In Pakistan, child rights, unarguably, are one of the most debatable areas of policy spheres. Over the years, various policy initiatives were taken to achieve a higher status of child rights in the country, but most efforts taken by government of Pakistan to ensure child rights have not proved fruitful. Being signatory of international conventions, a state has an obligation to meet the commitments agreed upon. Therefore, it is important to review government efforts in the context of child rights. Revisiting the initiatives pertinent to child rights clearly highlight the absence of adequate use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Use of ICTs can be fruitful for improving conditions of child rights in Pakistan. Additionally, ICTs may work wonders in advocacy, media campaigning and awareness about child rights.
There are various international conventions and treaties that lay guidelines to ensure child rights. Among those international conventions, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a landmark in child rights. The UNCRC is primarily concerned with child rights as its articles 16, 19, 24, 28, 37, 38 and 40 are about violence against child. Article 19 deals with abuse and neglect of children. Moreover, Articles 11, 32, 34, 35 and 36 highlight the issue of exploitation of children, and deprivation of primary caregivers is addressed in articles 7, 9, 10, 11, 18, 20, 25 and 37. In regard to the scope of its work, the UNCRC is a global organisation for ensuring child rights.
Pakistan ratified the UNCRC on 22 November 1990. Being signatory of the UNCRC, it is obligatory for Pakistan to ensure provision of aforementioned articles of the UNCRC in the country. So far, Pakistan has taken various policy initiatives to improve child rights in the country, but incidents like the Kasur sexual abuse scandal show the gap between policy making and implementation. Also, such cases raise grave concerns about the status of child rights in Pakistan.
This policy gap may be because of lack of awareness, advocacy and sensitisation of people about child rights. It is clear that this century is the age of ICTs. Therefore, government of Pakistan should realign its strategies of sensitisation, education and awareness of child rights by integration with the effective use of ICTs.
For education, sensitisation, and awareness about child rights, various initiatives can be taken. Firstly, it is an era of Social Networking Sites, and it is estimated that there are approximately 17.2 million users of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram etc. This online community is easily accessible, and it should not be too difficult to raise awareness among them about child rights. Social Networking Sites provide platform for promotion and advertising. Government of Pakistan can place advertisements and information on Social Networking Sites about child rights issues. Moreover, debate groups can be formed on Social Networking Sites where online community can ask questions and express their thoughts about child rights in Pakistan.
Secondly, mobile technology is rapidly penetrating in Pakistan as Pakistan Telecommunication Authority stated that over 80 percent of the land has access to cellular technology. To approach such a vast community, a vigorous message campaign can be launched in collaboration with mobile companies to send public service messages to the mobile users. Such messages may contain basic information of legal aids, helplines, and other important information about the National Human Rights Institutes (NHRIs). This initiative would provide maximum outcome with minimum resources in limited time and less financial burden.
Thirdly, Mobile Operating Systems, dominantly Android and IOS, provide cloud spacing for launching personal applications. Government of Pakistan could launch a child rights application that provides information and updates about child rights and other relevant matters. A better example of this strategy is the Youask application launched by Rutgers International about awareness and guide for sexual and reproductive rights of youth.
Last but not the least, a right-based media campaign can be launched on public and private TV channels. For making proactive advertisements, an advertising company can be hired, or volunteers be trained for planning and making ad campaigns. Regular telecasting of these advertisements on television would raise awareness about child rights all across Pakistan.
Admitting the fact that ICTs is one of the most influential and effective tools of the 21st century to raise awareness and reach people, government of Pakistan should use ICT in educating people about their rights and child rights.
The writer is a blogger and an author and can be reached at [email protected]