ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to launch its first-ever national HPV vaccination campaign from September 15 to 27. This historic initiative aims to prevent cervical cancer—the second most common cancer among women in the country. The campaign will target around 13 million girls, aged 9 to 14, across Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. A single-dose vaccine will be administered, which provides lifelong protection. The DOPASI Foundation, in partnership with FDI and with
Child Rights in Focus
LAHORE: Public and private schools across Punjab are set to reopen on Monday (1st Sep), following the annual summer vacation. However, in areas affected by flooding or where schools are being used as relief camps, local authorities may delay reopening to ensure safety. Following the recent notification from the School Education Department (SED) Punjab, Deputy Commissioners across the province have been authorised to announce school closures in areas affected by flooding. Acting on this
Policymakers in Pakistan appear to be in a deep slumber, unmoved by one of the most pressing human rights crises festering within the country. A new study launched last week by the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), titled ‘Unveiling Exploitation and Abuse in the Brick Kilns of Punjab’, lays bare the harrowing reality of bonded labour. It details how thousands of workers, including entire families, remain trapped in modern-day slavery. Yet the state’s
LAKKI MARWAT: The building of a government girls primary school was blown up with explosives in the Wanda Zahidgul area of Lakki Marwat district on the night of August 30. A police official said that the school was located in the trans-river belt in the limits of Dadiwala police station. He said that the explosive device planted by terrorists went off with a big bang, partially damaging the building. “No casualties occurred as a
PESHAWAR: Heart specialists at the public-sector Peshawar Institute of Cardiology have saved the lives of 14 children, including two Afghans, through the first-ever modern Fontan and Rastelli surgeries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Riffat Anjum, spokesperson for the PIC, told Dawn that the complex lifesaving Fontan and Rastelli surgeries were performed in collaboration with the Pakistan Children’s Heart Foundation and a team of paediatric surgeons from Vietnam. “The surgeries were carried out during a five-day specialised
While students and staff suffer, officials say Rs100m plan drawn up for reconstruction KARACHI: More than a week after a fireworks warehouse explosion on MA Jinnah Road, repair and restoration work at the adjoining Government Girls Secondary School Jacob Lines No 1 has yet to begin, leaving over 1,000 students deprived of classes. Teachers and staff, who continue to report daily, say academic activities remain suspended as they struggle with cleaning and minor repairs
KARACHI: A man was arrested for allegedly raping his 18-year-old niece after drugging her and six other family members, including children, by serving them a sedative-laced drink at a family gathering on Friday night. According to police, the incident took place after the suspect, identified as Amir Shaikh, visited his sister’s home and offered the family drinks and sweets, which rendered them unconscious. The family members were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, where
Percentage of Sindh children in child labour 5-17 years by occupation (%) Characteristics Service & sales workers Skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers Craft and related trades workers Plant and machine operators Elementary occupations Other Occupations Total Both sexes 5-17 YR 8.8 18.7 14.6 2.1 54.9 0.9 Boys 12.1 20.1 11.7 2.8 52.4 1 Girls 1.3 15.4 21.4 0.3 60.7 0.8 Source: Sindh Child Labour Survey 2022 – 2024
Percentage of Sindh Children in Child Labour 5-17 years by Industry(%) Characteristics Agriculture, forestry, and fishing Manufacturing Wholesale and retail trade Water Collection Construction Accommodation and food service activities Activities of households as employees Other Industries Age Both sexes 5-17 YR 55.1 12.4 10.8 7 5.5 2.3 1.8 5.2 Boys 54.9 8.2 14.8 3.5 7.7 3.1 1.2 6.5 Girls 55.5 22.3 1.4 15.1 0.1 0.4 3.1 2 Source: Sindh Child Labour Survey 2022
Prevalence of Child Labour in Gilgit Baltistan by Age and Gender (%) Age (YR) Number Total % Boys Girls Total (5-17) 50,761 13.1 26,891 13.60% 23,870 12.50% 5-9 7,029 4.2 3,753 4.30% 3,276 4.10% 10-13 20,024 16.4 10,231 17.20% 9,793 15.70% 14-17 23,708 23.7 12,907 25.10% 10,801 22.30% Source: Gilgil Baltistan Child Labour Survey 2018-2019
Number & Percentage of ICT children in Child Labour 5-17 years by Industry Characteristics Wholesale and retail trade (%) Activities of households as employees % Manufacturing(%) Water Supply (%) Education % Accommodation and food service activities (%) Agriculture, forestry and fishing (%) Construction(%) Other industries (%) Total number of children in child labour Both sexes Total 41.9 15.1 10 7.3 4 8.4 3.4 4.6 5.3 13,966 5-11 YR 28.5 17.9 0 50.1 0
Number & Percentage of Children in Child Labour 5-17 years by Occupation Characteristics Elementary occupations(%) Service & sales workers (%) Craft and related trades workers (%) Professionals (%) Other Occupations(%) Total Number of children Both sexes Total 32.2 26.5 31.4 3.9 5.9 13,980 5-11 YR 77.5 8.4 14.1 0 0 1,639 12-13 YR 33.6 24.3 41.6 0 0.5 2,457 14-17 YR 24.4 30.1 31.8 5.5 8.2 9,883 Boys Total 28.1 28.9 35.7 0.3