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Pakistan is on the brink of reaching 50 polio cases this year, a stark contrast to just one case in 2021. After a brief hope with six cases in 2023, the surge to over 40 cases highlights critical gaps in immunization coverage, public cooperation, and community trust. The government’s National Emergency Action Plan is a step forward, focusing on mobile and migrant populations, especially near the Afghan border, but grassroots community engagement is essential.
Lahore police rescued six young boys from a suspected child abuse case involving a man accused of recording obscene videos of them, believed to be part of a larger ring. This incident highlights a troubling trend, over 11 children are abused daily in 2023, primarily by relatives or acquaintances. While 53% of victims are girls, a significant number of boys aged six to 15 are also affected, with toddlers not spared from abuse.
The data reveals that Punjab, housing about half of Pakistan's population, accounts for three-quarters of abuse cases, while Islamabad's numbers surpass those of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, AJK, and GB combined, likely due to underreporting influenced by sociocultural factors.
In a significant operation, the Lahore Organized Crime Unit successfully dismantled a child smuggling ring that trafficked vulnerable children from Punjab to Azad Kashmir. The operation rescued 29 children and resulted in the arrest of ringleader Imran alias Kan Pata and two accomplices. The suspects had targeted homeless and runaway children, offering false employment promises before subjecting them to severe human rights violations. The rescued children are now under protective care, and investigations are ongoing to gather more evidence against the perpetrators. DIG Kishwar emphasized the unit's commitment to combating such crimes and ensuring public safety.
In Pakistan, violence against children is a critical issue, manifesting as physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, often inflicted by trusted individuals. This environment of abuse undermines children's well-being and hampers their long-term development, perpetuated by cultural norms that discourage reporting. The consequences are severe, leading to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and affecting future relationships and opportunities. Additionally, societal tolerance of violence creates broader economic and social challenges. To address this crisis, comprehensive measures are needed, including awareness campaigns, strengthened law enforcement, and accessible mental health services, to ensure children's protection and promote a healthier, more prosperous future.
The prevalence of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders is sharply increasing worldwide, with statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicating that the rate has risen from 6.7 in 1,000 children in 2000 to 27.6 in 1,000 children in 2020, equating to 1 in 36 children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In Pakistan, genetic factors linked to cousin marriages exacerbate this issue, raising concerns about inherited disorders. 
In a recent address to the National Assembly, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar highlighted alarming statistics from the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2023-24, revealing that 24,398 women and girls, accounting for 70.6% of the total 34,533 trafficking victims, suffer primarily from sexual exploitation. Despite human trafficking affecting all genders, women and girls are disproportionately vulnerable due to factors like gender inequality and poverty. The minister affirmed the government's commitment to combat trafficking through existing laws and awareness campaigns, emphasizing the role of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Apex Committee in addressing this pressing issue. A comprehensive awareness campaign is set to be launched to further tackle the vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Tiktok, alleging violations of the state's new child safety law, the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act (SCOPE). Paxton claims Tiktok mishandles minors' personal data, inadequately verifies parental identities, and gives children excessive control over parental supervision settings.
Conditions for children and disabled individuals in Gaza are deteriorating amid ongoing conflict, with many dying while awaiting emergency medical evacuations. The requests for evacuations are frequently denied by Israeli authorities without explanation, leading to a staggering decline in the number of children receiving urgent medical care from an average of 296 evacuations per month earlier this year to just 22 in recent months. The Israeli military's operations are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, with widespread bombing, forced displacements, and inadequate access to medical services. Rights experts emphasize that children and disabled persons face dire threats, compounded by a lack of humanitarian support and a disregard for their basic rights, urging for immediate international action to address the escalating crisis.
As conflict escalates in Lebanon, over 400,000 displaced children face severe health risks, including scabies and cholera, due to overcrowded living conditions in collective shelters lacking basic sanitation and clean water. Many families are crammed into inadequate facilities where essential health care is strained and vaccination coverage has plummeted. With winter approaching, children are exposed to harsh conditions, increasing their vulnerability to respiratory infections and other diseases. Immediate action is needed from the international community to address this humanitarian crisis and protect these vulnerable children from further harm.
Professor Peter Scott, President and CEO of COL, visited SPARC Golra center Islamabad. ED SPARC Asiya Arif, Board Member Khalida Ahmed, and Project Manager Sabeen Almas highlighted SPARC’s work under the Empowering Women and Girls project. Project Manager Sabeen Almas discussed ongoing activities under the COL project to empower women and girls in underprivileged communities.
Professor Scott visited open school programs and skill development classes, showcasing learning resources for women and girls. He interacted with project beneficiaries and community members, who shared their experiences and the impact of the center on their skill development and confidence.
On October 18, 2024, SPARC organized a seminar titled "Sustainable Tobacco Control Policies: A Way to Healthier Pakistan". Discussions covered policy reforms, increased tobacco taxes, and regulating emerging nicotine products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. Participants committed to addressing the issue at governmental and grassroots levels.
On October 20, 2024, Dr. Khalil Ahmad, Project Manager at SPARC, spoke at the Human Development Foundation about the harmful effects of tobacco and emerging products like nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products on the people of Pakistan. He highlighted the deceptive tactics used by the tobacco industry to target the younger population, falsely portraying these products as less harmful. Dr. Khalil emphasized the urgent need for stronger regulations and collective action to protect youth from falling victim to these dangerous substances.
On October 18, 2024, speaking on Voice of America, Dr. Khalil Ahmad, Project Manager at SPARC, addressed critical child rights issues, focusing on the pressing need to safeguard children's education in Pakistan. He shed light on the frequent closures of schools and colleges, warning of their devastating impact on the educational system and the progress of our children. Dr. Khalil emphasized that the state, authorities, and society must prioritize child rights and collaborate to create a stable, supportive environment where every child has the opportunity to receive a quality education. He also called on society to play its part in this collective responsibility.
On October 14, 2024, the SPARC Multan Team collaborated with Principal Ma'am Azra to celebrate International Day of the Girl Child. Key activities included a nutrition workshop on healthy food and fruits, a TV show on good touch and bad touch awareness, student presentations on the benefits of fruits, and fruit distribution to address nutrition gaps. A total of 45 girls celebrated this day with the SPARC team.
On October 2, 2024, the SPARC Multan team held a productive meeting with officials from Radio Pakistan, including Station Director Sohail Sarwer Ilahi. As partners in our civil society platform, Radio Pakistan's efforts significantly contribute to empowering women and fostering positive change in our community through their broadcasts.
On October 22, 2024, the SPARC Multan team registered two cases at the Dastageer Legal Aid Center. In the first case, a woman sought assistance to divorce her husband due to his physical abuse and drug addiction. He had become unemployed and irresponsible, while her mother-in-law subjected her to verbal harassment and eventually evicted her from their home.
On October 23, 2024, training sessions were held with kiln bricks worker women and girls on human rights, gender equality, empowerment, available legislation, and sexual and reproductive health (SRH).
On October 17, 2024, a training session was held with women and girls on climate issues and their negative impact on their lives.
A training session was conducted with women and girls on Women Political Participation. The purpose of the session is to promote women's political participation, aligning with the principles of gender equality and human rights. This ensures equal opportunities for women to engage in political processes and decision-making, and the full representation of women strengthens democratic processes.
The meeting aimed to identify men and boys’ clubs that allow women to collaborate with male allies who can amplify their voices and advocate for gender equality and social justice. The SPARC team emphasized that when properly engaged, these clubs can serve as platforms for educating their members about gender equality, women's rights, and issues affecting women and girls. This education can lead to increased awareness, empathy, and support for women's agency in social change efforts.
On October 12, the EWG project successfully conducted a training session for 20 women farmers in Chakwal, titled "Enhancing Productivity and Food Security through Wheat and Canola Intercropping." The main objective of the training was to promote sustainable agriculture among women farmers in Pakistan. The session took place at PODA's sustainable agriculture and climate-smart education center.
SPARC Islamabad, in collaboration with PODA, conducted a one-day training session for girls and women on kitchen gardening. More than 35 participants learned about the fundamentals of kitchen gardening, aiming to support women and girls in starting their organic journey.
SPARC Islamabad and Rawalpindi teams participated in the 17th Annual Rural Women Leadership Training Conference organized by PODA Organization in collaboration with SPARC and other organizations. Approximately 2,000 participants from 130 districts, representing 150 community-based organizations, attended the event. Key issues addressed included alarming rates of gender-based violence, as well as online and workplace sexual harassment. SPARC also showcased a stall of handicrafts at the PODA conference, featuring handmade martial arts crafted by trainees from the SPARC skill center. SPARC's Executive Director, Asiya Arif, and Project Manager, Sabeen Almas, highlighted their efforts under the project "Empowering Women and Girls."
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islamabad@sparcpk.org
Address
House # 98, Street # 05,
MPCHS, E-11/1, Islamabad
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051-2163011, 2163012
islamabad@sparcpk.org
House # 98, Street # 05,
MPCHS, E-11/1, Islamabad