Special Education and Training Center (SETC) Emeritus Professor Dr Khalida Tareen said on Sunday that the Universal Children Day will be observed on November 20 under the slogan of “Stop cruelty to children”.
She said one out of five children under-18 were suffering from mental health problems. Prof Prof Khalida said that unfortunately, our children were being exposed to mental, physical and emotional violence and sexual abuse, adding that the children constitute 49 percent of Pakistan’s total population, which is why, SETC, would arrange a week long activities to celebrate Universal Children Day and highlight the rights of the children. She said SETC would organise different programmes comprising several activities. On November 21, SECTC will arrange a debating competition on “Children rights and responsibilities” and art and drawing competition. On November 22, national songs and naat competition, poetry competition will be conducted on November 23; November 25 is our sports day and we will observe cleanliness day on November 26 2013.
According to a UN study, the population increase of children will make up 90 percent of the next billion people. Understanding the importance of children rights, November 20 was first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954. It was established to encourage all countries to institute a day to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the world’s children.