Violence against children
AS pointed out in a report recently published by a local NGO, children in the country are often the victims of violence.
With close to 10 million child workers in the country and with no system of monitoring employers who take full advantage of their age and pecuniary circumstances, it is no surprise that young workers are often physically and verbally abused. The same is true of children who are at school or studying at madressahs where corporal punishment is routine. Ignorance, poverty and fear keep them from seeking help from the few social forums and state institutions that could intervene to stop the violence perpetrated against them. The extent of frustration among such children is evident from the unusual rise in child suicide cases in 2006. Statistics show that 180 children took their own lives last year, but the actual number could be much higher.
This state of affairs calls for speedy formulation of a child protection policy that the government has been mulling over for some time so that children can be protected from all forms of violence – and also from neglect that is responsible for much of the emotional trauma they suffer. Unfortunately, such a policy can be effective only when the need to prioritise the rights of children is recognised. This is sorely missing in an environment which is not known to be child-friendly and where even basic rights such as proper healthcare, adequate nutrition and education are inaccessible to a large number of children. What is also tragic is the role of parents. Because of their financially straitened circumstances and the burden of looking after large families, they are unable to give their children the care and attention they need. These factors, together with weak law enforcement, encourage the trend of violence against children. Social awareness and a firm stance by the government against those who abuse children are needed to reverse it.
Source: Dawn
Date:7/11/2007
” 
” 
” 
” 
” 
