ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Human Rights and the World Health Organization (WHO) on October 14 launched the country’s first National Strategy to End Violence Against Children (2026–2031), aimed at strengthening prevention and protection for 120 million children living in Pakistan.
The strategy was launched during the National Preparatory Consultation for the 2nd Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, which will be held in Manila, the Philippines, in November. The two-day consultation, being led by the Ministry of Human Rights in partnership with UNICEF and WHO on October 14-15, has brought together more than 100 participants, including experts, federal and provincial authorities, partners, representatives of civil society, youth organisations and children.
According to the strategy, up to eight in 10 children in Pakistan experience violent discipline. It says one in 16 children aged 12 to 17 who use the internet endure technology-facilitated exploitation or abuse, while 840,000 children aged 10 to 17 have ever been married. It further states that 8.6 million children are engaged in child labour and more than 57 percent of children under five are not registered with a civil authority, making them more vulnerable to violence and limiting their access to protection and essential services.
The national strategy seeks to strengthen a system of prevention, protection, response, recovery, reintegration and justice for every child, regardless of social or economic status. It aims to address multiple forms of violence, including violent killing, physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, child neglect and technology-facilitated violence, exploitation and abuse.
The strategy notes that the risk of violence, including exploitation, early marriage, trafficking and child labour, is disproportionately high for vulnerable groups such as displaced children, migrant children and those living in informal or poor urban settlements.
The initiative is based on the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the INSPIRE framework, an evidence-based package developed by a group of 10 international agencies under the leadership of WHO. INSPIRE includes seven strategies that have reduced violence against children in many countries by addressing laws, norms, safe environments, caregiver support, financial stability, response services and life skills.
Participants at the consultation are also reviewing Pakistan’s progress on pledges made at the previous Global Ministerial Conference held in Bogotá, Colombia, in 2024, and are discussing solutions and measurable action.
Speaking at the event, Girl Guide Qurat Ul ain Safdar Khan said every child in Pakistan should be able to grow up without fear. “For many children, fear is part of everyday life. It may be bullying at school, punishment that causes pain and humiliation, harassment, or threats on a phone screen,” she said. She added that some children were forced to work and others were forced to marry during childhood. “We often hear that children are the future, but our childhood is happening now. The safety and protection we deserve and the support we need cannot wait until we grow up,” she said.
Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights Abdul Khalique Shaikh said the launch was a significant milestone in efforts to establish a comprehensive and coordinated national framework for strengthening prevention, protection and response across relevant sectors and institutions. “This strategy is just the beginning. Success will be measured by our actions and our ability to save children from violence,” he said.
Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights Saba Sadiq said the Government of Pakistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was committed to strengthening child protection and ensuring that every child could grow up in a safe and violence-free environment. She said ending violence against children required effective policies, strong institutions and collective efforts to safeguard their rights, dignity and future.
UNICEF’s Deputy Representative a.i. in Pakistan, Jennifer Melton, said the message shared by children that violence was still considered discipline was particularly important. She said ending violence was not only about responding after harm occurred, but also about prevention, supporting parents and caregivers, ensuring safe and positive learning environments, addressing harmful social norms and making sure children knew their rights and where to seek help.
WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng said ending violence against children was central to public health and that any form of violence against a child was a direct attack on the future. He said the consequences of violence could affect a child’s mental health, development, education and relationships, and continue to influence health and well-being into adulthood. He added that Pakistan could count on WHO’s support to advance its commitment to end violence against children in all forms and for every child.
According to WHO, one billion children globally experience physical, sexual or emotional violence every year, with lifelong physical and mental health impacts. WHO says a child dies as a result of violence every five minutes, and that such deaths and the long-term harm caused by all forms of violence against children are preventable.
