ISLAMABAD, Jan 01 (APP): A two-day awareness programme featuring an interactive puppet show concluded at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), as Secours Islamique France (SIF) wrapped up its annual event aimed at promoting child protection, good parenting and mental health. Blending entertainment with powerful social messaging, the performances sought to sensitize children and families to issues of safety, emotional well-being and responsible caregiving.
The event opened with welcome remarks by Dr Altaf Abro, Head of Mission, Secours Islamique France (SIF), who highlighted the organization’s 31 years of global humanitarian work and its operations in Pakistan since 2010. He noted that SIF’s orphan sponsorship programme, launched three decades ago in Gaza, now supports more than 10,000 orphan students worldwide by ensuring access to education and socio-economic stability. He also shared that SIF continues to implement skills development initiatives to empower vulnerable communities.
Speaking on child-related challenges in Pakistan, Dr Abro stressed that education remains the most pressing issue. He drew attention to grave concerns, including around 1,000 annual deaths of children under five linked to parental issues, alongside widespread child labour, early marriages, violence and other child protection violations. He further pointed out that nearly 26 million children are out of school and that rising malnutrition has prompted SIF to introduce a school meal programme.
A panel discussion, moderated by Mr Habib Ahmad Laghari, brought together representatives from law enforcement, international organizations and civil society to share insights and practical perspectives.
Ms Nargis Raza, Deputy Director at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), said cases involving children are treated on a priority basis with strict confidentiality and sensitivity. She underlined that child protection is primarily the responsibility of the state, followed by parents, communities and institutions. Highlighting the magnitude of the issue, she noted that globally one in every eight children faces sexual abuse, cautioning parents against leaving children unattended, as perpetrators are often trusted individuals.
Ms Fauzia from Oxford Storyteller emphasized storytelling as a powerful tool for children’s learning and behavioural change, saying children respond more effectively to narratives than lectures. She also noted that nearly 90 per cent of child abuse cases go unreported and warned that exposure to disturbing digital content and social media reels is harming children’s mental health.
Ms Misbah Shahbaz, SHO of Phulgran Police Station, Islamabad, advised parents not to create fear of police among children, stressing that law enforcement agencies exist to protect, not intimidate, them.
Ms Munazza Ali, Child Protection and Gender Advisor at Save the Children, highlighted the critical role of mothers’ mental health in a child’s development and called for greater awareness and psychosocial support. Mr Imtiaz, Child Protection Expert at UNICEF, stressed the importance of strong emotional bonding between parents and children for healthy upbringing. Meanwhile, Mr Muhammad Hussain Ali, Child Protection Officer (Legal), noted that while Pakistan has comprehensive child protection laws, limited public awareness remains a major challenge to their effective implementation.
The programme concluded with a collective reaffirmation by all stakeholders to strengthen child protection, education, mental health and positive parenting, with innovative tools such as puppet shows and storytelling seen as effective means to drive lasting social change.