A separate ministry for children

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A separate ministry for children... By Khadim 24 May, 2013 Health, education, healthy nutrition and a suitable living environment are the basic rights of children and the state is responsible for providing these rights to children. Here, we are in a sorry state because Pakistan has not yet been able to address child issues; rather the pain has increased. Pakistan has a population of 180 million people, almost half of which is 18 years of age or below. The children of Pakistan have been given low priority because they are not voters. There are a number of laws and acts such as The Employment of Children Act, 1991, The Bonded Labour Act 1992, Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Bill 2004 and The Sindh Child Protection Authority Act 2011 in the country regarding the protection of child rights but there is little implementation due to which a huge population of children is suffering. Currently, UN reports show that Pakistan's progress is very slow in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Education for All. Despite this, Pakistan has to work hard to fulfil and materialise the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which was signed in 1990 by Pakistan. The development of children in Pakistan is far behind other countries including neighbouring ones. Pakistan is home to more out of school children than almost any other country in the world. The UN estimates that there may be as many as 1.5 million street children in Pakistan. Some 11 million children between the ages of four and fourteen keep the country's factories operating. The Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) has recently started campaigning for a separate ministry for children, which is such a timely demand. Children comprise a major portion of the population and, therefore, it is their right to demand the creation of a ministry to solve all their issues and provide the welfare of children through this child ministry. KHADIM SOOMRO Dadu