According to a news report, President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi on 7 March 2024 announced a special exemption in the punishments of women and child prisoners on humanitarian grounds. The remission would be applicable to women and children sentenced for two years or less and to those with less than two years of sentence left to complete, a news release from the President’s Office said. The reduction in sentence would not apply to
Child Rights in Focus
Child brides make up half of the women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who suffer from psychological and physical health issues, according to expert Dr Lubna Safeer. Such women are provided counselling and healthcare in two districts of Hazara Division, but these services should be extended to other areas as well, Dr Lubna of the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Project told Dawn here. She said the project was initiated by the government in Mansehra, Malakand,
According to a news report, the education ministry has finally shown interest in formulating a new education policy after years long delay. At present, the country is following an education policy framed back in 2009. ‘The first meeting of the National Advisory Committee to formulate the National Education Policy 2024 for Pakistan was held on 6 March 2024,’ said Special Secretary Education Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani. Speaking to Dawn, Mr Wani, who presided over the
The education department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has removed a primary schoolteacher for assaulting one of his students, official sources said here on 3rd March 2024. A letter issued from the office of district education officer (male) Mukhtar Ahmed Khan on 2nd March, Sohail Akhtar, senior primary schoolteacher, posted to government primary school No 1, Kotnajibullah, and later transferred to government primary school, Gulu Bandi,on a complaint, was suspended from service on March 18, 2023,
Human trafficking in Pakistan is a severe and multifaceted problem that has affected countless individuals, particularly women and girls, coerced into exploitative labour or sexual servitude under the false pretences of better opportunities. The issue presents a dire humanitarian crisis, as it inflicts immeasurable suffering upon its victims and greatly impacts society as a whole. Poverty, lack of education and social and cultural norms that perpetuate gender inequality are some of the key drivers
LAST month, the Senate approved the `Islamabad Capital Territory Protection of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Bill, 2023` that aims to discourage the use of breast milk substitutes. Back in November, there had been heated speeches on the floor of the Upper House regarding the import and sale of breast milk substitutes in the country. A debate that should have stayed on course regarding the quality and standards of formula milk, health concerns and the
A new official report by Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE) released on 1st March 2024, Pakistan’s National Achievement Test (NAT) highlighted the low proficiency of students in grades 4 and 8 in mathematics and science subjects. The report pointed out the low proficiency of students in mathematics and sciences, the report recommended reforms to improve the learning levels of students. According to a press release issued by PIE, despite widespread satisfaction among parents and
A minor maid died of alleged torture committed by her landlord in the area of Luksian Police Station reported by daily Dawn. According to the details, Ayesha (12) was working as a domestic help for the last two months with Jawwad Bhatti, the contractor of the Sial Mor Toll Plaza. According to the first information report (FIR) registered on the complaint of the victim`s father, Tahir, a resident of Chak 84, Ayesha had not
The MoFEPT has taken impactful initiatives that allow access to learning materials for all children from any location. We know the world today has entered a new technological era, bringing with it a social, political and economic interdependence. And because today’s world is far more complex than yesteryear’s, it requires innovative education systems to meet its emerging needs. The global crises of climate change, food security, pandemics, natural disasters and conflicts now require our
“A Guide Book for Parents: To Keep Children Safe from Online Risks” is a comprehensive guide developed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) in collaboration with UNICEF and Telenor. It aims to equip parents and caregivers with the knowledge and tools to ensure the safety and well-being of children in the digital age. The guide emphasizes the importance of understanding the online risks that children face and provides practical advice on how to keep children
“The Legend of Arya” is part of powerful and creative web series on Child Domestic Labour developed by Group Development Pakistan in collaboration with Ministry of Law & Justice Pakistan, National Commission for Human Rights Pakistan and the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights.
ISLAMABAD: The data compiled by Sahil shows that 11 children were abused every day in 2023, with mostly acquaintances and relatives involved in the heinous act. The statistics were reported in ‘Cruel Numbers 2023,’ a signature publication of Sahil, an NGO working for the welfare of children, launched on 29 Feb 2024 with the support of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR). The report said that in 2023, a total number of 4,213