KARACHI, Jan 9: Child rights activists, while appreciating the government for formulation of a national policy and plan of action to combat child abuse and commercial exploitation have stressed a positive environment for its implementation.

The policy, reported to be almost ready for endorsement and ratification, has identified children as all those below 18 years of age and assures state accountability in terms of child protection through legal reform and law enforcement, awareness raising and education, improved economic security, repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration, collaboration and coordination with effective monitoring and children’s participation.

Prof Amin Gadet of Psychiatry Department, Hamdard University, talking to APP, said that the though the sounded ideal, the ground realities would make its implementation difficult and therefore there was need for firm government commitment along with effective public-private partnership.

He reminded that though the South-Asia consultation document stated that child sexual abuse and exploitation was the least acknowledged form of child right violations in South Asia, national studies suggested widespread existence of the problem.

With reference to Pakistan, he said the public was yet to realise the severity of the situation and the fact that local children were exploited at streets, their work places and at times in their very homes.

“They are trafficked for domestic work, factory labour, entertainment, illegal adoption and marriage,” the psychiatrist said on basis of his recent study on the subject.

While children belonging to families with meagre resources are vulnerable as their parents are often lured by promises of good education, jobs and marriage proposals, those from the middle class and upper strata are said to be trapped due to lack of emotional support.—APP