Welfare: Poverty and Child Protection

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High-Level Meeting on Cooperation for Child Rights in the Asia Pacific Region
4-6 November 2010, Beijing

|Reforming the Child Protection and Welfare Systems in Pakistan |
|Opportunities and challenges in advancing child rights |

Prepared By:

Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary 4

2. Introduction 5

3. Situation overview 6

4. Challenges and opportunities 12

5. Evidence 14

6. Key issues 14

7. Recommendations and Follow up 15

List of Acronyms

CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
CMR Child Mortality Rate
CSEC Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
EFA Education for All
EPI Extended Program for Immunization
ESR Education Sector Reforms
GoP Government of Pakistan
GMIS Gender Management Information System
GRAP Gender Reform Action Plan
HSR Health Sector Reform
ILO International Labor Organization
INGOs International Non Governmental Organizations
MDGs Millennium Development Goals
MoH Ministry of Health
PBM Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal
PIHS Pakistan Integrated Household Survey
UNCRC United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
UNHCR United Nations High Commission for Refugees
UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Executive Summary

In order to enhance children’s access to education, health facilities and to protect them from abuse, neglect, discrimination, violence and exploitation, the Government of Pakistan has undertaken various policies, legislative, administrative and programmatic measures. Pakistan ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 12 November 1990. Pakistan is also a party to three other international instruments aiming at directly or indirectly improving the rights of the child. The Government of Pakistan is fully committed to incorporate the provisions of the UN CRC into its domestic laws. There have been a number of very important developments on this front during the last few years. In order to bring the legal system in conformity with the Convention, a number of policies and laws have been adopted. Most important policies and Plans of Action include National Policy and Plan of Action for Children, National Policy and Plan of Action Against Commercial, Sexual Exploitation of Children, National Plan of Action for Elimination of Child Labor, National Policy and Plan of Action for Elimination of Bonded Labor, National Policy on Development and Empowerment of Women.

In the last few years, Pakistan has witnessed a momentum regarding introduction of laws for protection of children as various bills came under consideration. Some of the laws have made it to the statute book while some are at different levels of legislative process. The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education provides an enabling environment and tangible opportunities, through policies, programs and projects that would contribute in poverty alleviation and promotion of social progress and social justice in the country while addressing the needs of downtrodden, marginalized and vulnerable segments of the society. Similar ministries have been set up at the provincial levels.

Major challenges towards improving situation of children in the country include; eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, strengthening services for children and effective implementation of child related laws including Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, besides lack of coordination and communication among various stakeholders at federal, provincial and local levels, lack of human and financial resources and non availability of data on child protection issues as well as a limited number of quality social services for children and families socially excluded that are equitable, accessible and affordable. There is lack of trained professionals in the fields relating to children and child rights e.g. child protection, child participation etc. The need for capacity development and provision of adequate financial resources to the relevant ministries and departments at federal, provincial and district levels of the government cannot be over-emphasised as a means to achieve the overarching objective of child protection. Due to different challenges, including security threats to the country, resource allocation to children have been low. Coordination between different stakeholders and government institutions have long been a challenge.
To improve the situation of children in Pakistan, institutional structure needs to be improved. An effective coordination mechanism is required to be put in place. Capacity of the stakeholders working with/for the children needs to be built. Adequate resources are required to be allocated.

1. Introduction

Pakistan is sixth most populous country in the world having population of about 170.00 million with the annual growth rate of 1.87 percent. Of this, approximately 70 million are children, i.e. below 18. Children in Pakistan face a variety of serious challenges ranging from malnutrition, poor access to education, health facilities and exploitation in the form of child labour. Vulnerable children may easily become victims of the violence, abuse and exploitation.

In order to enhance children’s access to education, health facilities and to protect them from abuse, neglect, discrimination, violence and exploitation, the Government of Pakistan has undertaken various policies, legislative, administrative and programmatic measures. National Education Policy 2009 provides broad implementation framework and National Plan of Action for Education for All aims at achieving universal primary education by 2015. Gender disparities are being narrowed through mixed primary schools, compensatory programs, and appointment of female teachers. Early childhood education programme has been initiated to address the issues concerning childhood development.

In Pakistan, investments in the Health sector are viewed as an integral part of the government’s poverty alleviation endeavor. Various programmes have been initiated like Expanded Programme on Immunization, AIDS Control Programme, National Program for Malaria Control, National T.B. Control Programme, National Programme for Prevention and Control of Blindness, National Programme for Family Planning & Primary Health Care, Nutrition activities and Programs, Primary Health Care, School Nutrition Program, Food Quality Control System and Food Support Program.

The Government of Pakistan has undertaken various measures to provide a protective environment to children which include drafting of the National Child Protection Policy, Criminal Law Amendment Bill, National Commission on the Rights of Children Bill, the Charter of Child Rights Bill and implementation of the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance, Employment Children Act, National Plan of Action for Children, establishment of Children’s Complaint Office at the office of the Federal and Provincial Ombudsman, Child Protection and Welfare Bureau and Child Protection Centres.

Collaboration in health, education, protection and participation can faster progress on child rights and towards internationally agreed development goals. Such collaboration is required among national and international stakeholders, communities, local governments and individual citizens. The Government is willing to work with donors, non-governmental organizations, religious leaders, teachers, health providers, social workers and parliamentarians to address the issues of child rights and protection.

2. Situation overview

Pakistan is a developing country and like many other developing countries, is facing challenges related to child survival, development, protection and participation attributed with widespread poverty, high population growth, traditional family set up, low literacy rate, low social sector development, unemployment, gender discrimination and lack of access to development opportunities. Similarly, we are facing the problem of extremism and terrorist activities since Pakistan is a front line state in war against terrorism due to which large fragment of population is internally displaced with a great loss of precious human lives and a damage to basic services delivery infrastructure. However, Pakistan is committed to improving the situation of child rights in the country.

Constitutional Provisions
Article 25(1) of the constitution enshrines the foundational concept of legal equality of citizens and holds that “all citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law”. Article 25(3) of the constitution recognises the special right of protection for children due to their vulnerability and states “nothing in this article shall prevent the state from making special provision for the protection of women and children”. Further, Article 37(e) stipulates in relevant parts that the state shall “make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work, ensuring that children and women are not employed in vocations unsuited to their age or sex.…” Article 25A, introduced recently in the Constitution through the 18th Amendment, has made free and compulsory education a basic human right.

International Covenants

Pakistan ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 12 November 1990. Pakistan is also a party to three other international instruments aiming at directly or indirectly improving the rights of the child: the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), ratified in 1996, the Declaration and Agenda for Action adopted at the issue of the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, signed in 1996, and reaffirmed by the Yokohama Global Commitment in 2001, and the Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Form of Child Labour Convention (C182), ratified in 2001 The Optional Protocols to the CRC have been signed and their ratification is in process. Other International and Regional Instruments on Child Rights include: • SAARC Convention on Regional Arrangements for the Promotion of Child Welfare in South Asia 2001 • SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution, 2002 • Millennium Development Goals, 2000 • ILO Convention on Worst Forms of Child Labor (No. 182) in 2001 • ILO Convention 138 on Minimum Age for Employment in 2006.

National Laws and Policies
The Government of Pakistan is fully committed to incorporate the provisions of the UN CRC into its domestic laws. There have been a number of very important developments on this front during the last few years. In order to bring the legal system in conformity with the Convention, a number of policies and laws have been adopted. Most important policies and Plans of Action include: 1. National Policy and Plan of Action for Children 2. National Policy and Plan of Action Against Commercial, Sexual Exploitation of Children 3. National Plan of Action for Elimination of Child Labor 4. National Policy and Plan of Action for Elimination of Bonded Labor 5. National Policy on Development and Empowerment of Women
Following is a brief description of National Plan of Action for Children and National Child Protection Policy.

National Plan of Action for Children

Pakistan has a comprehensive National Plan of Action for Children which provide concrete measures for the survival, development and protection of children from all forms of neglect, abuse, and exploitation. The goals and targets as set forth by the UN Special Session outcome document “A World Fit for Children” are clearly reflected in the NPA. A distinct sub section of the NPA deals with protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

The National Plan of Action for Children was developed through a participatory process, involving all stakeholders, including children. The Federal Cabinet officially adopted the document on 24th May 2006. The main strategic thrust of the NPA are: political commitment, raising awareness, capacity building, advocacy, networking, social mobilization, enhanced allocation of resources, and setting up and strengthening functional structures and systems.

National Child Protection Policy

A comprehensive National Child Protection Policy has been prepared with the support of UNICEF in consultation with all relevant stakeholders i.e Provincial Governments, relevant Federal Ministries, Government of AJK, Northern Areas and Civil Society Organizations.

The Policy provides for adopting legislative and regulatory measures to protect children from abuse and exploitation; enhancing administrative and institutional capacities at national, provincial and district level to effectively address the issues of protection and welfare of children; create awareness through increased dissemination of information to the public on child protection through media; protection of children at local and community level by setting up child protection system; encouraging children’s participation in the process and decisions affecting them; prevention of children from violence at homes, schools, workplaces and institutions; ensure child protection in emergencies like earthquake, floods and armed conflict, etc; encourage birth registration at all levels; provision of child protection services like counselling, psychosocial services, legal assistance; establishing day care centres; publicizing help lines; educational and vocational services; justice for children in conflict with the law and establishing child protection fund for protection of children living in poverty, exploited, abused or being victims of other type of violence.

Laws

In the last few years, Pakistan has witnessed a momentum regarding introduction of laws for protection of children as various bills came under consideration. Some of the laws have made it to the statute book while some are at different levels of legislative process. Following is a brief description of some of the most important laws.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2009

The Criminal Law Amendment Bill was prepared through consultations with relevant stakeholders, including child rights organizations. The Bill proposes insertion of new sections in the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) i. e. 292A, 292B, 292C, 328A, 369A, 377A and 377B to criminalize the exposing of children to sexually explicit material, the child pornography, cruelty to children, human trafficking within Pakistan and sexual abuse. Necessary amendments are also proposed in the Schedule II of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The relevant material in connection with the draft Bill has been transmitted to the Ministry of Interior for further necessary action on the advice of the Law and Justice Division.

The National Commission on the Rights of Children Bill, 2009

In order to supervise, coordinate and effectively monitor implementation of the UNCRC and report progress to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, “The National Commission on the Rights of Children Bill, 2009” has been drafted. The Bill provides for establishment of a National Commission on the Rights of Children for effective supervision and monitoring of children’s rights related matters at national level; establishment of a “Child Rights Fund”, to be utilized for promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of children and payment of compensation, fines or damages on behalf of a child in accordance with the orders of the Court; undertaking research by the Commission where there are issues of public policy which impact or could potentially impact on children’s rights; and empowers the Commission for granting licences for the establishment of children homes for children at risk.

The Charter of Child Rights Bill, 2009

The Charter of Child Rights Bill, 2009 was submitted as a Private Member Bill in the National Assembly. The Bill has been supported by the Government. Once passed by the Parliament, it will have a significant impact on the rights of children because for the first time a domestic law will enunciate the entire range of children’s right espoused by the teachings of Islam and guaranteed under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Constitution of Pakistan.

This Bill provides for the establishment of National Commission on the Rights of Children. The implementation and monitoring of the Charter of Child Rights Act will be in the functions of the Commission. The Bill is currently being reviewed by a select Committee of the National Assembly.

The Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill, 2010

The Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Bill, 2010 was submitted in the National Assembly as a private Member Bill. The Bill has been supported by the Government. This proposes Bill aims to ban corporal punishment in educational institutions and other care institutions. The definition of corporal punishment has been adopted from General Comment 8 and other international instruments dealing with torture, inhuman and degrading treatment etc. It provides for the redressal of complaints of corporal punishment at departmental level and penalties to punish the perpetrators. It also takes away the protection of Section 89 of the PPC. Besides Pakistan has Children’s Complaint Offices under Ombudsman. These are the right complaint mechanisms to address and redress the malfunctioning of the public administration such as schools, residential institutions, public services.

Other laws enacted at the federal level include:

• The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2004 has been enacted. • Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance, 2006 has been enacted. • Protection of Women (Criminal Laws Amendment) Act, 2006 has been enacted. • Protection against Harassment at Workplace, Bill, 2009 has been enacted.

Efforts at the federal level are mirrored by similar efforts at the level of provinces as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). • The Punjab Government has already put in place a child protection mechanism through the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act, 2004. This law is being further reviewed to make it fully compliant with the international standards.

• Sindh Government is setting up a Child Protection Authority for the province through Sindh Child Protection Authority Bill, 2009. The bill has been duly vetted by the Law Department and being moved to the provincial assembly for its promulgation.

• The KPK Government is considering to set up a Provincial Commission for the Welfare and Protection of Children under the Child Welfare and Protection Act, 2010 which has been recently approved by the Provincial Assembly. , • Balochistan Government has drafted a provincial child protection policy in line with the National Child Protection Policy. The draft policy is with the Law Department for approval. It will be sent to the Provincial Cabinet soon.

• The AJK Government is considering setting up a comprehensive child protection system through, the AJK Child Protection Authority Bill, 2009.

Effective implementation of laws and policies requires availability of accurate and reliable data. For the purpose, government has taken steps for establishment of an effective Child Protection Monitoring and Data Collection System. An assessment of the child protection monitoring and data collection system has been made in the country, with the technical assistance of UNICEF.

A set of Operational Guidelines are outlined to facilitate the development of a Child Protection Monitoring and Reporting System. These guidelines demonstrate specific operational linkages that would need to be developed with various information sources. Also, data collection tools have been designed to periodically gather information for each indicator. This is followed by an Operationalization Plan to guide the implementation plan of the system. The Operationalization Plan focuses on the issues of Linkages, Improving Human Resources and Operational Capacity, Development of a Computerized System, and Dissemination Strategy.

In the first phase the system will gather and disseminate information on five areas of Child Protection, including Juvenile Justice, Child Trafficking, Sexual Exploitation, Violence against Children, and Family Environment & Alternative Care and more indicators will be included gradually in the second phase.

Besides the above, numerous forward looking laws are at different phases of legislative process. These laws include: 1) The Criminal Laws Amendment Bill, 2009 2) National Commission on the Rights of Children Bill, 2009 3) The Charter on the Child Rights Bill, 2009 4) The Child Marriages Restraint (Amendment) Bill, 2009 5) Sindh Child Protection Authority Bill, 2009 6) The AJK Child Protection Authority, Bill 2009 7) Domestic Violence against Women and Children (Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2009
Moreover, CRC provisions related to Adoption/Kafala, Universal Birth Registration, Special Protection for children victims of trafficking, Determination of the child’s legal status are currently under review.

2.2 Social welfare and justice structures and services

The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education provides an enabling environment and tangible opportunities, through policies, programs and projects that would contribute in poverty alleviation and promotion of social progress and social justice in the country while addressing the needs of downtrodden, marginalized and vulnerable segments of the society. Similar ministries have been set up at the provincial levels.
Benazir Income Support Programme is the central programme of social safety instruments and important cash transfer scheme in Pakistan. The allocation for the last fiscal year was Rs. 70 billion to provide cash assistance to 5 million families which constitutes almost 15% of the entire population. Thus the programme aims at covering almost 40% of the population below the poverty line allocation for the CFY is 3.50 Billion ($41million).

Zakat is another important cash transfer scheme in Pakistan. Two main types of support are provided through the scheme: a monthly subsistence allowance to each Mustahiq(deserving) and a rehabilitation grant. These two categories constitute about 70 percent of the support. Grants for Jehez (marriage dowry), and educational and medical expenses, make up the remaining 30 percent. At present annual Zakat collection is around Rs. 5 billion ($59 million). It is estimated that the Zakat system benefits about 2 million Pakistanis, of which about 0.5 million are receiving assistance on a regular basis.

Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM), is an important institution working under the umbrella of Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education. PBM provides assistance to widows, orphans, persons with disability& other needy persons. It provides educational assistance to orphans including stipends for the outstanding, non-affording students for higher professional education. PBM provides residential accommodation and necessary facilities for the deserving, free medical treatment for indigent sick people, set up free hospitals and rehabilitation centres for the poor and financial aid to charitable institutions including educational & vocational setups.
Would be good to mention “Child Welfare Programme” of the PBM, which is a Conditional Cash Transfer piloted in three districts of Pakistan. The scheme aims at facilitating the access to mainstream education for working children.

Some important programmes and projects working for social welfare include: 1) Child Protection Centres in the national capital and at provincial levels have been set up. 2) A Child Complain Cell set up at the Ombudsman’s Secretariat with its chapter in provinces as well. 3) Child Protection and Welfare Bureau in Punjab with five Child Protection Institutions in five major cities for the welfare and (2004 to 2009) 4) Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) 5) The Ministry has established a Trust for the rehabilitation of Children affected by Armed Conflicts. Rs. 100 million ($1.2 million) has been allocated by the government as seed money. 6) National Skills Strategy 2008-2013 7) President’s “Funni Maharat Programme” (Vocational Skills Programme) 8) Prime Minister’s “Hunarmand Pakistan Programme (Skilled Pakistan Programme)

In July 2000, the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance was promulgated, giving a federal legal instrument aiming at better protecting juvenile offenders all over the country. Major innovations have been introduced by this ordinance, namely concerning the death penalty, labour during imprisonment, corporal punishment in police custody, arrest under preventive laws, trial procedures, and use of fetters or handcuffs. Various capacity building measures are underway to ensure full compliance of the law.

3. Challenges and opportunities

Major challenges towards improving situation of children in the country include; eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, strengthening services for children and effective implementation of child related laws including Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, besides lack of coordination and communication among various stakeholders at federal, provincial and local levels, lack of human and financial resources and non availability of data on child protection issues as well as a limited number of quality social services for children and families socially excluded that are equitable, accessible and affordable.

The operationalization of the national child protection framework has faced major challenge in Pakistan, many of which could be attributed to the lack of a coherent implementation mechanism and an effective channel though which to apply various international laws to meet local conditions and requirements, including the revision of outdated laws left over as a legacy from colonial times. Inadequate resources allocated by the State have posed further constraints on the robust child protection policy implementation.

The successive military interventions have not only disrupted the politically-motivated legislative process in Pakistan, but have also shaken the public confidence in the continuity of policies and in the sanctity of political institutions in the country. A large number of ordinances are indicative of the absence of a stable political legislative process in Pakistan. Likewise, an instable political culture contributes to weakening of the state institutions; thus, causing unavoidable disconnects between the policy and implementation levels. The expedient policy formulation – either to serve short-term political interests of the successive regimes or to please international agencies and allies –does not allow for adopting a bottom-up approach, which is central to a participatory policy formulation process. As a result, implementation mechanisms that are incongruous, not only to the ground realities, but also to the policy itself, are coming into being a trend that needs to be checked without any delay as it is creating hurdles to achieving the desired results.

The impact of the October 8, 2005 earthquake on vulnerable groups particularly on children was devastating. Children, who lost one or both parents, have been made vulnerable to exploitation and child labor, in particular when from poorer households. Following the earthquake approximately 40,000 children were orphaned; majority of children who lost parents remain with their extended families however, a number of these children were admitted to institutional care. According to the National Plan of Action for the Most Vulnerable Population in the Earthquake Affected Areas most children were taken in by members of their extended family. 160 separated children have been reunited with their family by the ICRC.

Recent floods are the worst in our country’s history and described as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. The floods have affected no less than 20 million people destroyed crops, infrastructure, towns and villages, according to the Paksitani government. As the Government of Pakistan tries to do its best with the help of UN, INGOs, bilateral and multilateral donors, millions of children face serious risk to their health, education, protection, welfare and well being.

The challenges we are faced with have brought the situation of children in Pakistan under the spotlight, both nationally and internationally. We hope that the generous support Pakistan is getting from donor organizations and countries will help improve the situation of our children. Most importantly, technical support can help us improve our institutions and services.

There is a strong opportunity to learn from other countries of the region. Sharing of best practices and experiences can go a long way in course correction and creating a momentum for change. More than ever before, the term South-South cooperation—which can be defined as an exchange of expertise and resources between governments, organizations, and individuals in developing nations—has been gaining importance and momentum in the development arena. Some success has already been achieved in South Asia in this respect. South Asia Forum for Ending Violence Against Children (SAF) as a regional mechanism initiated with the vision of ending all forms of violence against all children in South Asia. SAF is composed of representatives from the governments of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and activities are coordinated by a Regional Secretariat hosted by the Government of Nepal. Earlier, SARC countries joined hands to draw SAARC Social charter adopted at their Twelfth Summit held in Islamabad in 2004. This Charter re-affirms the principal goals promoting the welfare of the peoples of South Asia, improving their quality of life, accelerating economic growth, social progress and cultural development. The provisions laid down in the Social Charter are now being implemented across the region with the establishment of National Coordination Committees (NCCs) in all Member States.

4. Evidence

In 2008, the government conducted Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) study that identified 18 child protection issues need attention in Pakistan. Based on this study, Pakistan launched a National Campaign against Child Abuse later that year. The knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary care givers shows that a girl is seen to be 'mature' sooner than boys and the restrictions of adult women apply to her at an early age. A majority of adults also deem it OK for children to work in case of poverty and economic deprivation of the family. In this scenario it will be difficult to use the legal instruments of child rights and child protection, without also addressing poverty and providing incomes opportunity for the family as a whole.

Ninety six percent of the respondents agreed that children should have rights and 88 percent of the parents also thought that boys and girls had equal rights. Yet parents think that the worst acts for boys have more to do with what hampers their current or eventual earning habits, while for the girls they have to do with what is popularly perceived as lack of modesty and lack of subservient behavior. While society is accepting similar educational and health provisions for boys and girls, duty holders are as yet still quite conservative and discriminate between boys and girls when it comes to mobility, leisure and freedom (for girls) and punishments and more severe outcomes (for boys).

A majority of children with primary caregivers were found to be enrolled at schools. The situation of children in the shelters, orphanages and madrassas has not emerged as too alarming in terms of education, except in the case of children on streets/shrines where only 8 percent were currently attending school, and children engaged in labour where only 15 percent were in schools.

There was also a preponderance of boys among children found in child labour. About a quarter of the respondent household children reported working in spite of living in family environments with primary caregivers. This study shows children work because of the survival of their families – not because they and their families do not understand about child rights. It is poverty, not lack of primary care giving, that determines whether a child is engaged in child labour.

5. Key issues
Limited capacity of the concerned government officials to fulfil different obligations under the Convention remain an important factors affecting the performance. There is lack of trained professionals in the fields relating to children and child rights e.g. child protection, child participation etc

The need for capacity development and provision of adequate financial resources to the relevant ministries and departments at federal, provincial and district levels of the government cannot be over-emphasised as a means to achieve the overarching objective of child protection.

Due to different challenges, including security threats to the country, resource allocation to children have been low.

Coordination between different stakeholders and government institutions have long been a challenge. As Pakistan decentralizes social sector departments to the provincial governments, coordination between the federating units and between the provinces and the federation can prove a key issue.

Standard social services, community-based services for children living in poverty, being out of school or victims of abuse, exploitation has to be considered as an absolute priority. Accreditation and inspection of services has to become institutionalized. The relations between the public powers and the service providers have to be regulated in accordance with the new public management (e.g. social contracting).
Awareness on child rights is also likely to remain a key issue in the near future at least.

6. Recommendations and follow up

To improve the situation of children in Pakistan, institutional structure needs to be improved. An effective coordination mechanism is required to be put in place. Capacity of the stakeholders working with/for the children needs to be built. Adequate resources are required to be allocated.
In order to further the Child Rights Agenda in Pakistan, following concrete steps are key targets to achieve a protective and enabling environment for the children:

1. National policies and strategies for social inclusion and child poverty reduction will be operationalized.

2. Improvement in the Administrative and Institutional structures to have the capacity to implement the provisions and recommendations of the policies and strategies, at central and local level.

3. Strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors, governmental and civil society, federal and provincial levels are required to be institutionalized.

4. Decentralized mechanisms and structures for social benefits and services are set up at district/community level and need to be strengthened.

5. The child protection system is reformed and in compliance with the provisions of the CRC and the national reformed legislation.

6. Budgetary provisions will be increased for child protection and appropriate administrative actions will be taken for child protection and assistance.

7. A multifaceted and systematic framework will also be developed to respond to Child protection issues and will be integrated into national planning processes.

8. The implementation of the national strategy, policy or plan will be systematically evaluated according to established targets and timetables and provided with adequate human and financial resources to support its implementation.

9. The newly launched Child Protection Management Information System (CPMIS) is an innovative step taken by the Government of Pakistan to fill the data gaps existing in Child Protection Indicators in order to bring more cohesiveness in all planned remedies and measures aimed for the welfare and development of child rights in Pakistan.

10. In 2007, the Government of Pakistan has approved a “Social Protection Strategy to Reach the Poor and Vulnerable”. The Social Protection Strategy is conceived within the overall framework of ‘Just and Balanced Development’ envisaged in MTDF (2005-10) and Vision 2030.

11. The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education, National Commission for Child Welfare and Development have finalized the process of developing the National Child Protection Policy. The social protection strategy and the child protection policy aim in tackling family and child poverty and disparities, poverty based exclusion and other forms of social exclusion and to address vulnerabilities.

Pakistan considers it a matter of utmost priority that its children grow and develop in health and happiness, receive education and develop skills, so that they can realize their full potential and effectively participate and contribute to the social, cultural and economic life of our nation.

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