1. Cooperation for Child Rights in the Asia Pacific Region 4-6 November 2010, Beijing Reforming Child Protection and Welfare Systems in Pakistan Presentation by: Her Excellency Mrs. Samina Khalid Ghurki Minister for Social Welfare & Special Education GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN

2. Say Yes to Child Rights Movement in Pakistan (2002-04) Declaration of the Year 2004 as the Year of Child Welfare and Rights Juvenile Justice System Ordinance (JJSO 2000) Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance (2002) Child Labour Laws National Plan of Action for Children Achievements 1

3. Regional Consultation on Violence against Children (2005) South Asia forum for ending Violence Against Children (SAF) 2006 South Asia Initiative for ending Violence against children and women (SAIEVAC) 2010 Minimum Care standard for child care institutions National Strategy and Plan for Action for vulnerable children and women in Earthquake Affected area Cabinet Committee overseeing the issue of child camel Jockeys (Repatriation and Rehabilitation of 900 camel Jockeys children Achievements 2

4. Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act, 2004 Child Ombudsman – Federal and Provincial Levels. Reformation of laws through consultations National Core Group on Child abuse National/provincial governing bodies for Child Protection and Welfare Children parliament and Forums Help Lines (Public & Private sectors) Achievements 3

5. How progress achieved By undertaking effective legislative, policy, administrative and programmatic interventions including capacity building and sensitization. 4

6. Challenges Current systems are yet to made fully compliant with CRC and in the best interest of the child Lacks coherence and functional coordination Partially responsive to actual childs rights to protection and welfare Current system yet to made effective and more efficient 5

7. Challenges Legislative frameworks in process of reformation need urgent completion The institutional and administrative structures (governance) have limited powers and authority to implement the required reforming public policies, strategies, programmes. The actual capacities and capabilities of the child protection and welfare professionals are insufficiently developed. 6

8. Challenges Political will and leadership Actors: policy makers, decision makers, professionals, families, communities, CSOs & Children (Alliance building and Capacity) Resources: human and financial/Budget and budgeting processes Partnership – Regional & International Research and data analysis – Child Protection & Management Information System for evidence based policies and advocacy Management of the resources: Roles, monitoring and information systems, referrals and coordination mechanisms 7

9. Challenges Review domestic legislation for its compatibility with current challenges. Implementation of the LEGAL AND POLICY PROVISIONS Compatibility of different legal provisions (codes, jurisprudence) Security situation and natural calamities (Earthquake, flood, Sunami) 8

10. Partnership South-South Sharing and replication of best practices Enhancing future collaboration Promotion of regional efforts to address the issue of child and women trafficking Adopting Conventions for Child Protection Welfare and Rights. Learning & using the experience of already existing mechanisms in the Region. (SAARC mechanism & Conventions on Children, South Asia Initiative for Ending Violence Against Children SAIEVAC) 9

11. Partnership South-South Sharing of best practices, lessons learned and experiences. Foster stronger and expanded cooperation 10

12. Conclusion Reforming Child Protection and Welfare Systems takes time (an average of 10 yrs) Pakistan has been initiating the reforms recently (in a systematic way since 2000) Making the systems work is a prerequisite to make justice to children, particularly to those who are now excluded, living in poverty, marginalized and powerless. The HLM is an indubitable proof that the wellbeing of children is on the public agenda of the governments of the countries in Asia 11