KARACHI, Dec 23: The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) goes beyond existing treaties by seeking to balance the rights of the child and the rights and duties of parents or their guardians.

This was stated by children while speaking at the Open Forum held at Muslim Gymkhana under the auspices of an NGO, Madadgaar. It was part of the programmes organized by the NGO during Madadgaar’s Child Rights Week.

Those who excelled in different fields at the national as well as international level participated in the Open Forum and shared their success stories with the fellow children.

One of the speakers, Fayza Rafiq of Karachi Cadet School, said that she had secured first position in a national championship. She praised her father for extending all possible support to her for the achievement and urged parents to support their children, especially girls, with all available means.

Uzair Moti of the same school told the children that he was the national Karate champion and had been retaining the title for the last three years. He said that he also had been participating in swimming, horse-ridding and shooting competitions at the national and provincial levels.

He said that parents should encourage children to participate in such activities and develop their talents so that a positive change could be brought about in the whole world.

St. Joseph’s student, Beenish Zia, who participated in various national and international seminars, said that children’s rights included freedom, education, development and protection from all kinds of abuse.

Another speaker, Arsalan Zia, informing the children of his participation in different national and international forums, stressed the need for child-friendly laws to be enacted by the legislators.

Syed Mujtaba of Delhi College informed the children that he was a member of the Provincial Commission for Child Welfare and Development (PCCWD). He said that it was a good sign that the government had realized the need for the children’s participation in the decision-making process. He called for such a participation at all levels.

Fayza Yousuf, winner of the National Yoga Championship for six years, stressed on the dissemination of the CRC at school level.

Ahsanur Rehman alias Shani of Darul Khushnood, who has been participating in different national and international forums, supported the idea of enacting child-friendly laws in the country.

Zia Awan, an eminent lawyer and social worker, and Beena Benjamin, a well-known singer, distributed shields and certificates among the children.—PPI