiser emphasized the allocation of all available resources towards this crucial endeavor.
Furthermore, she highlighted the ongoing partnership between the provincial government and UNICEF aimed at establishing child protection units at the district level, strengthening the child protection helpline (1121), establishing community-based child protection structures, forming district child protection committees, and formulating a comprehensive child protection policy. She commended UNICEF for its efforts in advancing child protection initiatives in the province.
Justice (retired) Irshad Qaiser underscored the importance of prioritizing the safety, welfare, and opportunities for children, as they represent the future. She hailed the establishment of child protection units as a vital step towards ensuring the rights and well-being of children, noting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s pioneering role in this domain within Pakistan.
During the inauguration ceremony, Chief Protection Officer of the Child Protection Commission Ijaz Ahmed, UNICEF’s Child Protection Specialist Sohail Ahmed, Professor Mamoon Khattak from Kohat University, and Program Manager Muhammad Waseem elaborated on the significance of child protection measures.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st 2024.
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