Elimination of child labour is among the top priorities of the government with major emphasis on providing all necessary support to kids forced into economic activities beyond their capacities.
Nilofer Bakhtiar, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education was talking to journalists here on Saturday, which also coincided with World Labour Day. She mentioned that child labour elimination strategy holds particular reference for those engaged as domestic support.
In a press conference at Pakistan Muslim League House, she said that the country also observing 2004 as "International Child Year" is keen for the uplift of children, particularly those pertaining to lower segments of the society.
According to her it is in this context that some 30 schools for child labour are being established with the support International Labour Organisation (ILO) this year only in addition to the 36 already functioning under the Ministry of Social Welfare.
She mentioned that Prime Minister has constituted a committee comprising Social Welfare, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Health and Education ministries respectively to adopt a compact and comprehensive approach towards quality and dignified existence of all children.
Elaborating the same, she mentioned that some 78 different legal provisions are being deliberated upon which could help ensure appropriate implementation of child welfare programme across the country.
Adviser to the Prime Minister said that while Law and Parliamentary Affairs has been embarked upon a scheme for a "Juvenile Law System," as already announced by President Pervez Musharraf and which the ministry is looking into, the Health Ministry has been entrusted the task to combat infant and child mortality rates.
As for Labour Ministry was concerned, she said that it too is in process to contain child labour adding that since all these issues are closely linked to "Poverty" - Ministry of Social Welfare in close co-ordination with all ministries is attempting to create public awareness and seeking co-ordinated efforts to alleviate poverty.
Nilofer Bakhtiar in this regard also appealed to PML workers as well as masses to realise that poverty eradication, socio-economic uplift, improved literacy rates are major issues and funds are required to address these.
Nilofer Bakhtiar also discussed in detail the measures being adopted for uplift of disabled people and particularly referred to a bill to be presented before the Parliament for a minimum and compulsory two percent job quota for impaired population in both private and public sector.
She agreed that the existent one percent job quota condition is not being implemented as there is no stringent legislative mechanism to enforce the same.
It was reminded that the country's first ever National Policy for Disabled was announced in 2002 as per directives of the President Pervez Musharraf.
With regard to facilities for special children and those who may be impaired, Nilofer Bakhtiar mentioned the steps being taken for ensuring quality education and vocational training along with appropriate recreational activities for such kids.
A pilot programme initiated in Islamabad was also mentioned with facilities of library and park while special swimming pool was to be built.
The Adviser reminded that all provincial capitals have already been declared "Disabled Friendly Cities" and under the same it is required that all under completion projects and those being envisaged may hold necessary provision for facilities for the disabled people.
She reminded that all major government buildings in Islamabad including President House, Prime Minister House, Parliament and so forth have relevant facilities as ramp, elevators, separate and special lavatories and special parking space for the very segment of the local population.
WOMEN DEVELOPMENT: With regard to Women Development Programmes initiated or in process of being introduced in the country, she said that the federal women development department in close co-ordination with provincial governments is about to launch a "Hunarmand Aurat Project" aimed towards economic of women.
According to her under the very project Business Resource Centers for Women will be established in Islamabad and all four provincial capitals - where women running small businesses or intending to start the same will be assisted in procuring loans without unnecessary complexities.
Giving further detail, she said that there would be display centres at all five Hunarmand Centres besides provision for quality control, product marketing and product designing. According to her, this would be a part of the programme to ensure that the products prepared by women are put for sale at all five display centres under an inter-provincial exchange arrangement but may also be exported.
Regarding social of women, she said that Complaint Centres for Women Victims of Violence has already been put into operation, while Crisis Centre along with Shelter Home for victims in general and destitute women in particular are in process of being established.
Nilofer Bakhtiar also announced early commencement of a Helpline Service for Women exposed to any form of Violence. She said that all these projects are community-oriented and the government would appreciate involvement of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and volunteers working for the cause.
She reminded that at the moment no budgetary allocations could be materialised for the scheme and assistance, adding that the funding may be sought from local philanthropists.
She also reiterated the government's commitment to eliminate the tradition of Honour Killings and mentioned a new legislation about to be presented before the Parliament. It was mentioned that the bill is presently before the Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs which is in process to make the cited law foolproof - leaving no lacunae for the culprits.
The Adviser reminded the frequent meeting attended by all women parliamentarians who pulling themselves above their respective political affiliations pledged to support the law in the House.
She also thanked the Sindh Chief Minister for his support in presentation of a bill in the Sindh Assembly in near future against the practice of Karo Kari and also for creation of an environment where women could be protected against it.
The adviser appealed to the media for its contribution in changing the public mind set.
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