KARACHI: Schools and paediatrics departments at different hospitals in the metropolis on Tuesday arranged special programmes to commemorate Universal Children’s Day.
The day that marks the Declaration of the Rights of the Child adopted by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in the 1950s followed by the adoption of Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989 is focused on promoting child welfare across the world.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, in his message on the occasion, said that the provincial government was fully committed to adhering to the objectives of Universal Children’s Day with the motive to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights. “Series of reforms have been introduced and laws formulated to translate good intentions into actions beneficial for our children without any distinction,” he said.
“We are absolutely committed to building a better world for the children,” the chief minister reiterated.
During the day-long activities arranged by many schools to celebrate the day with the current year’s theme “Children are taking over and turning the world blue”, young school students attired in blue could be witnessed discussing their rights and also their responsibilities.
Senior paediatrician and coordinator, KONPAL for prevention of child abuse, Prof Dr Ayesha Mehnaz, addressing one of the sessions, said that concerted efforts are required for the protection of the children vulnerable to abuse and exploitation due to their tender and limited capacities.
Mentioning that children are dependent on adults for everything from food to shelter to education, she said that it was important that the state, as well as communities, realise their obligations towards the kids.
“It is imperative that their rights are heard so as to enable them to evolve into confident, energetic and efficient citizens of tomorrow,” she said.
Paediatrics Emergency Unit at Lyari General Hospital, in collaboration with a local NGO ChildLife Foundation, also arranged a special session to raise awareness among the people in general and caretakers of child patients in general towards the future of the country.
Senior child specialist and head of the paediatrics department at LGH, Dr Yasmeen Kazi said that simple and cost-effective interventions can guarantee quality life for children.
Safe and quality survival is the basic right of our children that demand affection and care on part of parents in particular and communities in general.
All stakeholders were urged to join hands to ensure the right to education, clean water, quality food and a safe environment for children across the country.