Fighting for rights
Current statistics regarding the health and wellbeing of Pakistan’s children are abominable.
Current statistics regarding the health and wellbeing of Pakistan’s children are abominable. PHOTO: FILE
We live in a country and at a time in which even children have to fight for their protective rights. Yes, children, those vulnerable, naive, innocent beings who are supposed to look to adults for their wellbeing — and when the adults they look up to fail to achieve that objective, they look to the state. However, sadly, our government has not been able to provide Pakistan’s youth with the facilities and resources they need to lead healthy and secure lives. In fact, from the moment they are born, children are at risk, as according to a latest report, one in 77 babies dies on its first day of life. All in all, it is a shame that children, so young and vulnerable, have to fight for their own rights and thus, it is due time that the government took a proactive lead to change the lives of these children.
True, promises have been made and articles have been passed, such as Article 25 of the Constitution, envisaging the right to free and compulsory education. However, in practice, children are still seen on the streets during school hours labouring away to earn their daily meals. Whereas the children’s wills are there to attend school and become educated, the government’s will is lacking. Children are not being given the facilities and resources they need to transform their lives. Taking this into account, there are several areas that require increased budget allocations. Primarily, education development needs vast attention and financial resources. In this area, all citizens of the country are stakeholders, for an educated people contribute positively to the collective wellbeing of the country.
As imperative as education aid is increased allocation to the health sector, specifically to address the high incidence of infant mortality. Current statistics regarding the health and wellbeing of Pakistan’s children are abominable. Immediate attention and budget increases in these areas must be implemented now before conditions deteriorate further.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2013.
True, promises have been made and articles have been passed, such as Article 25 of the Constitution, envisaging the right to free and compulsory education. However, in practice, children are still seen on the streets during school hours labouring away to earn their daily meals. Whereas the children’s wills are there to attend school and become educated, the government’s will is lacking. Children are not being given the facilities and resources they need to transform their lives. Taking this into account, there are several areas that require increased budget allocations. Primarily, education development needs vast attention and financial resources. In this area, all citizens of the country are stakeholders, for an educated people contribute positively to the collective wellbeing of the country.
As imperative as education aid is increased allocation to the health sector, specifically to address the high incidence of infant mortality. Current statistics regarding the health and wellbeing of Pakistan’s children are abominable. Immediate attention and budget increases in these areas must be implemented now before conditions deteriorate further.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2013.