Elimination of child labour a collective responsibility, seminar told

Karachi
Both the government and the state’s citizens needed to work together to eliminate child labour from the society, stated University of Karachi Department of Social Work Chairperson Prof Dr Nasreen Aslam Shah at a seminar on Wednesday.
Prof Nasreen, also the director of the Centre of Excellence for Women Studies KU, observed that child labour was an exploitation of the highest order as children were usually found to have been employed in the most inhuman conditions in violation of the basic human rights. She was speaking at a seminar titled ‘Impact of social, psychological and communicational development on children in light of parent’s behaviour’, organised by the Department of Social Work.
Terming it the society’s biggest menace, she said child labour was present in each and every walk of life due to widespread poverty and inflation in our country.
“Education and basic health facilities are the birth right of every child and relevant measures were needed for the protection of these rights.”
Furthering the discussion, Prof Dr Jamil Kazmi opined that Islam teaches its followers to be kind and affectionate towards children.
“It is imperative for parents to boost their confidence. A human mind contains positive vibes with the help of which it brings about creative and healthy changes in the society.”
He also urged teachers to boost a child’s morale and recognise his/her abilities, since the practice plays a vital role in the development of a child. “It is always a two way process,” the Prof Kazmi added.
Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Department of Psychiatrics Chairman Prof Dr Iqbal Afridi said a child’s mental development plays a vital role in channelizing positive energies.
Speaker Dr M Shahid said teachers and parents are role models for children since they adopt their practices and behaviour.
Prof Dr Nisar Zuberi was of the view that communication played an imperative role in the upbringing of children. “Parenting has now become an art. We need to adopt the latest trends and techniques of communication in this matter.”
He further observed that society also played a crucial role in parenting. Children who were punished by their parents naturally developed a violent behaviour. “Better understanding between parents is also highly imperative for a child’s steady growth,” he stated.