Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids


Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids works with SPARC to save young generations from tobacco hazards through sustainable measures in Pakistan. SPARC is actively pursuing interventions that may curb use of tobacco among youth together with concrete policy on ground to help address tactics of tobacco industry.


SPARC is lobbying with different stakeholders to increase Federal Excise Duty (FED) and impose health levy on tobacco products to minimize extra burden on the country’s healthcare budget keeping child rights perspective in view and to distance minors from tobacco use. SPARC’s motive also comprises getting clear “Pictorial Health Warnings” on cigarette packaging, so that buyers are not manipulated while buying the cigarettes and are aware of all the heath issues caused by nicotine/tobacco use. Moreover, the emerging tobacco products introduced by the tobacco industry are extremely popular among children and adolescents. I collaboration with CTFK, SPARC has started several counter social media campaigns to stop the advertisements on “Novel Tobacco products”originated by the big tobacco industry.


Achievements:
Recently, govt. has announced to increase 10 percent FED on tobacco products and Rs 380 per kg on tobacco processing. The boosted tax rate on cigarettes and tobacco processing will add Rs36 billion in totality which will benefit the healthcare system and expectantly improve financial resources.

 

Reaching out to Juvenile Prisoners in Central Jail Peshawar through Stakeholders’ Involvement


SPARC worked in Central Jail Peshawar on restorative justice system and improving prison conditions. This formation of a cohort of dedicated stakeholders willing to work towards restorative justice system; availability of handy resource material on roles and responsibilities of JJ stakeholders with subsequent improved access to sports, recreation and health based needs of minimum 120 juvenile inmates. Children living with incarcerated mothers are also the beneficiaries of the project.


Reaching Out to Incarcerated Youth through Educational Uplift


SPARC completed a project in Youthful Offenders Industrial School Karachi to re-socialize the children and youth into the fold of society through techniques of positive behavior. The project over a period of 12 months will worked to incorporate Non Formal Education, Computer Literacy and Life Skill Based Education among 120 juveniles. They will also be provided with sports activities to offer a healthy outlet for their energies. Similarly, introduction of a Learning Corner will help nurture an environment to enhance the youths’ cognitive, linguistic, social and civil development. SPARC will also train prison staff on Juvenile Justice System Act and to sustain interventions in the long run.

 
Combating Child Early and Forced Marriage through Girls Empowerment 


SPARC completed 2016- 2018 project in Multan, largely aimed at improving the livelihood opportunities for disadvantaged young girls and women in targeted communities by providing vocational skill training, Life Skills Based Education (LSBE), creating market linkages, referring for advanced training and employment and advocating for the education and training of girls. Basic mandate of the project was also prevention of Child Early & Forced Marriages (CEFM) in marginalized communities where girls are taken as burden of the family while boys are considered as earning hands. Provision of vocational training and earning opportunities to girls at their doorstep helped in delaying the marriage age of young girls. SPARC concluded the project in December 2018 by training 6078 girls in Multan and Muzaffargarh districts over the period of more than 2 years out of which 610 girls got internships while 23 got formal employment and 145 are self-employed. Moreover, 13 girls got microloans to start their business and 429 girls opened their own bank accounts to manage their finances. Community awareness on the issues of early marriages and importance of education and training for girls was also huge part of the project. Major stakeholders like TEVTA (Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority), Chamber of Commerce, Louis Berger and Akhuwat Foundation has also been taken on board for the support and sustainability of the initiative at local level. Job fair and market exposure was ensured to get girls familiar with the market demands and business development skills.


The project was supported by Commonwealth of Learning (COL) as part of their Girls Inspire initiative in developing countries.


Learning is Fun: Promoting Child Friendly Education


SPARC with the financial support of BMZ - Bundesministerium Für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit (German Federal Ministry for Economic Development Cooperation) and Kindernothilfe, successfully completed its four year project- Learning is Fun: Promoting Child Friendly Education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in March 2018.The project covered 60 schools in district Haripur and Abbottabad with technical support of district education departments. A baseline was conducted to ascertain requirements whereby SPARC improved school environment through provision of furniture, wash facilities, pictorial depiction of various subjects, sapling plantation, outdoor play facilites, and provision of first aid boxes to deal with minor injuries. In the result of collaboration among SPARC and Education Department, about 5798 students were enrolled in project selected schools, 346 girls and 221 boys in Abbottabad were facilitated for birth registration certificates whereas 229 boys and 256 girls in Haripur were reached through project teams and NADRA. Also 320 students from private schools moved back to government schools due to attractive and appealing school environment.  Redressal complaint mechanism too was introduced to make the school environment free from corporal punishment.

 

 
   
   
   
   
   
       
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