Daily Times

Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari, as part of an awareness raising campaign on child abuse, visited the CDA Model School, Islamabad on Thursday.

During the school visit she had an interactive lecture with students, teacher and parents on the signs that could tell if a child is being abused.

She talked to the students directly about the importance of knowing good touches and bad touches specially to prevent being subject of any kind of abuse. The minister emphasized that parents and teachers should play their role by asking children to speak out when they feel uncomfortable. She further stated that parents are required to learn life skills for children to understand children’s feeling and emotions.

While addressing the parents, teachers and children, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Ali Nawaz Awan, appreciated the endeavours of Ministry of Human Rights for awareness and sensitization on child abuse. He further applauded the school for their support in organizing this event. He pointed out that child abuse is a universal phenomenon and most of the cases are unreported. Present Government is fully cognizant to address the issue of child abuse through available possible means.

In order to protect children from abuse and exploitation, the Government has promulgated The Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 2016, National Commission on the Rights of the Child Act, 2017, and The ICT Child Protection Act, 2018. A Toll Free Helpline 1099 is also operating in the Ministry of Human Rights to provide fee legal advice to the victims of human/child rights violations.