NCRC briefs parliamentarians on state of children’s rights

News Desk

Islamabad: The National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) held a briefing with policymakers and media on the state of children’s rights and measures taken by the Commission during its first term.

The purpose of the briefing was to raise awareness and promote dialogue on children’s rights in different sections of society and highlight NCRCs performance in its first term from March 2020 to February 2023.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Commission was constituted in February 2020 under the National Commission on the Rights of Child Act, 2017.

Since its inception, NCRC has been instrumental in advancing child rights by delivering its mandate, examining and reviewing laws and policies, inquiring into child rights violations, contributing to awareness and advocacy initiatives, and carrying out research on policy matters related to child rights.

NCRC Chairperson Afshan Tehseen discussed the progress of NCRC under her leadership in the first term of the commission.

She highlighted all the challenges that were faced while setting up the commission and shared that NCRC started working immediately after it was notified without any delay.

She mentioned that this commission has set up an unprecedented example in developing the rules for it and recruitment rules of NCRC have been approved in the first term.

In her presentation, she shared that NCRC reviewed national laws pertaining to child rights, identified anomalies and proposed a number amendments the o federal and provincial governments. She also highlighted that NCRC advocated for notification of rules and system gaps across Pakistan.

While talking to the media, she said that NCRC actively used media as a strategic partner in raising issues of children throughout Pakistan including appointing celebrity Ahsan Khan aa s “Goodwill Ambassador”.

Performance Review

The Commission has followed-up on 338 child rights violations, and issues ranging from child sexual abuse, street children, child abuse, child labour, children in care institutes and forced conversion. During the first term, the Commission held 144 cases of child sexual abuse, 68 cases of murder with rape and 53 cases of reported missing and abduction of children.

Parliamentarians Speak  

Farhatullah Babar, former senator and seasoned politician commended the work of NCRC and gave recommendations to improve the situation of child rights as well strengthening of NCRC. He added that the commission has worked immensely on safeguarding child rights and tenure of the current Commission should be extended for another term.

He also highlighted that the current law needs to be reformed for attaining independence of the Commission as per Paris Principles. He mentioned that there is a need to prepare a National Database on the status of children.

Minister Faisal Karim Kundi Advisor to Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation, extended that there is large number of vulnerable population in Pakistan, including children.

Kundi said that all politicians should need to raise their voices and highlighted the main issues for the development of Pakistan. He added that NCRC should continue working with the same enthusiasm in the protection and promotion of child rights.

Senator Dr Mehr Taj Roghani stressed that health is a basic right of children and it should the top priority of the government. She said that malnutrition, chest infection and diarrhea are the major factors contributing to child mortality in Pakistan. She appreciated the work of NCRC and assured full support.

Senator Syed Mushahid Hussain shared that provinces have autonomy after 18th Constitutional Amendment on children issues and it is government’s negligence if they are not delivering as per the mandate.

He added that children with disabilities should also be brought in the main stream. There is a need to prepare a broad national consensus and a national action plan on child rights.