Sindhnet initial consultative meeting with CSOs
SPARC participated in the alongside representatives from SPO, Indus Consortium, CSSP, Muslim Aid, CPDI, and HANDS.
The discussion focused on fostering an enabling environment within the CSO network to strengthen collaboration and advocacy.
Kitchen Gardening Drive
SPARC, in collaboration with Sunbeams (NGO), students from and Arid Agriculture University under the col4dempowerwomen (EWG) initiative, has launched a Kitchen Gardening Drive. Through this program, community women will receive hands-on training, be provided with plants and resources to establish their own kitchen gardens, and will be monitored and supported throughout the process to ensure successful implementation.
SPARC Highlights Impact of FED Hike on Cigarette Consumption and Tax Revenue
SPARC and the Social Policy and Development Centre (SPDC) have urged the government to increase the Federal Excise Duty (FED) on cigarettes by Rs. 39 per pack in the upcoming fiscal year.
Adopted children face uncertain futures
Despite the increasing number of abandoned children placed in the care of childless couples, Pakistan still lacks formal legislation on adoption. This legal vacuum leaves adopted children vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, neglect, trafficking, and even cybercrime. Girls are particularly at risk, making up 59% of reported abuse cases. In just the first six months of 2024, 1,630 cases of child abuse were reported nationwide, including 862 cases of sexual abuse. Meanwhile, cyber child pornography cases have surged by 336% in Punjab over the past six years, reflecting the alarming scale of the crisis.
WHO Calls for Action to Save Mothers, Newborns in Pakistan
675 babies under one month old and 27 mothers die every day in Pakistan due to preventable complications. This alarming number translates into over 9,800 maternal deaths and 246,300 newborn deaths annually. WHO urges urgent global investment to save mothers and newborns in Pakistan.
Right to children's identity in Pakistan
The right to legal identity for children is internationally recognised, and Pakistan has committed to uphold this right as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Despite laws and policies, millions of Pakistani children lack legal identity, denying them access to education, healthcare, and protection. A coordinated, multi-sectoral response is essential to close this gap and uphold child rights.
MESSAGES
Anees Jillani
Chairperson
Nobody nowadays appears to have the time to read. There is so much information available that there is an information overload. Despite this, we at SPARC desire to take some of your time to apprise you about the latest issues confronting more than 130 million children of Pakistan and what SPARC is doing to alleviate the suffering of some of these children. Unfortunately, the media seldom covers issues about children unless they are sensational, and often has an angle about a particular issue. This is thus the reason for this website. I hope many will read it and generate a positive and interesting discussion.
Asiya Arif
Executive Director
SPARC is a voice for the voiceless i.e. children. We try not to miss out on their issues and create long-lasting impact rather than a band aid solution. This is mainly done through advocacy, networking with likeminded friends, organizations and service delivery. In the age of communication, I still believe website is a powerful tool in amplifying our voice and reaching out to a range of audience including children, youth, policy makers, think tanks, academics and donors. Let’s stay connected as a discourse over children should go on!
Vision
A world in which children are valued and empowered, and their rights promoted and protected.
Mission
To promote and protect the rights of children and empower them through advocacy, research, awareness, service delivery, and institutional development.
