SSDO Launches Child Protection Campaign, “Child Protection Is Everyone’s Responsibility,”  Calls for Stronger Safeguardi

ISLAMABAD, Oct 13 (APP): Protecting children from abuse, violence and exploitation requires a collective effort by government institutions, educational establishments, families and civil society, speakers said at a multi-stakeholder dialogue held at Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) on Tuesday.

The Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) launched its campaign, “Child Protection Is Everyone’s Responsibility,” at the event, bringing together parliamentarians, education leaders, civil society representatives and heads of public and private schools to discuss ways to strengthen child protection mechanisms and promote safer learning environments.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about child protection and safeguarding among around 30,000 children studying in public and private schools and their parents in Rawalpindi. It will also be extended to Islamabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhelum, Multan and Peshawar to promote a broader understanding of children’s rights and the measures needed to protect them from abuse and exploitation.

The dialogue was attended by Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Danyal Chaudhry, Punjab Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Chairperson MPA Sarah Ahmed, MNA Asiya Naz Tanoli, MPAs Tahira Mushtaq, Tehseen Fawad and Riffat Abbasi, FJWU Department of Sociology Head Dr Adeela, SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas, Director of Quality Assurance Maryam Jawad and heads of 100 public and private schools.

Addressing the gathering, Barrister Danyal Chaudhry highlighted the importance of public awareness and institutional engagement in tackling child protection challenges, particularly the emerging risks children face in digital spaces. He emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to ensure that children remain safe not only in their communities and educational institutions but also in the online environment.

Sarah Ahmed stressed the role of provincial child protection institutions in preventing abuse and exploitation, supporting vulnerable children and improving response mechanisms. She called for stronger coordination among schools, parents and relevant authorities to ensure the timely identification and reporting of child protection concerns.

She also emphasised the need to educate teachers and parents about safeguarding policies and available support services, saying that children should be able to learn, develop and thrive in a safe and protective environment.

MNA Asiya Naz Tanoli underscored the importance of protecting children’s rights through stronger institutional support, public awareness and shared responsibility. She called for closer collaboration among policymakers, educational institutions, families and civil society to make child protection a priority at every level.

MPA Tahira Mushtaq highlighted the need to strengthen safeguarding arrangements in schools and communities through awareness campaigns, effective policies and timely reporting mechanisms. She stressed that teachers, parents and school administrators must understand their responsibilities in identifying risks and ensuring that children have access to safe and supportive learning environments.

MPAs Tehseen Fawad and Riffat Abbasi also emphasised the importance of legislative engagement and cooperation among different sectors to improve child protection efforts.

Dr Adeela drew attention to the responsibility of educational institutions in upholding children’s rights and creating environments where students can pursue their education without fear of violence, abuse or exploitation. She stressed that schools must play an active role in promoting safety, awareness and respect for children’s rights.

SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas said protecting children required sustained and coordinated action by government institutions, schools, families and civil society, adding that awareness alone was insufficient without practical measures to prevent abuse, improve reporting and ensure institutional accountability.

He called for a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach to address child protection and safeguarding challenges in Pakistan, stressing that every individual had a responsibility to contribute to the safety and well-being of future generations.

Abbas said the organisation would engage parliamentarians through relevant provincial assemblies and the Parliamentary Caucuses on Child Rights of the National Assembly and Senate to strengthen legislative support and promote more effective child protection measures.

Maryam Jawad delivered a presentation on the importance of raising awareness, improving institutional coordination and promoting collective responsibility to prevent abuse and protect children.

The participants also discussed the role of school leadership in developing and implementing safeguarding policies, educating teachers and students, and establishing clear reporting and referral procedures for children at risk. They emphasised that educational institutions should be equipped to identify warning signs, respond appropriately to concerns and connect vulnerable children with relevant support services.

Through the campaign, SSDO aims to mobilise schools, government institutions and local communities to adopt a more coordinated and preventive approach to child protection. The initiative seeks to move beyond general awareness by encouraging practical steps that make safeguarding an integral part of educational and community life.

The dialogue concluded with a renewed emphasis on the need for sustained cooperation among policymakers, educators, parents and civil society to ensure that every child has access to a safe, supportive and protective environment, recognising that the protection of children’s rights is a shared responsibility of the entire society.