Ministry of Human Rights (MOHR) would establish a shelter home for vulnerable children in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) to ensure their protection and safety.
The shelter home would be set up at the first floor of Crisis Center for Women H/8, as security arrangements are already satisfactory there and no extra resources would be required, an MOHR official said.
He shared that National Child Protection Center (NCPC) was already running a non-formal school for street children where temporary shelter facility was also available but this new center would be equipped with all desired facilities.
The step has been taken as every child has equal rights without any discrimination and our religion also did advocate their rights, adding that it was government’s responsibility to ensure conducive atmosphere for their upbringing.
The official informed that education was the fundamental right of every child and Article 25-A of our constitution also made it compulsory, but unfortunately children were forced to indulge in economic activity due to poverty.
The Article 25-A said, “The state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years in such manner as may be determined by law”.
He further shared that it was alarming that a number of domestic child labour and child violence cases were reported at MOHR so they have decided to set up a place where such vulnerable children should be shifted immediately.
He added that these children urgently needed physical and psychological support and should be kept in an environment where they could feel themselves protected.
