Message Of Dr. Nikhat Shakeel, Mna/convenor Parliamentary Caucus On Child Rights (pccr) On World Children’s Day 2024
Islamabad: On World Children’s Day 2024, we reflect on the future of our children, the most valuable asset we have. As a mother, a woman, and the Convenor of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights, I am deeply committed to the well-being of every child in Pakistan and beyond. Today is a reminder of the urgent work needed to ensure every child has access to quality education, healthcare, and protection. Despite progress, far too many children face challenges like child labor, abuse, corporal punishment, and a lack of access to fair juvenile justice systems—issues that rob them of their innocence and potential.
As Convenor of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights, I urge all stakeholders—government, civil society, and individuals—to collectively promote and ensure children’s education, health, and safety. We must address child labor, abuse, and corporal punishment as national emergencies, ensuring no child faces violence or exploitation. Equally important is to ensue the provision of justice through the juvenile justice system that safeguards the rights and dignity of every child. Our children are the future of this nation, and it is our collective responsibility to provide them with a safe, nurturing environment to grow, dream, and thrive.
On this World Children’s Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to securing every child’s right to safety, education, health, and justice as per the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Together, we can create a Pakistan where corporal punishment and child abuse are eliminated, child labor is eradicated, and juvenile justice is a cornerstone of our legal system. Let us protect, nurture, and empower our children, ensuring they have every opportunity to fulfil their potential and build a brighter future for our nation.
