Children should be included in policy decisions, says Hassan Ali. Photo: Express
Lahore: Children are being affected more by environmental changes and economic and societal issues, but unfortunately, we have a ‘child protection policy’ and not a ‘climate action plan’. Now smog is affecting children’s lives. We need to protect children to secure our future.
In the past 10 years in Punjab, good legislation has been done to address forced child labor, child labor, bonded labor, domestic work, and sexual violence, but implementation mechanisms for some laws have not been able to be put in place. For the first time in the national history, a National Commission for Children’s Rights has been established, and the Punjab Child Protection and Welfare Bureau will be set up in each district within the next two years. Children’s opinions should be included in making laws and policies related to them, giving them the right to express their opinions from the household level will build their confidence and brighten the country’s future. Do not play with children’s lives through child labor, discourage them, and make their future better through child labor. These ideas were expressed at the ‘Express Forum’ held in relation to ‘World Children’s Day’.
Dr. Shoaib Akbar, Secretary for Human Rights, Punjab, said that children are not ‘stakeholders’ but ‘rights holders’ who need to be protected, which is the responsibility of the state and society. The most important human rights are children’s rights. They are humans too and have to become efficient citizens in society, so special rights and measures are required for children. In the past 10 years, good legislation has been done regarding children, and the budget has also been spent, which has been beneficial. The Child Protection and Welfare Bureau was only in provincial headquarters, but in 2 years it will be in every district.
Representative of Soul Society Iftikhar Mubarak said that the theme of International Children’s Day in the last year is ‘Every Right for Every Child’. Good legislation has been done at the federal and provincial levels in the last 12 years, in Punjab too legislation was done but rules could not be formed. If laws are implemented by making rules on them, it will be beneficial. In this regard, all stakeholders should work seriously.
Representative of Soul Society Rashida Qureshi said that our future ‘children’ are being severely affected by environmental changes. It is time for us to move towards climate action. The country is being severely affected by environmental changes, and now smog has become a threat to citizens. But there is currently no climate action policy in the country. The state needs to think seriously about this.
Representative of Children Syed Hassan Ali Shah said that Article 12 of the Charter of Children’s Rights gives children the right to freedom of expression. If children’s opinions are taken into account in matters related to them, children will gain self-confidence, which is the best for their future. Children’s opinions should also be included in policy-making or legislation at the government level.
Children’s representative Abeeha Batool said that existing legislation regarding children should be further improved and implemented to ensure the removal of children from the quagmire.