Child Rights
Birth Registration
Birth registration is one of the most fundamental rights of a child; it is legal proof of a child’s identity. Registration of births is also necessary for a government’s policy-making and planning. Pakistan does not have a universal system of birth registration. The Union Councils, responsible for birth registration, lack capacity, while parents see little or no benefit in registering their children at birth.
Child Labor
Over 12.5 million children in Pakistan are involved in labor (ILO, 2012). The Global Slavery Index ranked Pakistan eighth in child and forced labor despite a global drop. Brick kilns, rag picking, mining, fishing, and quarrying are among the industries in Pakistan where children under 18 labor in dangerous and exploitative conditions. (UNICEF, 2011). Child rights need legislation and implementation.
Violence Against Children
According to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), some of the most pervasive forms of violence against children include physical, psychological, and sexual violence in homes, schools, and places of work. Apart from the types of violence against children mentioned above, Pakistan also has prevalent cases of child marriages, acid attacks, infanticide, and physical punishment to discipline children.
Street Children
According to the United Nations in Pakistan, an estimated 1.2 to 1.5 million children are thought to be on the streets of Pakistan’s major cities. These children are denied fundamental rights such as access to shelter, education, and healthcare, which makes them highly vulnerable. They risk being drawn into abusive situations, including child labor, sexual exploitation, and trafficking.
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