Dialogue highlights challenges and solutions for minority children in Pakistan

Islamabad:The National Commission for the Rights of the Child (NCRC) and Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) organised a dialogue on the challenges to interfaith coexistence and the role of religious leaders and communities in promoting harmony.

The discussion, titled ‘Empowering Minority Voices: Advancing Social Inclusion, Legal Protection, and Social Harmony with a Focus on Minority Children,’ aimed to address critical issues facing religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly minority children.

Executive Director of SSDO, Syed Kausar Abbas, emphasized the importance of inclusion and legal protection for minority communities. He highlighted Jinnah's vision of Pakistan as a democratic state founded on the principles of equality, justice, and religious freedom. Kausar Abbas also introduced the Azm-i-Masawat program launched by SSDO to empower the youth of religious minorities. This program offers fellowships providing training in functional English, leadership skills, advocacy, and entrepreneurship to minority youth, promoting inclusivity and enabling meaningful contributions to the nation's development.

MNA Sehar Kamran, a Guest of Honor, highlighted the government's commitment to promoting social harmony and ensuring the rights of all minority communities, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by minority children. She also mentioned notable appointments and elections of individuals from minority communities, emphasizing the government's efforts toward inclusivity.

The event featured two panel discussions. The first, "Promoting Inclusion and Addressing Challenges Faced by Minority Children," focused on issues such as access to education and employability, access to justice in cases of violence against children and trafficking, and the impact of climate change on these vulnerable communities. The panelists underscored the urgent need for inclusive policies and the removal of barriers hindering the educational and professional growth of minority children.