Children’s rights

These days the world is facing economic crisis and the leaders are trying their best to overcome this issue. But the world has totally ignored the people, particularly the children, which are in a dismal state since decades. By looking at the dismal state of children in most of the parts of the world, one can easily predict that the Children’s Rights Convention served nothing else than a piece of decorated paper.
In 1990, Pakistan was one of the first countries to ratify the Convention on Children’s Rights to ensure children’s access to basic rights. Appallingly, Pakistan was also the first country to forget her duties towards children. In Pakistan the topics like rape, sodomy, corporal punishment, beggary, child abuse, child labour, early marriages, prostitution, are considered taboo which points to how effective our government has been in advocating children’s rights.
According to recent reports, child abuse is widely practiced but the problem is rarely addressed since the topic is socially and culturally tabooed. Children’s education is also in a dismal state. Corporal punishment is prohibited but physical violence is routinely observed in schools because institutions have failed to bring about a major change in banning the practice.
Government, NGOs and civil societies are spending millions of rupees to celebrate this day by organising conferences or walks; but whenever any child cries, they are the one who either run away from the front door or just console children temporarily to gain attention of the media and donor agencies. We are living in a country where there is no guarantee of security and implementation of law and order, no expectations from the government to work for the welfare of children.
I believe that education and civil rights are the foremost important issues which need serious consideration. Unless we promote education, we cannot expect any change. Children must be heard and every possible step must be taken to provide them safety.
MUNIR MOOSA SEWANI
Karachi