Child Rights are not only fundamental but the inherent rights of all human beings under the age of 18. That is why it is pertinent for everyone to understand, comprehend and support Child Rights. It is the mutual responsibility of everyone, including children, parents, community members, professionals, law enforcement agents, education and health planners, government and non-government agencies, and media to help in the promotion, and implementation of Child Rights in Pakistan. The effective implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) cannot be ensured unless every individual and institutionplay an active role.

Children need to learn about their rights andlearn to respond positively towardsthe rights of other children. Teachers should design the teaching-learning process, following the guidelines of effective child development techniques.

Families/adults/communities shouldcreate a protective and conducive environment for every child in the country and inculcate sensitivity, civic responsibility, and ownership. The government institutions, as primary duty bearers shouldchalk out their plans ensuring effective policy-making to reinforce the implementation of Child Rights. Lawgivers should set universal and national Child Rights and protection standards, make effective laws and work hard for their implementation. NGOs are responsible for identifying and highlighting issues, creating awareness, imparting Child Rights education, advocating for Child Rights and helping the government institutions in their monitoring and implementation. 

UNCRC demands everyone to be involved in implementing it.In this regard, it is crucial to understand the local context and design a national plan of action forChild Rights and its implementation.

One of the best strategies to act as a catalyst in facilitating the implementation of Child Rights is to elicit and sustain the coordinated support and active involvement of individuals, groups, organizations, communities and sectors in the society that can facilitate ensuringthese rights. SPARC believes in building capacities keeping into consideration the entire child ecology. Children observe and respond to the positive and negative individual behaviors coming from home, school and community throughout their childhood. Everyone contributes towardsthe survival, development, participation and protection of  children.SPARC follows quality training indicators in needs identification, formulation of aims and objectives, planning and designing, implementation and evaluation.

SPARC training team prepares and conductscapacity-building sessions, formal workshops, curriculum development, interactive discussions, organizeforum theaters,develop materials including training manuals, toolkits, IEC materials, and interesting teaching learning aids,Conduct training needs assessments/baseline studies,and preparemonitoring/evaluation/technically assistance schemes for practitioners.

SPARC training unit implemented interesting capacity-building ventures working with children, educationalists, civil society members, police officials, lawyers, judges, prison, probation officials, labour officials, politicians, parliamentarians and other relevant members of societywho desire to contribute  towards the implementation of Child Rights in Pakistan.

Some of the Prominent SPARC’s Training projects

PROJECT “EDUCATION CANNOT WAIT (ECW)” PROJECT INTENDS TO TO SUPPORT PAKISTAN FLOOD RESPONSE (SUPPORT PROVIDED BY ACTED) IN SINDH: (KASHMORE AND JACOBABAD), (ACTED)

Providing access to formal/non-formal education and establishing child friendly spaces (CFSs/TLCs)

Rehabilitation of public schools through need assessment, community support, networking,

Capacity building of teachers on establishing child friendly spaces based on multigrade teaching standards

Enhancing the capacities of School management committees to perform effectively 

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION OF YOUNG PRISONERS AT KARACHI AND KHYBER-PAKHTUNKHWA, UNDP

The training plan under this project basically focused to change the perceptions of prison, probation and prosecution officials towards the young prisoners. It gave them the knowledge of human rights, dealing with dignity, eradication of culture of violent extremism and promoting the atmosphere of inclusion etc. Training activities were designed to develop attitudes of empathy, solidarity and respect for differences and diversity; and develop inter-cultural competencies.

Activities included training of prison staff of Malir jail, Women jail and Youthful Offender’s jail in Karachi and Peshawar jail; training of probation officials of both KP and Sindh; life skill training of young prisoners, development of training manuals for probation and prison staff members; and development of course for non-formal education for the young prisoners.

LEARNING IS FUN (CREATING CHILD FRIENDLY CLASSROOMS IN ABBOTTABAD AND HARIPUR) BMZ

Project dealt with the wholistic approach of school development, including capacity building of children (life skills and civic education), teachers (active teaching learning techniques, lifelong learning, effective pedagogy skills),and Parent teachers Committees (school governance and supervision, school development, school based projects).

The project entailed various training activities including development of training manuals for teacher, PTCs, and children. Teaching guides for multigrade teachers were developed.  Inter and intra school quiz competitions were designed and implemented.

POLICE TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT,EUROPEAN UNION AND PLAN INTERNATIONAL

The project was based on rasing awareness and knowledge within the police department about human and Child Rights and their implementation. It aimed at raising the standard and reputation of the ICT police force. A comprehensive training manual and objective based IEC materials were developed and disseminated.

STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITIES OF CHILD RIGHTS COMMITTEES TO PERFORM EFFECTIVELY, ROYAL NORWEGIAN EMBASSY

It was a continuous professional development training program for the Child RightsCommittees working voluntarily for the promotion and protection of Child Rights in more than 40 districts of Pakistan. The main objective was to build the capacities of community members, lawyers, teachers, journalists, and other volunteer members to understand the roles and responsibilities of establishing an effective CRC in district; to improve their skills of social mobilization and advocacy and to enhance their knowledge of legal and non-legal aspects of Child Rights and related issues.

EARLY RECOVERY PROJECT; REHABILITATION OF GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN SELECTIVE DISTRICTS OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, BMZ

The purpose of these trainings was to build the capacities of teachers, and education officials in creating a child friendly environment in schools. The objective was to promote positive discipline techniques so that school dropout rates can be decreased. Training plan included formal training needs assessments, baseline surveys, training of teachers, cascading, monitoring and evaluation and technical assistance in schools. Training team conducted the program in coordination with the Violence against Children’s Program of SPARC and the Project on Improving School Enrolment and Retention Rate in Flood Affected Areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)

REBUILDING SCHOOLS IN THE FLOOD- AFFECTED AREAS OF DISTRICT BADIN, SINDH (TDH)

Under the project, community members, school teachers and school management committees were capacitated in terms of infrastructural support to ten partially and completely damaged schools in the taluka Tando Bago, District Badin; creation of child friendly environment and undertake disaster preparedness trainings in the target schools benefitting more than 300 students and 11 teachers.

Community members/volunteers were assisted to launch advocacy campaigns towards school enrollment, and overall improvement of schools.

CAPACITATING POLICE OFFICIALS/JUDICIARY AND PROBATION DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW

Police officials and the judiciary were provided with training on ensuring the protection of children in conflict with the law.

Training team conducted trainings in collaboration with police training schools, colleges, probation departments and the judicial academies of Pakistan. Trained officials then imparted the learned skills to the other colleagues. Training team was guided to provide further assistance in the incorporation of Child Rights related content to the police training syllabus.

SPARC conducted extensive trainings at Police Training College Shahdadpur, Police Training College Saeedabad, Police Training College Quetta, Police College, Sihala, Police College Lahore, Police Lines Bahawalpur, Police Training College Hangu, Police Lines Abbottabad, Police Training School Mansehra, and Police Training School Islamabad.

Subsequently, most of the prominent police training institutes inserted human/Child Rights education into regular syllabus.  

EMPOWERING CHILD RIGHTS CLUBS IN PAKISTANTHROUGH CONTINUOUS TRAINING PROGRAMS UNDER VARIOUS PROJECTS

A series of advocacy training sessions were designed with the objective of apprising children of their rights and developing their skills to raise their voice against the violation of rights. The main objectives were todevelop children’s understanding of leadership and communication  principles and practices; acquire/increase familiarity with the UNCRC; promote  children’s awareness of how to mobilize available resources for better community participation to support Child Rights Clubs’ activities; build team spirit, mutual understanding and support among Child Rights Clubs Members (young volunteers) and their friends; improve the capabilities of Child Rights Clubs Members to lead and participate in planning, implementing, and evaluating school activities/projects having to do with good citizenship practice

Almost 200 children from Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Baluchistan and Islamabad were capacitated to form clubs and impart civic education. A comprehensive training manual Agents of change was prepared and published  

WORKING WITH STREET CHILDREN EFFECTIVELY,Kindernothilfe

This training package was designed and implemented to build the professional capacities of persons working in drop-in centers/centers for street children Keeping in view the roles and responsibilities of employees, SPARC’s training unit with the help of program staff designed comprehensive training module/manual which addressed the roles and responsibilities of CSC staff and dealt with the various aspects of street children’s life.

Team  coordinated with other street children-based projects and designed more interesting activities 

EMPOWERING WOMEN ON LIFE SKILLS AND SMALL BUSINESS UNDER THE PROJECT REACHING THE UNREACHED,Commonwealth of Learning 

These trainings envisioned enabling the young girls and women to contribute in decision making process and to enhance the family income. A comprehensive training/trainer manual on life skills and small business for women’s trainings was prepared.SPARC regional teams participated in the training of master trainer. Teams imparted training through combined as well as separately conducted sessions with more than 4000 young girls 

ENGAGING YOUTH IN PEACE BUILDING AND HARMONY THROUGH LEADERSHIP SKILLS UNDER THE PROJECT OF KARACHI YOUTH INITIATIVES

This training program was to enable students to band together and effectively advocate for their rights while playing a constructive role in uplifting in uplifting their communities. SPARC aimed to inculcate spirit of democracy and effective action, hoping to galvanize the youth to not only  become effective leaders but also promote peace and tolerance amongst peers and communities. SPARC also conducted various trainings in academic institution all over the country under this Program.

BUILDING CAPACITIES OF PERSONNEL WORKING WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT CHILD PROTECTION INSTITUTIONS TO PERFORM EFFECTIVELY,Secours Islamique France

Interactive workshop was designed under this Program, specifically, for the staff of child centers including, SPARC, Hassan Academy, Gehwara, and Kashana e Atfal. It provided participants with the knowledge about Child Rights, protection, case management, and linkages development of children with government support programs to encourage family support. This workshop served as a learning opportunity for SIF child center’s staff on child protection, referral mechanism, and psycho-social support.

The training team of SPARC conducted training with the financial and technical support provided by

BUILDING CAPACITIES OF THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RIGHTS

SPARC designed separate training manuals to build the capacities of child protection officers and the members of child protection committees. The manuals included overall concept, objectives and roles and responsibilities of both CPOs and CPCs. 

EMPOWERING CHILD RIGHTS MOVEMENT TO PERFORM EFFECTIVELY

A comprehensive toolkit based on three manuals to capacitate the Child RightsMovement was prepared. Toolkit was pilot tested with a group of trainees and later used to conduct extensive trainings with cohorts of CRM members.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHILDREN: TRAINING OF ORPHANAGE FOSTERING STAFF TO BETTER CARE FOR ORPHANS

This training package intended to provide useful guidance to individuals seeking to train foster staff to assure orphans of a better care. The focus of this training was to address the roles and responsibilities of foster mothers and coordinators in regards to better care and protection of orphans living in orphanage.