79% children faced violence in KP

Islamabad

A country-wide study conducted by Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS), University of the Punjab shows that around 70 per cent of the children in Pakistan face violence in one form or the other during their childhood.

Findings of the study were shared at a ‘National Consultation on Referral Mechanism for Re-unification of Missing Children’ organised by the Ministry of Human Rights in collaboration with Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh and World Vision.

The consultation was aimed at establishing inter provincial referral mechanism and its inclusion in the core policy document for child protection at provincial level. During the course of consultation, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed by the stakeholders where they committed to take all possible steps for a collaborative effort to control violence against children (VAC) and reunify the missing children. 

The study says that impact of VOC is complex and multifaceted.  Such violence not only affects the physical, psychological and emotional health of children but also ruin their educational and social skills.

The study also establishes the fact that areas with more education level have less VOC. The study states that 79 per cent of children questioned in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa provinces confirmed that they had faced physiological, physical or sexual violence. KP is followed by Balochistan with 76 per cent of children, Sindh with 70 per cent of children and Punjab with 67 per cent of children. In Islamabad, 43 per cent respondents reported to have experienced violence.

The study is based on a sample size of 948 children from all over the country. Among the total sample size, 476 are male and 472 are female children whereas 475 children are school going and 473 are out of school. 66 per cent out of school children reported violence as compared to 49 per cent school going children. The ratio of violence was same with boys and girls which was 70 per cent.

The study recommends development of central data base and printing of annual report on VAC besides creating awareness on the benefits of non-violent behaviour and sensitization of parents about implications of violence on children and on the families. The study stresses for National Plan of Action for child protection and development and calls for accountability and punishment of perpetrators. It also suggests reforming legal and punitive system and implementation of national and international commitments to ensure child rights.

Officials of federal and provincial governments and representatives of national and international civil society organizations also participated in the consultation. The participants stressed for collaborative, connected and joint efforts to address the issue. They were of the opinion that different mechanisms to address VAC exist at national, provincial and civil society level but due to lack of coordination, effective in implementation of these mechanisms is still a challenge.