Islamabad: Every child deserves to grow up safe, happy and hopeful, said Unicef Representative in Pakistan Pernille Ironside on November 20.
“Too many children still wake up without nutritious food, a sense of safety or opportunities to learn and that is not the world they asked for. We must do better and we will, with children’s voices guiding our actions,” she told a function organised by the National Commission on the Rights of Child here to mark World Children’s Day 2025.
Human rights minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, state minister for law and justice Barrister Aqeel Malik and chairperson of the NCRC Ayesha Raza Farooq were also in attendance. Minister Tarar said Pakistan was committed to ensuring that every child grows up safe, healthy, educated and protected from all forms of harm.
“The World Children’s Day reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of every child, with government, institutions, civil society, communities and families all playing a role,” he said.
The minister noted that Pakistan’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child demonstrated the country’s commitment to safeguarding children without discrimination, and highlighted the progress made in strengthening systems that supported and protected them.
“These efforts reflect our national commitment to keeping children at the center of decision-making and social development,” he said. The minister acknowledged ongoing challenges, including barriers to education, health, nutrition, protection and legal identity.
He said sustained political will, strong institutional collaboration and active involvement of parents and communities were required to address those challenges. “Pakistan stands with the international community in observing World Children’s Day and remains determined to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has equal access to opportunity, protection and development,” he said.
Minister Malik highlighted the government’s commitment to protecting the rights of every child. He noted key progress, including strengthened birth registration systems, operational District Child Protection Units, deployment of the national Child Protection Information Management System, a 24/7 helpline, advancement of child protection policies, completion of national and provincial child labour surveys and measures on child marriage legislation.
NCRC Chairperson Ayesha Raza Farooq said the World Children’s Day was a reminder that every child in Pakistan deserves to grow up with dignity, opportunity and protection. He said the NCRC’s mission was to ensure that children’s voices shape the policies and decisions that affect them.
“I am especially proud of our Child Advisory Panel, which brings forward the lived realities and ideas of children from every background. Today, as we celebrate their leadership and resilience, I urge all institutions, communities and families to place children at the centre of our national priorities. When we listen to children, we move closer to building a Pakistan where every child can dream freely and safely,” she said.
The event highlighted the importance of placing children at the centre of national priorities and reaffirmed the collective responsibility of government, institutions, civil society, communities and families to ensure that every child in Pakistan can grow, learn and thrive in a safe, supportive and empowering environment.
Published in The NEWS on November 21, 2025.
