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National News
CHILD ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION
Pakistan Increases Minimum Legal Age of Marriage for Christians to 18 in order to Combat Early Marriages.The Christian Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2024,changing the outdated Christian Marriage Act of 1872, has increased the minimum marriage age to 18 years for Christian boys and girls. Earlier, girls could get married at thirteen while boys at sixteen,this only made it harder to protect those underage from early and forced marriages. This new legislation is commended by Catholic Bishops Conference of Pakistan. The law intends to protect young girls from being forced into child marriages so that they can only be legally conducted and registered when both partners are aged eighteen with the need for official documentation or medical examination to confirm ages if necessary.
Human Rights Activist Sarim Burney Arrested
in Karachi for Alleged Child Trafficking and
Illegal Adoptions
Sarim Burney, human rights activist was arrested by FIA on suspicion of engaging in human trafficking as well as illegal adoptions. It is alleged
that Burney facilitated more than twenty-five children’s adoptions in America without legal basis for their parentless status.
Alarming Rise in Child Sexual Abuse in
Mandi Bahuddin District
A total of 46 FIRs were filed in Punjab’s Mandi Bahauddin district in July 2024, as it reported over 40 cases of abduction and sexual violence against women between July 1 and July 24. It was mainly girls and young women aged between ten and twenty-eight years, with many of them being underage. Sexual violence remains widespread in spite the strict anti-rape laws which is indicated by
an escalation of violence against women in Punjab from 2023 where there were recorded 10201 incidents showing a rise of roughly 14.5%. Rape,kidnaping other forms of violence are frequently reported from this area especially in Lahore and
Faisalabad.
Child Labour Abuse
In Pakistan, around twelve million children are caught in child labor camps working in brick kilns and farms. Punjab alone has over ten million housemaids, with largest numbers being found in
Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad. The maid, who was treated cruelly by the wife of a civil judge, presents a true story of how kids are brutalized simply to satisfy their family’s daily needs. In this
case, the victim was employed as a servant at the judge’s residence for ten thousand rupees per month. Domestic workers commonly experience extreme mistreatment, low pay and job insecurity.
Despite discussions from 2019 onwards geared towards improving conditions through enactment of the Domestic Workers Act, no significant changes have been made and most workers know nothing about their rights. Legal delays and loopholes that
let powerful men avoid punishment hinder justice. Advocates propose copying examples set by Philippines where domestic work has become an industry involving regular skills training sessions.
HEALTH CONCERNS
Excessive monsoon rainfall is expected to pose severe health challenges for thousands of children in Pakistan. In contrast with last year, Pakistan has experienced a great increase in cases of cholera, malaria and dengue. Pakistan has reported around 26,500 cholera cases, and over 1.3 million malaria,as well as dengue. These cases are expected to rise due to an monsoon season.
Children face higher risks of contracting water and vector borne illnesses like malaria because of their susceptibility resulting from unsanitary conditions as well as increase in floods caused by climate change. Cholera and malaria are the major threats
to children’s health resulting into severe dehydration and thereby death due to cholera especially among children under-fives.
At COP28 there was consensus among world leaders to introduce a ‘dialogue of experts’ at COP30 on child health and well-being. Rapid action needs to be made in order to maintain global warming at 1.5 degree celcius so as to minimize dangerous consequences for all children worldwide.
Education Sector in Pakistan
Pakistan’s education crisis demands immediate attention with an alarming 26 million children out of school and millions more unable to read or write. One of the major concerns is lack of adequate resources and facilities. There is a serious dearth of teachers, especially at primary
levels leading to multi-grade teaching, insufficient middle schools/hospitality and high schools for smooth transition
from primary education.
Additionally, economic disparitie coupled with poverty also contribute significantly towards worsening educational challenges.
In response to these challenges, a few remarkable attempts have been made in last two months.For example, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration recently announced free lunch scheme for primary school students as part of its plan to improve enrolment and address malnutrition among children.Likewise, the Prime Minister’s recent declaration of a National Education Emergency and a modest increase in the education
budget also reflect a significant commitment to address these issues. However, translating promises into effective action remains a formidable challenge.
The recent initiative to switch 100 schools, in Islamabad to solar power is a commendable move towards sustainability and cost savings though its only a small piece of the bigger reform puzzle. Introducing an ICT and AI curriculum in schools is another positive step aiming to equip young students with crucial skills for the digital era. The Punjab school education department has partnered with Tech Valley UK and Canada to provide Chromebooks to 200 schools and offer IT training for 10,000 students and teachers. This program, supported by Google for Education seeks to enhance learning in Punjab.
No Bag Policy – Starting from
August 1, 2024 government
primary schools in Islamabad will
implement a policy that
eliminates the need for students to
carry their school books back and
forth between home and school.
Books will be stored in
classrooms using book racks with
the goal of reducing weight of
school bags.
International News
Legal Breakthrough: Scotland’s Incorporation of UNCRC
Scotland, has made a major legislative advancement as the first part of the UK to enshrine the UNCRC into law with effect from 16th July. It means public authorities must keep children’s rights in mind when making policies and
that it is an offence to break any provision in the UNCRC. The bill was amended and passed in December 2023 and is now enforceable. This Scottish landmark act constitutes a significant step towards embedding children’s protection and participation into the core of Scotland’s public
decision-making processes.
War & Armed Conflict
The KidsRights Index 2024 presents a worrying state of affairs regarding global children’s rights,indicating how much armed conflict and climate change have hit hardest on our youngest, and most vulnerable groups. Serious violations against children in armed conflicts worldwide have
increased by 21%. In Gaza, there is extreme
deprivation among children caused byincreased by 21%. In Gaza, there is extreme deprivation among children caused 
by displacement, food shortage, lack of medicalsupplies and destroyed infrastructure.Sudan on its part is going through one of the largest child displacement crisis seen in recent times. With 14 million children needing assistance,19 million out of school and also havingapproximately 3.7million severely malnourished,the magnitude of this crisis is alarming.
In Ukraine, situation is not much better with almost two-thirds of children being displaced as well as having huge mental health problems and interrupted learning environments of all kinds. Atleast 29 children were killed, and the facility was seriously damaged when Russia launched a missile strike on Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital during daylight hours. This is one of the worst attacks on Kyiv within more than the two years ofconflict.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Declining Rates of Immunization
Progress on SDG indicators globally is profoundly off track with only about one-third of indicators being on course for attainment in 2030.The implication here is that only 1 in four children will grow up in countries where these goals are met.
Dropping of immunization rates among children has been witnessed globally, further worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic. The ensuing effect has now resulted in reduced immunization levels in 32% of Western European countries.
KidsRights Index 2024 adds a domain on climate change to emphasize that urgent action needs to be taken globally regarding the issue of climate impacts on children. This current global situation demonstrates an urgent need for stronger
international actions against these manifold crises. It is therefore very important for us to act swiftly and decisively so as to save these children from our world who should not be left behind due to conflicts and environmental problems pertinent
today worldwide. Our collective commitment to safeguarding the next generation is what will determine our future global community.
Climate Change
The global heightening menace of climate change implies additional risks for children’s rights. In Afghanistan, recent floods have caused 40 deaths and displaced 1,500 children thereby adding onto already existing economic instability, and food insecurity. Despite a gloomy picture globally, there are countries like Denmark and the UK that are positively changing their climate policies. These measures will yield fruits both in short term as well as long term for the well-being and rights of
children.
SPARC Monthly Highights
Tobacco Control:
Post Budget Briefing Session to discuss the deep concern over the government’s decision to maintain current cigarette tax rates in the federal budget 2024-25 and its negative implications of for public health and revenue generation.
SPARC in collaboration with the Rawalpindi Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA), celebrated World Sports Journalist Day in Islamabad. This event aimed to recognize the vital contributions of sports journalists and highlight the importance of promoting healthier activities among the youth in Pakistan.
BI meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, where we met our partner organizations to reflect on our achievements and plan
our strategic approach for the future of tobacco control in Pakistan.
Women Empowerment:
Rawalpindi team established a Gender Equality Committee and promote gender equality within an organization or community through structured initiatives, policies, and advocacy. The committee serves as a proactive mechanism to address gender disparities, ensure inclusivity, and foster a supportive environment where all individuals have equal opportunities to thrive.
Two districts in Sindh i.e. Umerkot & Hyderabad invited policy makers and government officials to join heads.
Bonded Labor:
In an attempt to provide legal assistance for BK workers, Sindh highlighted 14 such cases including illegal detention.