Initiated by the UN in 1954, the Universal Children’s Day is observed on November 20 every year to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and to initiate action to benefit and promote their welfare.
It was also chosen as the day to celebrate childhood to draw attention to particular vulnerable children. Often appearing on the margins of social policy and state actions, this silent category is very much a part of the rights discourse in development and governance.
Saba Trust on Sunday, in collaboration with Islamabad Crescent Lions Clubs (ICLC) and Development Communications (DEVCOM), organised an event titled ‘Children Festival’ at its premises with orphan children.
Former ambassador and senator M Akram Zaki and Senator Nilofar Bakhtiar were the chief guests while Saba Trust Chairperson Sagheer Aslam and DEVCOM Pakistan Director Munir Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.
Some 40 orphan children, aged 5 to 24, attended the event and performed a number of tableaus. They sung national songs and Iqbal’s poetry to give the message of hope, love and right of living. They also highlighted social issues like the menace of terrorism’ and shared the message to spectators about peace, love and solidarity of the nation.
They recalled the vision of Quaid and Iqbal through colourful cultural programme and stressed the government to take concrete steps for the welfare of children – who are the most vulnerable segments of this society.
Addressing the gathering, Akram Zaki described the children as the future of the country and said, “We have high hopes with them.”
Stressing the need of creating a child-friendly environment in the country through ensuring their safety from exploitation and deprivation, Zaki said though the government was least bother to spend for the welfare of children, a number of philanthropists and organisations were assisting orphan and other children, adding everyone must help the needy to make the society strong.
Senator Nilofar Bakhtiar said, “I personally believe that female children are most vulnerable but I have more expectations from them as they show more responsibility and duty as compare to male children.”
Nilofar urged the government to take tangible steps for the welfare of female children as they need more rights to live their lives and take part in the development of the nation.
The senator said, “Women are weaker that is why I also emphasise and care for female children rather male.”
Sagheer Aslam said the plight and misery of down and out children had always touched his wife Bushra’s heart. Time and again she expressed her desire to adopt some of the orphans. “Saba Trust is working since 1965 silently but it came into prominence after the devastating earthquake of 2005. The trust’s main focus now is on the unique, one-of-a-kind, history-in-the-making orphanage. It is a four-storey building that will house orphan girls, aged 4 to 7 years.”
Aslam said the orphans would live and be taught at the facility till they got married or found jobs. “They can be adopted – parents can sponsor the child’s upbringing and visit,” he explained.
Munir Ahmed of DEVCOM said over 70 percent population of the country was marginalised and was not aware of its basic rights. “If they are deprived of their rights, the country can not proper in any field,” he said, adding in such situation children and in particular orphan children must be looked after well.
Later, the organisers also distributed gift packs among the children.
