Search For Justice, Child Rights Movement Punjab and Pakistan Girl Guides Association jointly celebrated the International Youth Day under this year’s theme Safe Spaces for Youth at a local hotel, on Saturday. Panelists of the event urged that the government of Punjab must establish effective platforms at schools, colleges and at community level in a gender-sensitive manner where children and young people could be able to exercise their right to express themselves willfully and without any fear. Participants of the panel discussion were of the opinion that in public sector educational institutions, there is no concept of safe spaces and resultantly, children and youth face depression and mental stress due to absence of such platforms. They proposed that at every school and college level, there must be a child and youth friendly centre where children and youth can sit to explore the solutions of issues affecting them. Speaking on the occasion, Child Rights Movement Punjab Coordinator Rashida Qureshi urged that children and youth need safe spaces where they can come together, engage in activities related to their diverse needs and interests, participate in decision making processes and freely express themselves. While there are many types of spaces, safe spaces ensure the dignity and safety of youth. She also urged for introducing institutional mechanisms for implementation of recommendations accepted by Pakistan under Universal Periodic Review held in Geneva in November 2017. She highlighted the need to devise a clear roadmap to address the issues affecting the lives of children by taking on board all key stakeholders. Young activist Mohsin Baig shared that safe spaces can be defined as platforms where youth can come together, freely express themselves, engage in activities related to their diverse needs and interests and participate in decision-making processes. The platforms must be available and accessible for all groups of children, adolescents and youth. Physical or virtual spaces can help youth feel valued and advance their cognitive, emotional and social skills as they transition into adulthood. Child rights activist and defender Sameer Haider stressed on the importance to bring children’s voices into the decision-making process by providing them a convenient and comfortable environment to ensure meaningful participation of children. He also urged the government to establish safe spaces for children and young people where they can express their view freely, willfully and without any discrimination. Youth activist Malka Sajjad highlighted that platforms for children and youth must be free from all kinds of violence, harassment and discrimination. Published in Daily Times, August 12th 2018.