UNICEF representative visits Peshawar to review child protection initiative

PESHAWAR, Aug 21 (APP): UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Pernille Ironside visited Badeezai village here to review community-based child protection measures being implemented under the Child-Friendly Communities (CFC) initiative.

The visit focused on efforts to establish safer and more supportive environments for children by linking communities with schools, health and education services and formal child protection institutions, said an official release.

The delegation, which included UNICEF Chief of Field Office Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Radoslaw Rzehak and UNICEF CFC Ambassador Naila Kiani, was briefed by Chief of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Commission Ijaz Muhammad Khan on the commission’s efforts to strengthen child protection mechanisms at the grassroots level.

Ijaz Muhammad Khan said the commission was working with UNICEF and other partners to promote child-friendly and corporal-punishment-free schools in Badeezai and Regi Lalma and improve coordination between schools, communities and child protection institutions.

The delegation was also briefed on the role of Community-Based Child Protection Committees in identifying cases of child abuse, violence and neglect and facilitating their referral to relevant protection services.

During the visit, Pernille Ironside interacted with children, adolescents, mothers and community members and heard their views and experiences regarding child protection.

She appreciated community participation in the initiative and stressed the importance of involving children, parents and local communities in developing effective protection systems.

The UNICEF representative expressed the hope that the integrated approach would help produce sustainable improvements in child protection and contribute to creating safer and more inclusive communities for children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.