In our society, women and children are the most vulnerable beings as they have to face multiple problems and abuses i.e. physical, sexual and verbal abuse. A number of women and children face abuse every day and no one notices it because society does not understand what abuse is. Preventing child abuse is considered a high priority in the West and detailed laws and policies exist to address this issue. Likewise, in order to address the alarming situation of child abuse in the province, the Punjab government intends to establish “Child Rights Commission” which will be responsible to constitute a comprehensive child protection policy and will independently monitor the juvenile case reporting and registration, investigation, prosecution and conviction.
Besides, medical rehabilitation, legal and social issues of the minors, who are victims of domestic violence, child trafficking, child labor, child marriage and all kinds of child abuses, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, pornography and prostitution will also be taken care of by the commission. Since it is the shared responsibility of the entire society including the government to protect children therefore in this respect, the decision by the government to set up Child Rights Commission certainly deserves praise and commendation. Children are the flowers of heaven and beauty of this world. They are assets of our society and future of the country lies with them hence, every effort should be made to establish the Child Rights Commission on priority basis.
Syed Ali Qasim
Lahore Cantt
