News Desk |
Federal Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari inaugurated a Child Protection Campaign in Islamabad. Mazari shed light on the stark reality of Pakistan being number one in child pornography, during the ceremony held on Thursday.
Minister speaking at the conference stated that abuse is pervasive and affecting every stratum of the society, therefore, a comprehensive dialogue is required to control the vice. “This matter is in every stratum of our society,” stated Shireen Mazari.
The minister elaborated that Pakistan is ranked number one in child pornography and it is shameful “we call ourselves Muslims”. She believes that campaigns should be launched at schools to educate children on the subject.
Pakistan has witnessed several heinous cases of child abuse-Kasur scandal, Zainab rape case and the latest, Farishta rape case.
“In order to put an end to incidents of sexual abuse of children, we need to launch collective efforts,” she added. She lamented that despite the increase in cases of abuse no dialogue has taken place at any level.
“We even don’t talk to children about child abuse at any level or schools or households. Development is meaningless if children are not safe from abuse. We will analyze all complaints of abuse to the ministry,” she stressed.
She added that her ministry is waiting for the ‘Zainab Alert, Response, and Recovery 2019’ to be passed by National Assembly’s Standing Committee chaired by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Mazari pleaded that politics should be avoided on the matter of children.
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“Hope the bill returns to the assembly soon. If there’s law, punishments can be awarded in accordance with that. This message needs to be spread in order to eliminate abuse,” she added.
The Ministry of Human Rights secretary informed that several bills, including the national action plan for the safety and protection of children, are formulated.
Social activist and singer Shehzad Roy was present on the occasion. He calls for the need to challenge and break the mental barriers that obstruct awareness on the issue.
“People don’t even talk about it with parents and friends,” he said.
Read more: Ministry of Human Rights launches campaign against child abuse
“Parents should talk to their children about sexual abuse and assault,” Roy noted that one in every five persons in Pakistan was subjected to sexual assault and abuse but, unfortunately, no one talks about it. “Those who rape and murder should be awarded the strictest of punishments,” he added.
Pakistan has witnessed several heinous cases of child abuse-Kasur abuse scandal, Zainab rape case and the latest, Farishta rape case. It demands stern actions from the government, from policy-making, structural changes, to its implementation.