The launch in Peshawar of The State of the Children in Pakistan 2024 and the Situation Analysis of Children from Minority Religions brought together government departments, UNICEF and local civil society to highlight pressing concerns for child welfare across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the country. Representatives from the Elementary and Secondary Education Department KP, the KP Child Protection & Welfare Commission, the Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs Department KP, the IG Office and multiple local NGOs attended the event to review evidence and discuss next steps for protecting childrenβs rights.
The reports underline a range of deep challenges affecting child rights, including large numbers of out of school children, persistent child labour, and the continuing incidence of early and forced marriages. The national overview in The State of the Children in Pakistan 2024 also points to major gaps in child health and nutrition and draws attention to new vulnerabilities such as climate-related risks and online protection hazards that demand updated responses from policymakers and service providers.
Speakers at the launch stressed the need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to strengthen legal safeguards and ensure inclusive policies that reach the most vulnerable. The participation of provincial departments alongside UNICEF and civil society reflected a shared recognition that protecting child rights requires both policy reforms and on-the-ground interventions, particularly for children from minority religious backgrounds who face heightened risks.
Organisers described the report launch as a critical step toward evidence-based advocacy and policy making that prioritises equitable access to health, education and protection for every child. The event called for immediate action to translate the reportsβ findings into stronger laws, better implementation and targeted programmes across KP and nationwide to safeguard the future of Pakistanβs children.
