Promoting inclusion: Event arranged for minority children

PESHAWAR: The Directorate of Social Welfare, Special Education, and Women Empowerment Department (Merged Districts), in collaboration with Unicef, organized an event at Landikotal, tehsil of the Khyber district for the Christian community.

The primary objective was to engage minority children in a range of activities as part of the Universal Children’s Day celebrations held on 16 November.Children, adolescents, youth, and families actively participated in art activities, sports and recreational events, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support sessions, and quiz competitions. Sports and recreational kits, art materials, and stationery gifts were distributed to children involved in the various activities with Unicef’s support.

Through these joint efforts, the event aimed to reach children, youth, and communities particularly minority groups in Khyber district promoting inclusion, participation, and awareness on child rights and protection while celebrating the spirit of Universal Children’s Day this year.The communities expressed gratitude to the Department and Unicef for their dedicated efforts in reaching and supporting minority groups.

It is worth mentioning that the Universal Children’s Day, established by the United Nations in 1954, is celebrated annually on 20th of November to promote international togetherness, awareness among children, and improvement of children’s welfare. The date marks the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).

In 2025, the global theme “My Day, My Rights” highlights the importance of listening to children, ensuring their participation in decision-making, and recognizing their voices as central to development and protection.

This year’s celebration aims to bring together students, youth, faculty, and street children in an inclusive and interactive open-space event featuring art, theatre, and recreational activities to promote child protection messages and children’s rights.