The launch of consultations between WHO and Ministry of Human Rights to draft a national Strategic Action Plan on Violence Against Children is indeed a critical and long overdue step toward safeguarding Pakistan’s 112 million children. At a time when the country grapples with alarming realities ranging from physical, sexual and psychological abuse to the stark fact that over 12.5 million children remain trapped in child labour,the need for a cohesive and effective national strategy has never been more urgent.
For far too long, efforts to protect children have been fragmented, often limited to isolated initiatives that fail to create sustainable change. The proposed strategy seeks to change that paradigm. As Federal Secretary Abdul Khalique Shaikh aptly stated, Pakistan now requires a unified vision that brings together education, health, law enforcement and community systems. This plan promises exactly that clear institutional responsibilities, measurable targets and a robust monitoring and evaluation framework that allows for accountability and continuous improvement.Built around seven proven strategies including strengthening laws, reshaping harmful norms, creating safer environments, supporting caregivers, bolstering financial security for families, improving response services, and enhancing children’s life skills, the framework offers a comprehensive blueprint grounded in global evidence. If implemented effectively, it can address the root causes of violence rather than merely respond to its consequences.Protecting children is not just a moral obligation, it is a national imperative. Every child who is safeguarded from violence, exploitation or neglect becomes a child who can learn, grow and contribute meaningfully to society. Our future prosperity depends on unlocking the vast potential of its young population.This national strategy is, therefore, need of the hour – an opportunity to elevate child protection from scattered efforts to a coordinated national priority. We have to ensure that this plan does not remain on paper but translates into tangible protection for every child.
