ISLAMABAD: The participants of stakeholder’s consultation on the development of a Child Protection Prevention Framework (CPPF) on Sunday called for a collaborative national wide effort to prevent violence against children in Pakistan.
The event, jointly organized by Save the Children and UNICEF at the Child Protection Institute, brought together representatives from civil society organizations, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), the legal community, and service delivery organizations.
David Bloomer, Regional Advisor at Save the Children, and child rights expert Rabeea Hadi facilitated the session, while Yousaf Shah, Director of the Child Protection Institute, delivered the opening remarks.
It was noted that this consultation is the first in a series planned across the country ahead of the finalization of the Child Protection Prevention Framework (CPPF).
During the discussion, alarming statistics were shared: over 3.3 million children aged 5 to 14 in Pakistan are engaged in child labor—often under hazardous conditions. Child marriage remains a significant concern, with 18% of girls married before the age of 18 and 4% before age 15. Moreover, data from the 2014 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) revealed that over 80% of children in Punjab, Sindh, and Gilgit-Baltistan experience violent discipline.
Participants emphasized that the CPPF is designed to address these issues through a comprehensive, multi-tiered strategy. It will include primary (community-based prevention), secondary (targeted interventions for at-risk children), and tertiary (long-term recovery and prevention of recurrence) measures.
The framework will also define key performance indicators and incorporate a robust monitoring system to enhance accountability and effectiveness. It aims to be regionally adaptable and integrated into long-term child protection policies, with endorsement from provincial and regional governments.
Consultation attendees highlighted key challenges such as poverty, lack of education and awareness, weak oversight systems, and limited access to essential services, all of which contribute to the persistence of child protection issues. They urged for stronger and more coordinated efforts to prevent child labor, child marriage, and violence, and to ensure every child grows up in a safe, nurturing environment.
This consultation represents a critical step toward building a unified, nationwide approach to preventing and addressing violence against children in Pakistan.
