KARACHI: ‘Little hearts’ need media support, moot told
By A Reporter
KARACHI, Dec 13: Media is paying little attention towards the issues relating to children and that is why these little hearts are falling prey to the cruelties of society. It is a combined duty of parents, teachers, government and media to play an effective role for bringing up children in an atmosphere conducive for shaping them as civilized citizens.
These views were expressed in a media consultation session organised by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of Children here at a local hotel on Wednesday. The programme was attended by journalists and representatives of the Society.
The objective of the session was to raise awareness among media men to tackle the issues of children rights violations.
Former federal minister Javed Jabbar, who is also the chairman of SPARC, highlighted the background, history and importance of the organisation. He emphasised upon the media men to come forward and raise issues about children’s rights.
He also talked about the regrettable condition of women and children in jails and said the SPARC was active to get the children’s rights bill passed like that of the women’s rights bill. This, he said, could not be made possible without media support.
Mazhar Abbas said the role of media could not be neglected in protection of children rights. However, he said, media must also help develop moral values in society to curb children rights violation.
He said there were many instances where children had been victims of violence at the hands of their parents, teachers and personnel of different government departments.
Referring to the camel jockeys, he said these kids were living examples of maltreatment. He said the parents were reported selling out their children and those crushing them under the feet of camels were also before the whole world.
He stressed the need that the main stream media, especially the electronic media and Urdu Press, should play a forceful role to highlight the children’s rights issues.
The regional manager of SPARC Karachi, Akhtar Hussain Baloch, briefed the journalists about the activities and functions of the organisation.
He said despite the court’s verdict against jirga system on karo-kari, the system was still prevailing in Sindh and several examples in violation of the courts verdict were on record. He mentioned SPARC’s role in providing free legal aid to the victims and urged the journalists to step up their efforts for protection of the oppressed humanity.
