ISLAMABAD: The National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC), in collaboration with the French embassy, launched a comprehensive awareness campaign to address critical issues affecting children in Pakistan, such as child domestic labour, child sexual abuse and out-of-school children.

The campaign’s primary goal is to raise awareness about child domestic labour, targeting the demand side while promoting education as a key factor in eliminating child labour.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), one in four households in Pakistan employed a child for domestic work, often in hazardous conditions. The campaign aims to shed light on these practices, advocating for the protection and rights of these vulnerable children.

Ambassador of France to Pakistan Nicolas Galey emphasised the importance of this initiative, saying, “France is committed to promoting children’s rights throughout the world, alongside all our partners. Our collaboration with the NCRC represents a significant step towards addressing the pressing challenges faced by children in Pakistan. Our shared vision is to safeguard the rights of children and ensure they grow up in environments free from exploitation and abuse”.

French envoy says shared vision to eradicate child abuse, exploitation

Ayesha Raza Farooq, the NCRC chairperson, said “With over 26.2 million out-of-school children, Pakistan confronts a severe challenge. Economic pressures and limited access to quality education drive many children into the workforce, perpetuating a cycle of poverty. This campaign is a call to action for all of us to ensure that every child has access to their fundamental right to education”. The campaign also tackles the distressing rates of child sexual abuse in Pakistan.

According to the “Cruel Numbers Report 2023” by NGO Sahil, 11 children were sexually abused every day in the country last year. Ayesha Farooq said that the NCRC was committed to advocating for legislation and societal awareness to combat this crime.

In response to the increasing exploitation of children in domestic work, the NCRC has drafted the “Bill on the Prohibition of Child Labour in Domestic Work 2024”. This proposed legislation sought to explicitly ban the employment of children under 18 as live-in domestic workers and introduce stricter penalties for violators. The bill would soon be presented to the cabinet for consideration and action.

Additionally, the NCRC conducted extensive consultations across all provinces and at the federal level, focusing on the education sector plans and the plight of out-of-school children. These dialogues provided critical insights and recommendations, which would be compiled into a forthcoming policy brief aimed at driving educational reforms.

A key element of the campaign is the creation of culturally sensitive animations designed to raise awareness and inspire action among various audiences, particularly children and parents. The campaign ensures that the content is tailored to the local context, culturally sensitive and age-appropriate.

The organisers said that the characters, settings, and scenarios depicted in each animation were familiar and relatable to the Pakistani community, enhancing the authenticity and impact of the message, urging all citizens to actively participate in this campaign. Ayesha Raza Farooq emphasised that sharing these animations on social media and in personal networks could help disseminate the message and foster collective action against child labour and abuse while promoting education.

“If you witness instances or any other forms of exploitation, please report them immediately at 1099 or 1121 as your prompt action can save a life,” said Ayesha Raza Farooq.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2024