NCSW launches parenting manual

Includes guidelines for raising children and adolescents in line with modern concepts

ISLAMABAD:

A manual on parenting titled ‘The Art of Parenting’ was launched by the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) along with partners Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan and Aga Khan University, Quaid-i-Azam University National Institute of Psychology (NIPS) and Dukhtaran e Pakistan.

The manual includes Agoosh and Parwarish manuals to provide training for mindful parenting of children and adolescents.

The Ministry of Information and Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Health, Education, National Rahmatul lil Alameen Wa Khatamun Nabiyyin Authority, and their affiliated departments played an important role in preparing the manual and making this launch a success. Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, Quaid e Azam and Allama Iqbal Universities also played their part and pledged to contribute effectively.

The NCSW Chairperson, Nilofar Bakhtiar in her welcome address said that these manuals will play an important part to pave the way for development of the nation. Training and parenting of children from their birth to age 9 will be through ‘Agosh’ while for adolescents falling under the age group 9 to 19 years of age, the ‘Parwarish’ manual will be used.

“We are heading towards a better Pakistan, and for this our partner organisations have contributed their expertise to establish a benefitting training manual,” he said.

Aga Khan University and National Institute of Psychology presented the salient features and insights of the manuals. The Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan CEO Akhtar Iqbal thanked the NCSW and all the other actors who were involved in the rigorous process of the development of both parenting manuals of ‘Agosh’ and ‘Parvarish’ including NIPS and the Aga Khan University.

“Parents play an important role in shaping the future generations in profound ways. These comprehensive parenting manuals cater to the needs of rural and urban areas,” he said. “The operationalisation would be an important process. The activities in the manuals can be adapted according to the social and cultural context and be supplemented with local teaching approaches.”

The Guest of honour, Prime Minister Youth Program Chairman Rana Mashood appreciated the efforts of NCSW and all the partner organisations by saying that, “Through this document our future will get brightened. Quite optimistically we are hopeful our progressing youths’ character development and their approach towards an enlightened future will improve through the implementation of such a guideline as parents will be trained to raise their children.”

The Minister for Human Rights and Law, Azam Nazeer Tarar, who was the chief guest at the event, in his address said that “Parenting plays a critical role in shaping the future of children, impacting their physical, emotional, and psychological development. In Pakistan, parents often face significant challenges in raising their children due to the lack of a structured guidance and support.”

“The need for comprehensive parenting resources has become increasingly urgent, particularly in the context of rising mental health issues and behavioural problems among children and adolescents,” he further said.

Through the development of the manuals, which are aligned with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, emphasising the holistic development of children and the importance of positive parenting practices, a positive change is foreseen.