ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: Unicef welcomed the signing of two important conventions on trafficking of women and children and child welfare by the Saarc countries.

It also called upon the seven countries to ratify the conventions as well.

Speaking at a news conference here on Monday, Unicef spokesperson, Chulho Hyun said Unicef executive director, Carol Bellamy has congratulated the Saarc nations on signing the conventions at the SAARC summit in Kathmandu.

A press release issued by Unicef said trafficking of children and women for sexual exploitation is on the rise in South Asia as a result of poverty, social and gender discrimination, weak legislation and enforcement.

The conventions signed by South Asian heads of state and government deplore the evil of trafficking in women and children as a violation of basic human rights.

Unicef urged the governments to also ratify these two conventions as well as the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, which so far have been signed only by Nepal and Bangladesh, and ratified by Bangladesh alone.

Each country must also take immediate steps to strengthen regional cooperation to effectively implement both conventions, Unicef said.

Most South Asian countries have evolved national plans of action to combat trafficking, but follow-through has been less thorough.

“It is now time to act,” said Unicef Deputy Executive Director Kul Gautam. “Now that every leader has signed these conventions, community groups and the media must be vigilant in holding governments accountable. Perpetrators must be challenged and their impunity stopped.”