KARACHI: Participants in a walk held on Sunday in connection with Universal Children’s Day called upon the government to enforce laws pertaining to children, while expressing concern over the rising incidence of violence and child abuse in society.

The walk, which started from the Arts Council and concluded at the Karachi Press Club, attracted a large number of rights activists, members of the medical fraternity, teachers, parents and children.

It was organised by the Konpal Child Abuse Prevention Society and Medical and Social Welfare Committee of the Arts Council of Pakistan.

“A country with more than half of the population comprising children and youth has no future without investing in this critical segment of society,” Konpal chairperson Dr Aisha Mehnaz said, while emphasising the need for implementing laws in true spirit and taking immediate punitive action against culprits involved in cases of child abuse.

Walk organised to mark Universal Children’s Day

This was the only way we could safeguard our future as the whole society would have to pay the price tomorrow if victims of child abuse were not provided justice today, she added.

Dr Mehnaz, a senior paediatrician, also shared concern over Sindh’s poor child health indicators which, she said, was a matter of embarrassment, particularly for medical professionals.

“High rates of malnutrition, stunting and infectious diseases among children and low immunisation coverage in Sindh call for immediate government attention and action,” she said, adding: “It is imperative that the government, political leaders and the community leaders accord priority to the problems being faced by children and take prompt steps.”

Referring to this year’s theme of Universal Children’s Day, Dr Farrukh Abbasi representing Konpal said every child had the right to a better future.

“Safeguarding the fundamental rights of children as outlined in the United Nations Child Rights Convention to which Pakistan is a signatory is the only way we can ensure a better tomorrow,” he said.

Dr Mirza Ali Azhar, president of Pakistan Medical Association (Karachi), described rampant violations of children’s rights in society as alarming.

“We need to ponder what kind of society we will have in the coming years. There are multiple dimensions of traumatic childhood experiences including their long-term effects on an individual, his or her family and society,” Dr Azhar said.

He also drew attention towards the country’s high out-of-school children. “Over 25 million children aren’t going to school. This is unacceptable if we really want to prosper as a nation. The government must play its due role in this respect.”

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2022