NCRC and Embassy of France Launch Child Rights Campaign

The National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) and the Embassy of France have collaborated to initiate a comprehensive awareness campaign in Pakistan. The campaign aims to address critical issues impacting children in the country, including child domestic labor, child abuse, and the enrollment of out-of-school children.

The primary goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about the prevalence of child domestic labor in Pakistan. It focuses on educating the public about the demand for child labor and stresses the importance of education in eliminating this practice.

According to statistics from the International Labour Organization (ILO), one in four households in Pakistan employs children for domestic work, exposing them to dangerous conditions. The campaign aims to shine a light on these practices and advocate for the protection and rights of these vulnerable children.

Ambassador of France to Pakistan, Nicolas Galey, emphasized the significance of this initiative in promoting children's rights globally. The partnership between France and the NCRC marks a crucial step towards addressing the challenges faced by children in Pakistan, ensuring their safeguarding from exploitation and abuse.

Chairperson of NCRC, Ayesha Raza Farooq, highlighted the urgent need to tackle the issue of over 26.2 million out-of-school children in Pakistan. Economic constraints and limited access to quality education often push children into the workforce, perpetuating a cycle of poverty. The campaign advocates for collective efforts to secure every child's right to education.

In addition to child domestic labor, the campaign also focuses on the alarming rates of child sexual abuse in Pakistan. The NCRC is dedicated to advocating for stronger laws and societal awareness to combat this atrocious crime.

To combat the exploitation of children in domestic work, the NCRC has developed the 'Bill on the Prohibition of Child Labour in Domestic Work 2024,' which aims to prohibit the employment of children under 18 as live-in domestic workers and impose stricter penalties on offenders.

The NCRC has engaged in extensive consultations across all provinces and at the Federal level, concentrating on educational reforms and the challenges faced by out-of-school children. Insights and recommendations from these discussions will be consolidated into a policy brief to drive educational reforms.

The campaign features culturally sensitive animations designed to raise awareness and inspire action among various audiences, particularly children and parents. These animations address issues such as child labor, child sexual abuse, and lack of school enrollment in a way that resonates with the local community.

We urge all citizens to actively participate in this campaign by sharing the animations on social media and within personal networks. Timely reporting of instances of exploitation or abuse can significantly contribute to safeguarding children's rights and ensuring their well-being.

The collaborative efforts of the NCRC and the Embassy of France in launching this awareness campaign signify a crucial step towards protecting the rights of children in Pakistan. By addressing issues like child labor, child abuse, and lack of education, the campaign aims to create a safer and more secure environment for all children in the country. It is imperative for society to come together and support initiatives that prioritize the well-being and future of our children.