Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) and Child Care Foundation (CCF) Pakistan seminar discusses civil society’s role in eradicating child labour

Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) and Child Care Foundation (CCF) Pakistan seminar discusses civil society’s role in eradicating child labour

LAHORE - Child labour is a very critical issue as it deprives children of education as well as the chance to have a childhood. This was stated by Punjab Chief Minister’s Advisor and Women Development and Social Welfare Minister Zakia Shahnawaz at a seminar held at the Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) on Child Education, titled ‘The role of education institutes and civil society in the education of underprivileged children in Pakistan’.
The programme was jointly organised by the LCWU and Child Care Foundation (CCF) Pakistan.
The event was held to celebrate the Child Care Foundation’s 17-year fight against child labour through quality education and rehabilitation of the children working in Pakistan.
LCWU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Sabiha Mansoor said the work done by the CFF was inspiring. She stated that there was a need to reaffirm faith in human kindness and to pledge to work for promoting humanity and tolerance.
“About half of our country is living below the poverty line and children are forced to earn their wages through hard physical labour instead of getting an education,” she said.
She stated that various LCWU department were willing to adopt three CCF schools. Zakia Shahnawaz apologised for the chief minister’s inability to attend the seminar and congratulated the LCWU and CFF for organising a seminar on such a critical issue.
She said the slogan ‘Educate Pakistan. Save Pakistan’, provided the solution for many of the country’s problems.
She stated that there was a need for greater local sector investment and public mobility for sustained social development. She also assured of the Punjab government’s complete support to CFF projects.
CCF Chairman Dr Pervaiz Hassan expressed his gratitude for the support shown by the LCWU and said he needed allies in his struggle to eradicate child labour. He said in poor countries like Pakistan, child labour could not be banned as it had been in Bangladesh, as many children worked after school to supplement their family income.
He stated that the CCF was giving children a chance to get an education and work at light jobs as well.
CCF Pakistan Goodwill Ambassador Justice (r) Nasira Javed Iqbal said education is a matter of life and death for Pakistan.
Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education Secretary Dr Pervaiz Ahmad Khan said child labour and child education are pertinent issues in today’s world. He said the CCF aimed to provide education to all, but poverty and other social constraints proved to be hurdles in this quest.
Punjab Education Foundation Chairman Raja Anwar spoke about the difficulties faced by the underprivileged half of our society and by his department in their goal to ensure quality education for all.
Kinnaird College for Women Principal Dr Rukhsana David also elaborated on the plight of children and the hazards they are subjected to in dismal working conditions.
Earlier, six CFF students representing six districts of Punjab and Sindh performed a tableau that gave the message of promoting education.
A pictorial documentary elaborating the plight of children working at brick kilns and other business was also shown. Amna Yousaf, who was formerly a labourer but now teaches in Nankana Sahib, was invited to share her inspiring story. She said she belonged to a poor family but was able to get an education through the CFF.
CCF Chief Executive Officer Yasmeen Zaki made the closing speech thanked the speakers, participants and contributors. Souvenirs of appreciation were also presented to all the speakers by the chief guest.