ISLAMABAD: The International Labor Organization (ILO) concluded the Asia Regional Child Labor (ARC) project, supported by the UK Government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, with a closing event held in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The ceremony brought together a diverse range of stakeholders to showcase the project’s achievements, best practices, and knowledge products in mitigating child labor vulnerabilities and strengthening protections against exploitation from 2020 to 2024.
Guillermo Montt, Officer-in-Charge of the ILO Country Office for Pakistan, emphasized the urgency of addressing child labor, highlighting that every child deserves a childhood free from exploitation and toil. Alarming rates of child labor, affecting up to 13 percent of children aged 5 to 14, were noted, perpetuating cycles of poverty and marginalization.
Ali Naqvi, Social Development Adviser at the British High Commission, commended the project’s efforts and stressed the need for policy adjustments and cultural shifts to protect children’s welfare. He advocated for proactive measures, high-quality accessible education, and gender parity as crucial elements in combating child labor, emphasizing a commitment to a brighter future for Pakistani children.
The event highlighted various policy and legislative initiatives to combat child labor, including the revision of hazardous work lists for children in Punjab, the enactment of the Domestic Workers Act in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) in 2022, and proposed amendments to the Pakistan Penal Code to prohibit child labor in domestic settings.
Collaborative efforts between the ILO and UNICEF to draft evidence-based, multi-sectoral child labor policies and action plans were also emphasized. Partnerships were celebrated as key to achieving sustainable results, with the collaboration between the ILO and the Pakistan Girl Guides Association highlighted as particularly effective.
Maria Sabri, National Commissioner, emphasized the integrated approach of the initiative, which trained 20,000 guides in schools to mobilize around 80,000 peers at the grassroots level. Through programs like “Each One Teach One,” thousands of children engaged in or at risk of child labor were supported in transitioning to formal education, and vulnerable families were linked with local social protection schemes.
The event showcased outcomes and lessons learned through live presentations and short films from various organizations, including the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association, the Punjab Domestic Workers Union, and the Child Protection Institute-ICT.
Rabea Haadi, Director General of the Child Protection Institute-ICT, expressed gratitude for the ILO’s technical assistance in enhancing institutional capacities.
In addition to formal presentations, a theatre performance and song raised awareness about the adverse effects of child labor, highlighting the roles of stakeholders and law enforcement agencies in safeguarding children from exploitation.
