Child protection law soon

Bill to be placed before Commission for Child Welfare and Development.

MUZAFFARABAD: Children living in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) will soon have a law to protect their rights and privileges.

AJK’s cabinet has already approved a child policy and the government has started the process to frame the necessary legislation, Sardar Sarfraz Abbasi, the director for Social Welfare and Women Development said in a meeting on Wednesday. He added the law will be in compliance with national and international obligations.

The Child Protection Bill, once prepared, will be placed before the AJK Commission for Child Welfare and Development, which will give it final touches before submitting it to cabinet and state legislature for approval. After bill is approved, the state will be responsible for ensuring that every child has equal and unhindered access to education, health and other rights.

Sarfraz said that healthy child development was a necessary to build a nation with a prosperous and sustainable future. However illiteracy and other socio-economic sufferings, he said, badly affect the mental development of children. He urged the non-governmental organisations to help the government in its efforts to protect and preserve the rights of children.

Saeed Abbasi, a prominent social figure and the regional manager for Trust for Voluntary Organisations, said the step will help improve the image of the country at the international level.

AJK has already adopted a juvenile protection law under which minors cannot be jailed in common jails in the state.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) helped Social Welfare and Women Development draft the child rights’ bill.

SWWD is also collaborating with Unicef to observe the Child Rights Week from November 19 to November 26. During the week children rallies, seminars and symposia would be organised to highlight the issue of child rights.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2010.