Pakistan Launches National Strategy to End Violence Against Children

Pakistan has unveiled its inaugural National Strategy to End Violence Against Children, set to be implemented from 2026 to 2031. This comprehensive plan aims to combat child abuse, bolster protection mechanisms, and enhance access to care and justice for millions of at-risk children in the country. The strategy was unveiled by Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights Saba Sadiq during a national consultation, prior to the Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, which is scheduled to take place in Manila in November.

Developed jointly by the Ministry of Human Rights and the World Health Organization (WHO), the strategy seeks to establish a unified national framework to tackle the pervasive issue of violence against children in Pakistan. The document highlights alarming statistics, indicating that as many as eight out of every ten children in Pakistan are subjected to violent discipline.

Furthermore, it reveals that one in every sixteen internet-using children aged 12 to 17 is at risk of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse. The strategy also disclosed that 841,402 children aged 10 to 17 have been married, and countless others continue to be engaged in labor. Vulnerable groups, such as displaced and migrant children, as well as those residing in impoverished communities and informal urban areas, are particularly susceptible to additional risks.

The strategy encompasses a wide range of violence, including physical and sexual abuse, psychological harm, neglect, child marriage, human trafficking, child labor, and online exploitation. Drawing from the internationally recognized INSPIRE framework, the plan emphasizes strengthening legislation, creating secure environments, supporting parents and caregivers, enhancing economic stability, expanding response services, and fostering life skills to safeguard children from violence.