QUETTA: The first child protection unit in Balochistan was opened in Quetta in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) by provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Human Rights Mir Asadullah Baloch on Monday.

Speaking at the event, the minister said the implementation of the Child Protection Act was aimed at bringing justice to children who are victims of sexual and physical abuse, deprivation and oppression.

“The implementation of the Child Protection Act, which was passed in 2016, was due to the important roles played by the Unicef and Social Welfare Department. But, the depar­t­ments of health, education and labour, civil society and parents should also play their role,” he added.

Secretary Social Welfare Department Abdul Rauf Baloch said that the depart­ment in partnership with Unicef was taking every possible measure to ensure protection of children’s basic rights, “for which we will need the support of all stakeholders of society”, he added.

Unicef Country Representative Aida Grima said her organisation would continue to support every positive initiative in Balochistan.

Other speakers also said that child protection units would be opened soon in other districts for effective implementation of the Child Protection Act.

Former federal minister Roshan Khursheed Bhar­ucha, Director General Soc­ial Welfare Depart­ment Ahs­a­n­­ullah, officials, NGOs and civil society representatives also attended the event.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2020