ISLAMABAD: More than 25 buildings across Pakistan will turn blue on Friday night as the country celebrates World Children’s Day — a global day of action for children and by children to help millions of them realise their rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Among the monuments that will turn blue are landmarks such as the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the Ministry of Human Rights and the National Assembly in Islamabad; Mazar-i-Quaid and Quaid-i-Azam Flag House in Karachi; Quaid-i-Azam Residency in Ziarat; Minar-i-Pakistan and Quaid-i-Azam Library in Lahore; all four provincial assemblies; and the Khyber Pass in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

It is the third year in a row that buildings in the country and across the globe are lit up to call for a world in which the vision of the Convention of the Rights of the Child becomes a reality for every child. World Children’s Day marks the adoption of the Convention on Nov 20, 1989. Pakistan ratified the convention the following year.

Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari, in her message, stated that turning iconic buildings blue in Pakistan demonstrates “our solidarity with children in the country”. This is also a reminder of the government’s strong commitment to defend children’s rights and to ensure that they are safe and protected against abuse.

“World Children’s Day is an opportunity to remind ourselves and the world how important it is to cherish, protect and empower our children. Government work and partnerships at every level will help us deliver a better world in which every child can realise their dreams and live a safe, carefree life,” said Human Rights Secretary Rabiya Javeri Agha.

World Children’s Day also marks a commitment to listening to the voices of children, adolescents and young people as they demand to be heard on issues that matter to them and ask to be part of the solution. Children must be included in decisions that affect their future, especially as this year brought forth new challenges related to the Covid-19 crisis.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2020