"Government is committed to protect children rights and making serious efforts to bring a legislation in Sindh Assembly for this purpose. Children are our future and their protection and care is surety of our bright future", said Shehla Raza, Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly at an oath taking ceremony of the regional parliament of children elected from their school constituencies on Wednesday.
The ceremony was organised by the Society for Protection of the Rights of the Child (Sparc) at a local hotel. On the occasion, Advisor to Chief Minister Sharmeela Farooqi, Justice Musheer Alam of Sindh High Court, former Additional Inspector General Jails (Sindh) Abdul Maroof were present among others.
The Deputy Speaker said that provision of education, health and other basic facilities to children have been made mandatory in the governments priorities. She appreciated Sparc team for its genuine efforts for educating children and producing learned cadres of children and human rights defenders.
She said that children, through democratic process, would be able to know the real essence of democratic society and in future extend their support in establishing a society free of violence against children. Sharmila Farooqi was of the view that due to injustice in society a large number of children are deprived of their basic rights of education and health.
They are working as bonded labour in different sectors and are found begging on the streets. Among children, she pointed out, life of a girl in Pakistan is the epitome of discrimination and denial of right. She is treated less like a human being. She is sold, bought, and given away to enemies in compensation to settle disputes.
In this regard, government has decided to enact Child Act covering entire ambit of issues relating to children for which necessary formalities have been completed, she disclosed. She informed that government has approved Education Reforms Strategy through which 100 percent target for primary education is expected by 2010 for boys and 2015 for girls.
Regarding child labour, she said, government has commissioned studies and surveys to determine the situation and submit detailed analysis, including recommendations for improving the situation. Justice Musheer administer the oath to elected children and said that through this process of election and discussing issue with children of society, children would be enlighten enough about real barriers and challenges to our society.
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