Hub: Deputy Commissioner orders immediate FIRs on complaints of violence against children

HUB: A meeting of the District Child Protection Committee was held under Hub Deputy Commissioner Jumma Dad Khan Mandokhail. It reviewed in detail the protection of children’s rights in Hub district, the elimination of child labour, bringing out-of-school children back into the education system, the prevention of child marriage, child abuse, malnutrition, drugs and other social problems.

Officers and representatives of the district administration, police, the Social Welfare Department, the Education Department, the Health Department, the Municipal Corporation and other relevant institutions attended the meeting. Several important decisions were taken to make coordination between institutions more effective, and to address the problems facing children and the existing child protection system.

The Deputy Commissioner said that protecting the basic rights of children was the shared responsibility of the state and society. He said providing children with education, health, a safe environment and a better future was among the government’s priorities, while violence, exploitation, forced labour or abuse of any kind against children was unacceptable. He said all institutions must work under a joint and coordinated strategy to tackle problems in the district such as child labour, physical and mental violence, sexual abuse, drugs, child marriage, malnutrition and out-of-school children.

Immediate FIR on complaint

The Deputy Commissioner clearly directed that if a parent or guardian reported a complaint of violence, sexual abuse, exploitation, kidnapping, forced labour or any other serious crime against a child, the police concerned must register an FIR immediately and take legal action without delay. He said no negligence or delay would be tolerated in cases involving children.

The meeting also reviewed child labour in different areas of Hub district. Participants said some children worked in workshops, garages, industrial and commercial centres, fishing-related sites and other sectors, while some orphaned and needy children were forced by financial hardship to work instead of going to school.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the departments concerned to set up an effective system of monitoring and surveys to prevent child labour, to identify children engaged in labour and to bring them back into the education system together with their parents and the institutions concerned. He also directed the Education Department to take comprehensive steps to identify out-of-school children and to run a special campaign to bring them back to school.

The meeting also discussed physical punishment of children in educational institutions, a safe learning environment, the prevention of child marriage, children’s mental and physical health, malnutrition and other matters.

Awareness walk, rally and billboards

The Deputy Commissioner said a strong awareness campaign should be run through social media on child protection laws and the facilities available, so that parents, children, teachers and citizens know where and how to file a complaint in case of any abuse or exploitation. He said content on children’s rights, prevention of child labour, awareness against violence and sexual abuse, the harms of child marriage, protection from drugs and the importance of education should be posted regularly on social media platforms.

He directed that a comprehensive awareness walk and rally on child protection be held in Hub district. He said the district administration, police, the Social Welfare Department, the Education Department, the Health Department, students, teachers, civil society, the business community, industrialists and other sections of society should be involved. He said effective messages should reach the public through banners, placards and other publicity material, and the campaign should also be highlighted on social media.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the Municipal Corporation Hub, together with the Social Welfare Department, the Education Department and child protection officials, to use billboards and advertising sites at key places in the city for the awareness campaign. He said messages on children’s rights, ending child labour, speaking out against abuse and the complaint procedure should be displayed prominently on them.

He said the awareness campaign should not be limited to government institutions. He said it was also necessary to make parents, teachers, students, the business community, industrialists, drivers, workshop owners and other sections of society aware of their responsibilities for child protection, because the child protection system was not the responsibility of any one institution.

The meeting agreed to ensure immediate registration of complaints concerning children, legal and medical assistance for affected children, psychological counselling as needed, a safe environment and swift legal action in serious cases. The Deputy Commissioner directed that the committee’s decisions be implemented and that he be kept regularly informed of progress. He said action would be taken according to law, without discrimination, against those involved in crimes against children.

At the end of the meeting, participants renewed their resolve to further strengthen cooperation between government institutions and civil society for the protection, education, health and welfare of children and the promotion of their basic rights in Hub district.

Photo: courtesy DGPR Balochistan