1. FRCE Research on Problems of Pakistani Children reported through Media
FRCE Research
On
Problems of Pakistani Children
Reported through Media
Foundation for Research & Community Empowerment
B-26 Midland Bungalow near Sonhari book land
Near Naseem Nagar Qasimabad Hyderabad Sindh Pakistan
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2. FRCE Research on Problems of Pakistani Children reported through Media
Introduction
FRCE always believes children are the flowers of heaven. They are the most beautiful and purest
creation of God. They are innocent both inwardly and outwardly. No doubt, they are the beauty
of this world. But children in Pakistan face a variety of serious challenges ranging from
malnutrition and poor access to education and health facilities to exploitation in the form of child
labor. Their low status in society can leave them victim to daily violence at home and in school
as well as to organized trafficking and sexual exploitation, and many problems related with
children in the country were observed through media coverages since last year by FRCE
Researchers team in leading newspapers of the country.
Objectives of FRCE Research
1. Scrutinize children problems in Pakistan
2. Analyze in which fields child labour is deputed
3. Know how many children issues reported by media in the country
4. Identify how many forms of violence regarding children are highlighted in media
5. Listing of children problems which are coveraged by media in Pakistan
Methodology
The secondary data was reviewed in this study which was taken from different newspapers
(including English, Urdu & Sindhi) articles and Journals from January 2012 to November 2012
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mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of FRCE.

3. FRCE Research on Problems of Pakistani Children reported through Media
Results & Findings
Child labour
The socio-economic situation of the country is disastrous and forces families to make their
children work and children working in Pakistan in following fields as Child labour.
1. Agriculture
2. Homes
3. Carpet industry
4. Construction
5. Auto mobile industry
6. Textile industry
7. Bricks kilns
8. Hotels & restaurants
9. Shops & cigrate cabins
10. Bangles glass
11. Electrical & mechanical shops
12. Donkey carts
13. Tailoring & Barber
14. . Carpet waving
15. All scavenging including hospital waste
16. tobacco process ( including Niswar) and Manufacturing
17. fishing
18. Sheep casing, cattle grazing and wool industry
19. Ship breaking
20. Work at the sites where Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas
(CNG) are filled in cylinders
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4. FRCE Research on Problems of Pakistani Children reported through Media
Street Children
Poverty, physical and mental abuse, negligence, and family problems are the major factors that
lead children to take refuge in the streets.
Sexual exploitation of children
Around 90% of the street children in Pakistan are subjected to the sex trade. Pakistan is also one
of the only countries in the world where boys are almost more vulnerable to sexual abuse than
girls.
Violence and Abuse
There is a troubling increase in the cases of abuse, kidnapping, and violence towards children in
Pakistan, following violence and abuse were found
1. Domestic violence,
2. Rape,
3. Pedophilia,
4. forced marriage
5. Corporal punishment that represents the most common form of abuse.
Child trafficking
The reports show that children are sold, rented, or even kidnapped in order to force them to beg,
serve, and even to prostitute.
Displaced & Refugee children
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5. FRCE Research on Problems of Pakistani Children reported through Media
In Pakistan, armed conflicts are not the only factor pushing families to flee. The country also
sees recurring natural disasters. Children who flee their homes need food, care, shelter, and
drinkable water. In these precarious living conditions, many displaced children suffer from
illnesses not only caused by poor hygiene, but also by anxiety, stress, and depression.
Children and tribal Conflicts, clashes
Pakistan is the theatre for numerous conflicts and confrontations (the tribal conflicts in northern
Sindh and Taliban conflicts in KPK). Victims of suicide attacks, explosions and anti-personnel
mines, and children pay heavy consequences with their health from these conflicts and clashes.
Furthermore, these children are also deprived of their right to education because many schools
are destroyed and some regions are subject to curfews
Child marriages
It was observed that through media that some parents believe it is better to marry off their
daughters as early as possible. Some marry their daughters with men as old as their fathers
because no match could be found in their tribes or caste. Their ‘traditions’ don’t allow them to
marry their daughters outside their caste or tribe.Despite the “Child Marriage Restraint Act”,
which forbids marriages of children these marriages still take place in Pakistan? This law
establishes the legal age of marriage as 18 years for men and 16 years for women, and failure to
respect it could lead to sanctions. In practice, this law is not respected at all, and there are still
many cases of forced marriage in particular tribal areas of the country.
In rural areas, in media a practice called “Vani Marriages” was observed which involves giving
your daughter in marriage to settle a dispute or a debt between two parties. “The aggressor”
offers one of his family’s daughters in compensation for a wrong caused. These marriages are
very dangerous for the Health of young girls who, as a result, run the risk of domestic violence,
servitude, and rapes.
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6. FRCE Research on Problems of Pakistani Children reported through Media
Right to education
Observed that the majority of children attend primary school in Pakistan and the attendance rate
for Education is higher among boys than girls. The government only allocates just 2% of its
national budget to education, which is clearly insufficient considering the need. The difficulties
of public education are numerous: economic constraints, dilapidated or even dangerous schools
buildings, lack of toilets, chairs, tables, recurring humanitarian crises etc.
Furthermore, teachers are very under-qualified, and it is not uncommon for children to leave
school without knowing how to read or write.
Right to Identity
Births of the majority of children are not officially reported to the Pakistani public authorities,
making these children invisible in the eyes of society. The absence of regulations on births, and a
lack of information about the necessity to register them, is the biggest obstacles to the realization
of a complete birth registry. There is a great necessity to inform the general public about the
problems that this could cause, such as the absence of official identity, nationality, or even the
failure to respect the rights and practical needs of children.
Poverty
About 26% of the Pakistani population lives below the poverty line. This problem mainly affects
rural areas. The state of the global markets is exacerbating an already very difficult economic
reality. The first victims of poverty are children, the weakest and most vulnerable, who see a
complete deprivation of their rights, lack of education, health access and discrimination. And
poverty is the greatest single cause behind child labour.
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7. FRCE Research on Problems of Pakistani Children reported through Media
Conclusion & Recommendations of FRCE
FRCE believes that as we know that, the children are the citizens of future. They play significant
role in the society. A society cannot be humane without good provisions for the children to live
like children Joyful and carefree. Their fundamental rights have been guaranteed by Constitution
Therefore, it shall be the duty of State to eliminate problems faced by children in the country.
Government of Pakistan and NGOs so involved in the act of elimination of children issues the
following interventions shall be required to be taken.
1. Policies
Composite policies should be developed to address the issue of children and resources should be
allocated proportionately. Awareness must be raised and the attention of parents ought to be
diverted to the education of their children through media and mobilization.
2. Reshaping educational system
The free education be given up to tertiary level and every parent should be bound to send their
children to school for the education Because School education plays vital role in elimination of
child labor. In one hand, school could be alternative place for children instead of being at
workplace. On the other hand, education brings awareness about human rights, child rights,
gender equality and moral values making all concerned sensitive towards the issue of child labor.
Besides, qualitative education helps children become more capable and productive adults making
child labor necessary for future despite educational system of the country must be reshaped and
restructured according to national development goals.
3. Creating economic opportunities:
There is need to provide appropriate support for the poor families to come out of the vicious
Circle of poverty-ignorance-child labor and more poverty. Such support should come in the
Form of initiatives that promote local self-sustainability, local resource mobilization, and value
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mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of FRCE.

8. FRCE Research on Problems of Pakistani Children reported through Media
Addition in "export of local products" to other areas, reforms in unproductive cultures and
Practices, etc.
4. The family and the child:
Family members and the home environment is also the most important for every child such as
parental love and care and the most important aspects to avoid child labor and exploitation of
children. Therefore, parents must be made part of the endeavor to eliminate child issues. They
should be central in the rehabilitation endeavors. In cases the family is non-existent or the child
has a very negative feeling towards parents, foster parenting can help fill the gap.
5. Media:
Media is considered to be the fourth organ of the state in democratic society. Media plays a vital
role in awareness raising, advocacy and sensitization by collection and dissemination of
information. Often times, it is media that reports about the incidence of child labor first, to be
followed up by other players, especially when the activity is illegal, e.g. Child trafficking for
labor and other exploitations. Media could also play a key role in reporting best practices and
success stories.
7. Information dissemination regarding the Convention of children rights
There is a need for disseminating information regarding the Convention, constitutional provisions
and other related legislation pertaining to the rights of children. Thus, the local government
institutions, social/cultural/educational/religious institutions, NGOs and mass media, etc. should be
associated in the task of mobilising support for the rights and welfare of the children.
8. Ban on hazardous occupations: Government should enforce a ban on hazardous occupations
under the Employment of Children Act 1991.
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mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of FRCE.

9. FRCE Research on Problems of Pakistani Children reported through Media
References
Newspapers which were used during research
Daily News www.jang.com.pk
News Time Pakistan www.newstimepakistan.com
Daily Times www.dailytimes.com.pk
Dawn www.dawn.com
The Financial Daily www.thefinancialdaily.com
The Nation www.nation.com.pk
National Herald Tribune www.dailynht.com
Jang
UMAT
Express
Kawish
Ibrat
Sham
Awami Awaz
Thanks
Appeal of FRCE
As you know that FRCE running following programs meanwhile without any funding,
1. FRCE Youth Career Counseling Program,
2. FRCE Free Educational Program,
3. FRCE Research Program
4. FRCE Free Health Program
5. FRCE Advocacy & Campaign Program
6. FRCE community capacity building Program
7. FRCE celebration with legend figures of the country
Therefore requested to you help FRCE through your donation so that FRCE may contribute in
building Peaceful & Prosperous Pakistan.
Account Detail:
Account title: Foundation of Research and Community Empowerment (FRCE)
Account no: 0105020104661211
Khushali Bank Ltd Defense Plaza
Thandi Sarak Hyderabad Sindh Pakistan
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mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of FRCE.