Religious minorities in Pakistan face structural discrimination and social exclusion that adversely affect their access to basic rights and services, including education, health, protection, and participation. Within these marginalized communities, children experience multiple layers of vulnerability due to poverty, social stigma, and institutional neglect.
The situational analysis identifies that minority children—particularly those from Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Kalash communities—often face discrimination in schools, harassment, exclusion from decision-making processes, and limited access to child protection and justice mechanisms. Early marriages, child labor, and forced conversions further exacerbate their vulnerability.
The study also highlights the lack of disaggregated data on minority children, insufficient policy attention, and weak implementation of existing child rights laws. Despite Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees and international commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), gaps persist in translating these into equitable outcomes for minority children.
Key recommendations include strengthening data collection on minority children, integrating inclusivity in education policies, establishing monitoring mechanisms for child rights violations, and enhancing coordination between government institutions, the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC), and minority representatives to ensure effective protection and participation of minority children in all spheres of life.
Here’s the link to the full report: Children From Minority Religions in Pakistan: Situational Analysis 2024.
