National Plan of Action For Children

DRAFT NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION FOR CHILDREN -- 2005
National Commission for Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD)

Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare and special Education
Government of Pakistan
Islamabad
National Action Plan for Children Pakistan 2005
List of Abbreviations
AEPAM Academy for Educational Planning and Management
AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
AJK Azad Jammu and Kashmir
ARI Acute Respiratory Infection
BFHI Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative
BHU Basic Health Unit
BLC Bunyad Literacy community Commission
BPEP Balochistan Primary Education Project
CCF Care Foundation of Pakistan
CDC Communicable Disease Control
CDD Control of Diarrhoeal Diseases
CEA Community Education and Action
CPNE Council of Pakistan News Papers Editors
CRC Convention on the Rights of Child
DBMS District Based Monitoring System
DFID Department for International Development
DWE Directorate of Workers Education
ECE Early Childhood Education
EDGs End-Decade Goals
EDRs End Decade Review
EFA Education For All
EFP Employers’ Federation of Pakistan
EFYP Eight Five-Year Plan
EMIS Education Management Information System
EPI Expanded Programme of Immunization
ESR Education Sector Reforms
FANA Federally Administered Northern Areas
FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas
FBS Federal Bureau of Statistics
FWCW Fourth World Conference on Women
GAVI Global Alliance for the Vaccines and Immunization
GEUP Gender Equality Umbrella Project
GOP Government Of Pakistan
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HMIS Health Management Information System
ICPD International Conference on Population and Development
IDA International Development Agency
IDD Iodine Deficiency Disorders
IEC Information Education Communication
IMC Implementation and Monitoring Committee
IMCI Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses
IPC Inter Personal Communication
ISP Internet services providers
LG&RDD Local Government & Rural Development Department
MDG Mid Decade Goals
MDR Mid Decade Review
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MICS Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

MOH Ministry Of Health
NCC National Coordinating Committee
NCC National Core Committee
NCCWD National Commission for Child Welfare and Development
NCHS National Center for Health Statistics
NCRDP National Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled
NEAs National Education Assessment System
NEP National Education Policy
NFE Non Formal Education
NGO Non Government Organization
NIDs National Immunization Days
NIH National Institute of Health
NPA National Plan of Action
NPA National Programme of Action
NTCDP National Training Center for Disabled Persons
NTD National Trust for the Disabled
NWFP North West Frontier Province
ORT Oral Rehydration Treatment
PBM Pakistan Baitul Maal
PCCWDs Provincial Commissions for Child Welfare and Development
PCRDP Provincial Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled
PDHS Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey
PEACESs Provincial Education Assessment Centers
PHC Primary Health Care
PIHS Pakistan Integrated Household Survey
PILER Pakistan Institute of Labor Education and Research
PLC Pakistan Literacy Commission
PPA Pediatric Association of Pakistan
PRS Poverty Reduction Strategy
PTA Parent Teacher Association
PTSMCs Parent Teacher Management Committees
PWP Population Welfare Program
SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation
SAP Social Action Programme
SCCI Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry
SCs School Councils
SIMA Surgical Instruments Manufacturing Association
SMCs School Management Committees
SPARC Society for Protection of the Rights of the Child
SSC Special Session on Children
TBA Traditional Birth Attendant
TGMs Technical Group Meetings
TOR Terms Of Reference
TT Tetanus Toxoid
TTP Teachers Training Program
UCI Universal Children Immunization
UN United Nations
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
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UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UNFPA United Nations Family Planning Association
UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
USAID United States Agency for International Development
WCEFA World Conference on Education for All
WHO World Health Organization
WSC World Summit for Children
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Table of Contents
List of Abbreviation ................................................................................................. ii-iv
Background ............................................................................................................... 1-3
Introduction ............................................................................................................... 4-6
Situation analysis – State of Children ................................................................... 7-38
A. Health ............................................................................................................ 7
B. AIDS/HIV ................................................................................................... 14
C. Education .................................................................................................... 15
D. General and Special Protection ................................................................... 32
E. Commercial and Sexual Exploitation ........................................................ 37
Plan of Action ........................................................................................................ 39-96
A. Promoting Healthy Lives ............................................................................ 39

B. Combating AIDS/HIV ................................................................................ 52
C. Providing Quality Education....................................................................... 57
D. General and Special Protection ................................................................... 72
E.
National Plan of Action for Children ................................................................ 97-104
Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms........................................................ 105-106
Annexures .......................................................................................................... 113-158
1. National Child Policy.................................................................................. 107

2. Convention of the Rights of Child .............................................................. 113
3. The Yokohama Global Commitment ......................................................... 131
4. A World Fit for Children ............................................................................ 133
5. Stockholm Declaration and Agenda for Action .......................................... 157
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Background
Children in Pakistan remain among the most vulnerable part of the population. Most
indicators confirm that they face serious disadvantages in the realm of economic and
social development. However it is possible to improve the coverage and quality of social
services for children through firm political commitment and action, in partnership with
domestic and international partners. The pay-off of interventions – ensuring long-term
Economic growth in Pakistan, achieving the social goals of the Millennium Declaration
and realizing the rights of every child – makes investing in children excellent economic
sense.
There is a close relationship between poverty and children. Reducing child poverty is
essential for beginning of poverty reduction in the community as a whole. A second
reason to focus on children is that early childhood offers a critical opportunity to
influence the intellectual, physical and emotional development of human beings. The
detrimental effects of missing this one-time opportunity are often irreversible. For
example, nutrition in utero and in early childhood is closely connected with brain
development. The nutrition, children receive in the early months and years, determines to
a large extent their cognitive skills and educational performance later in life. Similarly,
effects of disease in the early years can prevent children from reaching their full
intellectual and physical potential.
The third argument in favor of investing in children is that poor children usually grow up
to raise poor children of their own. When children start life with all the disadvantages of
poor health, inadequate nutrition and low education, there are fewer opportunities for
them to move out of poverty. When they start new families, their own poverty will
manifest itself in the next generation. For example, malnourished women tend to have
babies with low birth weight, and illiterate parents cannot assist their children with
schoolwork. A fourth reason why poverty reduction must begin with children is that they
are powerless. A good indicator of a country’s level of development is the way it treats its
most vulnerable members. Young children depend on adults to make decisions on their
behalf and rarely have the means to challenge such decisions. They are not only the most
vulnerable to poverty related problems but also disproportionately pay the price of being
poor. There is, therefore, a moral imperative for governments to reduce the burden borne
by children. A fifth and critical reason is that investing in children is not an option. The
Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by 191 countries, obliges those
governments to ensure that the children’s rights it specifies are fully met. These include
the right to good health, nutrition, education and an adequate standard of living. The task
of ensuring that all children fully enjoy their rights appears daunting, but the Pakistan has
the capacity to make it happen. What is required is a move from political rhetoric to
resource mobilization and action for all children. Stated political commitment must
translate into financial resources, policy reform and operational programs if children’s
rights are to be realized and the inter-generational cycle of poverty broken. Of course,
government action alone will not end poverty for children. However, by ensuring
universal access to basic social services of good quality, governments can provide the
foundation to ensure that all children get the best possible start in life. Increased
investment in children should occur in the context of administrative and legal reforms to
support child friendly initiatives, greater participation of people in social and economic
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activities and enhanced access of populations to the means of production and micro-
credit.
The National Plan of Action for children (NPA) is a commitment of the Pakistan
government towards its children for the next decade. The First National Plan of Action
for Children was implemented in the 1990s on the basis of the targets set forth in the 1990
World Summit for Children. In the End of Decade Review Report (EDR) released by the
UN Secretary General in May 2001, Pakistan's first National Plan of Action for Children
received criticism for being extremely un-participative during its formulation because of
which people working at various levels in the state with children were unable to
contribute towards developing the action plan. Moreover, the action plan was also
evaluated as not being rights-based and rights-focused. The statistical indices in the report
demonstrated that Pakistan's progress fell significantly short of the targets set by the
World Summit for Children. Except for access to the potable water (coverage close to 83
per cent), "all the indicators lag substantially behind the NPA targets and those set out in
the 1990 World Summit for children, and are unlikely to be met in the next several
decades at the current rate of development," the report remarked. The report stressed that
in order to overcome these shortcomings, it needs to elicit participation from all regional
resources working with children such as district officials and the civil society.
The Second Plan of Action for Children that has now been developed by the government
with the assistance of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) aims to use a new
approach whereby the new NPA has been formulated through elaborate consultations at
the regional, provincial and district levels. UNICEF has provided technical support and
consultants to assist the provincial social welfare departments. The government has also
conducted workshops to evolve a process and methodology for the provincial and district
planning workshops to ensure that these are focused, participatory, objective and outcome
driven and task oriented. The workshops were designed to ensure the child participation
in the planning process. With committed efforts by the Pakistan government to rectify the
shortcomings of the first national plan of action for children, the second plan now holds a
lot of promises for children in Pakistan. To ensure that the new NPA fully rectifies the
earlier shortcomings, it now elicits participation of the new players including district
governments, TMA and civil society. NPA was being dovetailed to the Poverty Reduction
Strategy Papers (PRSP), which too are being prepared by the provincial and federal
governments and would reflect major policy commitments for economic development in
the medium term (3 to 5 years). Government of Pakistan has shown its strong
commitment to the rights of children, as during the preceding years Pakistan actively
participated in the SAARC Girl child symposium in July 2001 and UNGASS in May
2002. Government along with full participation of all stakeholders including children
themselves has launched various interventions, based on a “World Fit for Children”
special session outcome document in the first half of year 2002. During the preceding
years, Government has committed a lot of efforts in favor of children e.g.;
1. Public debate on issues such as child labor, basic health and education, children
need, child abuse and juvenile justice.
2. School & health institution campaign on CRC rights awareness.
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3. Introductory orientation on children issues of all district Governments, elected

councilors and administration. Appreciable work has been undertaken with these
initiatives e.g. a journalist grassroots network is in place and functioning.
4. Media development forum meetings held at different places of the country.
5. Orientation meetings forum for local NGOs on juvenile justice, child labor and
registration at birth.
6. District level promotional level competition programs on the awareness of CRC
among school children.
7. Celebration of universal children day.
On December 28 and 29 2004 the Government organized a consultation of stake holders

to look at depth into the draft National Plan of Action and make recommendations for
fine tuning the recommendations. The stake holder represented civil society, academia,
donors, policy makers and children. The stakeholders made specific recommendations in
the areas of education, health, HIV/AIDS, Special and General Protection. This document
reflects the recommendations made by the different groups.
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Introduction
On 29-30 September 1990, the largest gathering of the World Leaders in history
assembled at the United Nations to attend the World Summit for Children. Pakistan was
one of the six-initiator countries for the World Summit for Children. The outcome was
the World Declaration and Plan of Action, which established guiding principles and a set
of goals for the year 2000. The Convention on the Rights of Child though is a Charter of
Human Rights because it elaborates the rights of the children, but in itself, it does not
have the legal status of domestic or international law. However for meeting with the
committed obligations to implement the convention, countries mostly introduced
domestic legislation for implementing the aspects of the convention. Pakistan ratified the
Convention in September 1990 with the reservation that any clause should not be
contradictory to the Islamic Law. A group of eminent scholars and researchers examined
and compared clauses of the Convention and declared that no CRC clause was in any
conflict with Pakistan law and relevant Islamic Laws. Subsequently on recommendation
of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Council of Islamic Ideology and decision of the
Federal Cabinet, the Pakistan Government withdrew the reservation on 23rd July 1997 and
actively accelerated follow up and implementation of the obligations undertaken in the
Convention.
The Outcome of the WSC was Declaration on Survival, Protection and Development of
Children and a Plan of Action for implementing the declaration in the 1990s. As Follow
up to the WSC and to transform the international commitments of WSC, NPA was
prepared. National indicators and targets to achieve WSC goals were tabulated with
indication of financial resources required. NPA was not a special or additional
programme for children but represents the longer term perspective for planned response
to their unmet basic human needs conceived in context of SAP which was among main
thrust of the 8th plan.
The Government of Pakistan and UNICEF jointly undertook a Multiple Indicator Cluster
Survey (MICS) for End Decade Review in 2001. Ministry of Health administered the
survey being the focal point. Federal Bureau of Statistics, Planning Division and other
related ministries were involved in finalization of the technical details.
The End Decade Review is an important follow-up because it assessed the fulfillment of
development goals set at the 1990 World Summit for Children. The objective was to
advance children’s basic survival, protection, development and participation by
completion of the unfinished agenda of the 1990s and through identification of future
strategies and interventions.
All civil society players have actively engaged and played a central role in the EDR and
in development of SSC 2001 activities. The major NGOs were on National and Provincial
Steering Committees. National NGOs contributed to the Report through their response in
the matrix questionnaire. NGOs also conducted a number of activities to raise awareness
of child rights.
EDR tabulated the national indicators and targets and also identified the financial
resources required for this. The policy planners framed the NPA, not as a “special or
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additional programme for children”. The process of NPA formulation was quite limited. It
was completed in a relatively short period by a small team of people without much
consultation. Provincial participation was virtually nil. Various sectoral activities
envisaged in the NPA were incorporated in the Social Action Program (SAP), which were
part of the national planning process. In this sense NPA was able to influence the national
planning process, although NPA itself was not fully internalized. It may be the reason
why no provincial level PAs were formulated. The reasons for slow progress in
implementation of NPA were resource constraints and an unstable security environment
in the region. This meant that resource allocation for a number of development goals did
not correspond with the political commitment. The situation was further complicated
because of the political uncertainty in the country during most of the period under review.
It was realized that the next NPA must elicit participation of the new players including
district governments, TMA and civil society. Initial plans need to be attempted in all
provinces and some districts. The NPA should take a cognizance of and be approached
from a rights based perspective. NPA development must involve Planning and
Development Departments and Finance Departments under the provincial governments
and respective Ministries to ensure that the goals and strategies being incorporated in the
NPA and the national child policy are in line with the “perspective Plans” and are backed
by financial commitments.
This National Program of Action (NPA) for children in Pakistan has developed set targets
and indicators to assess progress towards the achievement of the Goals and will also
envisage a process of monitoring progress towards the achievement of the Goals through
the development of a system to measure changes in the status of the indicators. The basic
aims of developing this NPAC (National Plan of Action for Children) are the following:
o Put children first

o Fight poverty: invest in children
o Leave no child behind
o Care for every child
o Educate every child
o Protect children from harm and exploitation
o Protect children from war
o Combat HIV/AIDS
o Listen to children and ensure their participation
o Protect the earth for children
Along with the NPAC, a National Child Policy has also been evolved [please see the
Annexure].
This NPA is in line with the Child Survival Strategy for Pakistan 2005 and the National
Nutrition Strategic Plan 2005, prepared by the Ministry of Health. The elements of the
Child Survival Strategy for Pakistan 2005 and the interventions pertaining to children in
the National Nutrition Strategic Plan 2005 are assumed to reinforce the strategic thrust of
the NPA.
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The NPA works in close collaboration with governmental and non-governmental

agencies. The NPA is composed of government representatives from the Ministries of
Planning and development, women development, social welfare and special education,
Information, law, Health, Education, as well as NGO coalition representatives and
UNICEF. The NPA envisages:
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Situation Analysis – The State of Children
A. HEALTH
Despite a grim economic picture, the country has been striving to achieve targets set for
child survival, protection and development. Malnutrition has been marginally reduced;
immunization levels are generally being maintained or increased, measles deaths are
down by 80% compared to pre-immunization levels, large areas of the country have
become free of polio. Iodized salt and Vitamin A administration have been introduced at
a mass scale, the use of oral re-hydration therapy (ORT) is rising, hospital facilities are
actively supporting breastfeeding and progress in health education has been encouraging.
Access to safe drinking water and sanitary means of disposal has raised both in the urban
and rural areas.
Table 1: Important Health Indicators:
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 82 per 1000 live births

Under 5 Mortality Rate (2002) 105 per 1000 live births
Maternal Mortality Rate 350-400 per 100,000 live births
Source: Pakistan Economic Survey 2003-04
Table 2: Public Sector Expenditure on Health and Population Welfare
Public Sector 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-4

Expenditure on In Million In Million In Million In Million In Million
Health Rupees Rupees Rupees Rupees Rupees
(Federal Plus
Provincial)
Development 5887 5944 6688 6609 8500
Expenditure
Current 16190 18337 18717 22205 24305
Expenditure
Total Expenditure 22077 24281 25405 28814 32805
Percent of GNP 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.84
Source: Economic Survey of Pakistan 2002
Health Care Programs

Following primary health programs have continued for survival and development of the
children:
1. Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)

2. Control of Diarrheal Diseases (CDD)
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3. National Program for Family Planning and Primary Health Care

4. National Nutrition Programme
5. Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) control Program
6. Malaria Control Program / Roll Back Malaria
7. National Tuberculosis Control Program
8. Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative / Breast Feeding Promotion
9. IDD Control Program
10. Vitamin A Deficiency Control Program
11. Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) in Pakistan
12. Reproductive Health Program (Maternal and Child Health)
13. National HIV/AIDS Control Program
Health Services in Pakistan

The Health Sector in Pakistan consists of the public sector and the private sector. Total
Spending on health care exceeds 3% of GDP of which 70% is through private sector and
30% through the public sector.
More than 75 % people use private sector health services for their outpatient care needs.
Those practicing allopathic system of medicine dominate the private sector, but it also
includes homeopaths, hakims (indigenous / traditional healers).
There are more than 12,454 health facilities in the country. A well developed network of
Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities include 4507 Basic Health Units (BHUs), 541 Rural
Health Centers (RHCs), 879 Maternal & Child Health (MCH) Centers, 4625
Dispensaries. At the secondary level, there are 907 Hospitals.
More than 70% of the patients utilizing primary health facilities are women and children.
Immunization
EPI (Expanded Program on Immunization) program is running effectively, with broader
but variable coverage in various districts of the country. EPI aims to reduce morbidity and
mortality amongst children under 1 year of age, due to vaccine preventable diseases
namely Poliomyelitis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tuberculosis, Tetanus, Hepatitis & Measles.
Hepatitis B has been introduced countrywide in EPI program since 2002. Polio is near
eradication because of intense supplementary immunization activities (NIDs and SNIDs)
in addition to regular EPI program. The access of the program has increased and the
coverage figures are given in table 3.
Table 3: Coverage of EPI

ANTIGEN Coverage
1996 2001 2002
DPT3-OPV3 77% 76% 69%
BCG 93% 93% 86%
Measles 78% 76% 68%
Source: GAVI & Federal EPI cell Islamabad
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Polio Eradication in Pakistan

Interruption of polio virus transmission in Pakistan is critical to the success of the global
effort. Pakistan is part of the largest global poliovirus reservoir that includes India, and
Afghanistan, also. Virus transmission within Pakistan and across open borders with
Afghanistan has been a source of virus importation into neighboring Iran and other Polio-
free countries in the Middle East as recently as mid 2000.
There were 90 polio confirmed cases in 2002 that included 74 wild P1 isolates and 24
wild P3 isolates. Districts with wild poliovirus isolates were 33. Distribution of confirmed
polio cases by province was Punjab-11, Sindh- 39, NWFP-33 and Balochistan-7.
There were four districts, which had a polio compatible case but no wild poliovirus
isolate. These are Chitral (NWFP), Pishin (Balochistan), Shikarpur and Badin (Sindh).
For the year-to-date, the surveillance system has detected 1790 acute flaccid paralysis
cases. Key surveillance indicators for the country are satisfactory with non-polio AFP rate
of 2.5 and adequate stool collection rate of 86% for 2002, and 1.4 and 91% for 2003 in
the same order.
In addition to routine polio vaccination under EPI, there had been National Immunization
Days through the country at the rate of 2 rounds per year since 1994 to 2002. More over
there have been two SNIDs during 2001 and one SNID, two rounds of HRAC and one
mop up round during the year 2002.
Introduction of Hepatitis B Vaccination

Vaccination of Hepatitis B was introduced in EPI with effect from July 2001- with the
help of grant assistance from Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).
Pakistan is the first country selected for such assistance. Hepatitis B vaccination has
become an integral part of routine EPI since 2002 in the whole country.
Food and Nutrition

Great threat to the physical & mental well being of children comes from malnourishment.
Malnutrition early in life is linked to deficits in children’s intellectual development,
leaving them ill prepared to take maximum advantage of learning opportunities at school.
Malnourished children are also more likely to die as a result of common childhood
diseases than children who are adequately nourished.
The recent National Nutrition Survey 2001-02 (Government of Pakistan, UNICEF &
PIDE) shows an improvement in levels of malnutrition, with an average of 41.5%
underweight compared with 51.5% in National Nutrition Survey of 1985-86.
Table 4 shows the different indicators reflecting malnutrition conditions in Pakistan
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Table 4: Prevalence of Malnutrition in Pakistan

Indicators 1985-87 2001-02
Low Birth Weight
Proportion of live births that weigh below 2500 gms. 28 21
STUNTING PREVALENCE
Proportion of under 5 who fall below 2 and below minus 3 standard
deviations from median height for age of NCHS/WHO reference
population. 42 40
UNDERWEIGHT PREVALENCE
Proportion of under 5 who fall below minus 2 and below minus 3,
Standard deviation from median weight for age of NCHS/WHO
reference population. 48 37
WASTING PREVALENCE
Proportion of under 5 who fall below minus 2 and below minus 3
Standard deviation from median weight for height of NCHS/WHO 11 15
reference population.
Source: National Nutrition Strategic Plan (2005)
Breast Feeding
A UNICEF supported programme of promotion, protection and support of breast-feeding
was started through Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) in teaching hospitals and
health facilities of the provinces during 1995. It was expanded to district hospitals in the
following years. There is no separate budget allocation for breast-feeding promotion, as it
is an integral part of health education. Proportion of breastfed children is given in table 5.
Table 5: Percentage of Breastfed Children 2000:

Percentage of Breastfed Children 2000
Exclusively Breastfed (0-3 months) 16%
Breastfed with complimentary food (6-9 months) 31%
Still breast feeding (20-23 months) 56%
Diarrhea incidence and Oral Rehydration therapy

Diarrhea is a major killer of children under 05 years which is closely followed by acute
respiratory infections (ARI). Program to effectively control the Diarrhoeal diseases and
ARI was initiated with the assistance of international agencies. Under this program
following activities have been undertaken:
1. Development of simplified and specific treatment protocols

2. Printing and wide distribution of these protocols
3. Training to all level of services providers for better patient management
4. Development / modification of information system for these diseases for
better data management.
Incidence of diarrhea is reported in table 6.
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Table 6: Diarrhea Incidence and ORT use

Indicator Indicator Definition Number
Under-five deaths from Annual number of under five deaths due to 173,000
Diarrhea diarrhea
Diarrhea cases Average annual number of episodes of 16.0
diarrhea per child under five years of age
ORT Use Proportion of children 0-59 months of age who 54.00
had Diarrhoeal in the last 2 weeks who were
treated with Oral Rehydration Salt or an
appropriate household solution.
Acute Respiratory Tract Infections

Acute respiratory tract infections account for more than quarter of all the childhood
illnesses incidence of ARI. In the year 2000, 43.7% of all the health problems (Priority
Diseases) were related to upper respiratory tract. ARI can be life threatening to infants
and young children if timely and appropriate treatment is not provided. A national
program for ARI control has been launched with emphasis on adopting WHO
standardized guidelines of treatment, awareness on seeking medical care once respiratory
symptoms appear in a young child.
Population Welfare Program (PWP)

Population Welfare Program is providing information and services to the target
population to encourage voluntary adoption of birth spacing. The situation regarding the
contraceptive prevalence has been increased in Pakistan as the table 7 reflects it;
Table 7: Contraceptive Prevalence and Fertility Rate in Pakistan:

Base Line Latest
Indicator Definition
1990 2002
Contraceptive Proportion of women aged 15-49 who are using (or
Prevalence Rate whose partner is using) a contraceptive method 12.0 23.9
Fertility Rate for Number of live births to women aged 15-49 per one 1000
Women (15 – 19) women aged 15-19 84.0 61.0
Average number of life births per woman who has
Total Fertility Rate 6.2 4.9
reached the end of her child bearing period
Source: Pakistan National report on follow up to the world summit for children NCCWD, MOWD, SW and
SE, Islamabad 2001.
Major activities undertaken under the head of population welfare are:

1. Service Delivery Infrastructure,
2. Social Marketing and Civil Society
3. Advocacy, information, education, and communication.
4. Capacity building
5. Research programme
6. Monitoring and Evaluation
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Budget Allocation for Population Welfare Programme

During the previous five years there is an increase of 11 percent in budget provision for
population welfare programme as is depicted by the table 8;
Table 8: Comparison of Budget Provision for Population Welfare

Programme during 1995-96 and 2004-05:
Year Budget Allocation
1995-96 1.98 billion
2000-01 2.20 billion
2004-05 2.59 billion
Source: Ministry of Population / Economic Survey of Pakistan 2004
National Program for Family Planning and Primary Health Care (Lady
Health Workers Program)
The Program was launched in 1994 and Rs.1791 million were allocated for 2002-03.
Program aims at delivering basic health services at doorsteps of unprivileged segment of
society through development of LHWs living in their own localities. It has recruited
69,254 LHWs to achieve Universal health coverage in providing preventive and curative
services at the doorstep of the community.
Expansion of the Tuberculosis Control Program:

Pakistan has the sixth largest burden of tuberculosis in the world. The TB incidence at
present is 177 per 100,000 populations.
National Malaria Control Program/Roll Back Malaria

Main objective of program is to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality to a level where it
is no longer considered as a major health problem in Pakistan. The current provisional
figures show annual parasite incidence as 0.62 cases per 1000 population. Over 500,000
malaria cases occur annually.
Target: Reduce malaria morbidity (annual parasite incidence) by 50% over the next five
years.
Women Health Project

The project has been launched throughout the country with total outlay of Rs.3750
million in July 2000 with the Asian Development Bank assistance. The project aims at
improving the health nutrition and social status of women and girls by developing
Women – Friendly Health Systems in 20 Districts of Pakistan.
Tawana Pakistan Program

The Program has been initiated for school going girl child and aims at improving the
nutritional status through providing cooked food at home, de-worming tablets and
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nutritional information and education. The program has been started in extremely
marginalized areas 20 districts of Pakistan. This project will not only enhance nutritional
status of girls but will also lead to increased enrollment of girls in primary schools. This
is a sustainable program, based firmly on family and community support.
DRINKING WATER AND SAFE SANITATION
Universal access to clean drinking water and safe sanitation has been increased
remarkably during the past few years. Safe water, clean environment and adequate
sanitation are crucial to ensure the survival and health rights of children. Providing
universal access to safe drinking water and sanitary excreta disposal; and to control
water-borne diseases are goals set by the WSC. Many sources of drinking water are
utilized in Pakistan, which vary from province to province. Although universal access to
clean drinking water and sanitation has not been achieved, but Pakistan has made
considerable progress in this field, as is evident from the table 9 and 10:
Table 9: Proportion of population having access to safe drinking water

Indicator Population Baseline Latest
Type 1990 2000
Properties of population who use any of the
following types of water supply for drinking: Urban 80% 96%
 Piped water
 Public Tap
 Borehole/pump Rural 45% 84%
 Well(Protected/covered)
 Protected spring
 Rainwater Overall 66% 90%
Table 10: Percentage of population having access to hygiene means of sanitation

Indicator Population Baseline Latest
Type 1990 2000
Proportion of population who use any of the
following types of sanitation facilities:
 Toilet connected to sewerage system. Urban 55% 94%
 Connection to septic system
 Any other flush toilet (Private or public)
 Simple pit
 Ventilated Improved pit latrine.
 Traditional pit or latrine, open pit latrine
 Pour-flush latrine, bucket latrine.
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B. AIDS/HIV
Pakistan began testing for AIDS as early as 1986 at the National Institute of Health,
Islamabad. There are 1741 HIV infected and 231 AIDS cases reported to the National
AIDS programme against 3.526 million tests carried out up till 30th September 2002 on
the recommended categories for diagnosis (volunteers, suspected /referred cases), routine
blood screening before transfusion and surveillance
However, on the basis of above figures the present estimated number of HIV positive
cases in Pakistan using WHO/UNAIDS computer model may be from 50,000 to 80,000.
Table 11 shows the prevalence of AIDS and table 12 reports the number of HIV positive
cases in children in Pakistan.
Table 11: AIDS Cases in Children in Pakistan

Percent of total
Age Male Female Total
AIDS cases
00-04 02 03 05 2.16
05-09 02 - 02 0.87
10-14 - - - -
15-19 01 - 01 0.433
Table 12: Distribution of HIV Positive cases in Children in Pakistan

Age HIV Positive Percent of total HIV positive
cases
04 24 1.38
05-14 08 0.40
15-19 14 0.8
Measures Taken by the Government to Combat AIDS
 Forty Six Screening centers have been established, surveillance activities are
under progress. 3259 HIV screening kits have been distributed. Messages are
being given on media.
 Four voluntary counseling and testing centers is in progress at the following
public sector facilities: Services Hospital Lahore, Lady Reading Hospital,
Peshawar, District Head Quarters Hospital Sukkur, and Sandamen Hospital,
Quetta.
 Following NGOs are also providing voluntary counseling services: ORA
Peshawar, Aahang and Fatmid Foundation, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and
Multan, DARES Quetta and Message, Lahore.
 The government has taken the following preventive measures:
 The first is public health education. The Government wants to apprise the people
through newspapers, radio, television and seminars, of the fatal effects of AIDS.
Second they are engaged in legislation concerning safe blood transfusion.
 Laws would soon be presented in the Cabinet. Under the new laws, only screened
blood could be given to the patient. 46 laboratories have been set up which offer
free of charge blood test.
14
C. EDUCATION
Education is a human right with immense power to transform at individual and collective
levels. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy, well-being and
sustainable human development. It is truly a multi-sectoral endeavour.
Education and poverty are inextricably linked which is well documented in the Poverty
Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) analysis for Pakistan. . Education develops intellectual
capacity and social skills, and children who complete at least five years of schooling,
considered as the minimum for achieving basic literacy and numeracy are better equipped
to move out of poverty. As households become impoverished, older children are often
pulled out of school to supplement family income and support their younger siblings
Levels of education correlate with income levels and with the ability to hold a job in the
formal sector. Education statistics is reported in table 13.
Table 13: Education Sector Indicators

Indicators 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05*
Literacy Male 61.3 63.0 64.0 66.3
Female 36.8 38.0 39.0 41.8
Total 49.0 50.0 51.6 54.0
GER – Primary Enrolment 14,105,007 14,560,341 15,093,960 16,090,875 16,573,601
(Public + Private) Population 17,855,000 18,129,000 18,574,000 19,064,000 19,460,000
(5-9)
GER 79.0% 80.3% 81.3% 84.4% 85.2%
NER – Primary Enrolment 11,284,006 11,648,273 12,075,168 12,872,700 13,258,881
(public + Private) Population 17,855,000 18,129,000 18,574,000 19,064,000 19,604,000
(5-9)
NER 63.2% 64.3% 65.0% 75.5% 79.5%
Private Sector Primary Private 4,705,968 4,941,266 5,188,341 5,828,337 6,003,187
enrolment as %age of total %Age 33.4% 33.9% 34.4% 36.2% 36.2%
Percentage of Trained Total 613,879 638,923 658,300 625,365 644,126
Teachers (public) Trained 601,565 626,543 649,353 618,848 637,413
%age 98.0% 98.1% 98.6% 99.0% 99.0%
Pupil Primary** Enrolment 9,849,904 9,897,285 10,268,721 10,909,651 11,236,941
Teacher Teachers 330,660 331,798 347,221 329,977 329,317
Ratio P/T Ratio 29.8 29.8 29.6 33.1 34.1
(Public) Middle Enrolment 2,119,724 2,307,279 2,363,406 2,387,148 2,458,762
Teachers 100,106 115,029 115,444 109,322 110,415
P/T Ratio 21.2 20.1 20.5 21.8 22.3
High Enrolment 4,054,520 3,975,720 4,033,651 4,230,858 4,357,784
Teachers 162,835 167,891 170,508 162,368 161,881
P/T Ratio 24.9 23.7 23.7 26.1 26.9
Higher Sec Enrolment 579,179 595,855 611,330 663,498 683,403
Teachers 20,278 24,205 25,127 23,698 24,101
P/T Ratio 28.6 24.6 24.3 28.0 28.4
Total Enrolment 16,603,327 16,776,139 17,277,108 18,191,155 18,736,890
Teachers 613,879 638,923 658,300 625,365 625,714
P/T Ratio 27.0 26.3 26.2 29.1 29.9
Source: Pakistan Economic Survey (2000-02 to 2003-04)
15
Girls’ education
Study after study has demonstrated that providing education for girls is one of the best
strategies for breaking the cycle of poverty and disempowerment on account of greater
externalities. Educated girls have greater capacity to apply their learning to their decision
making at home and at place of work. They marry later in life and are more likely to
space pregnancies. As a result, they tend to have fewer children and are more likely to
seek medical attention for themselves and their children. They are better informed about
good nutrition and childcare. Women who were educated are far more likely to enroll
their own children in primary school. Educating children, particularly girls, is therefore a
central plank to the strategy of breaking inter-generational cycle of poverty.
Despite Islamic injunctions, which makes the requisition of knowledge obligatory for
Muslims, our low educational status is reflected in our literacy rate, which is merely
54%. About 25% of our primary age group children are not enrolled in schools and 50%
of those enrolled in government schools drop out, shifting either to non-state providers or
altogether abandoning education. The participation rate at the middle and high schools
level is 46% and 31% respectively. Pakistan ranks 138 out of 175 in the Human
Development Index (UNDP). On account of poverty and poor quality of provision in rural
and urban areas alike, parents either do not send their children or withdraw them
prematurely, with a bias against their girls compared to the boys. This discrimination
accounts for low participation rate of girls in primary schools and also literacy,
particularly in rural areas. The government is cognizant of ensuring higher investment in
human resource development for sustainable economic stability as has been illustrated in
the mobilization for Education Sector Reforms and Education For All action plans which
cater to education at the primary, secondary, technical and higher levels as well as
madaris mainstreaming and literacy programs. .
In the education sector, the current emphasis is on a sector wide approach to address
education at all levels in general but with a particular focus on Universal Primary
Education (UPE), Early Childhood Education (ECE), and Youth & Adult Literacy. A key
area of attention is to improve quality and reduce dropout rates. The National Education
Policy (1998-2010) seeks to ensure 100% literacy rate in the country. Ministry of
Education has initiated Education Sector Reforms (ESR) Action Plan 2001-2005 aimed at
qualitative and quantitative improvements in all sub-sectors of the education. Budget for
education has increased considerably and international organizations are also assisting to
support EFA and ESR targets through gender sensitive and child-centred strategies for
comprehensively addressing literacy among children and youth of Pakistan. A concerted
effort for promoting female education is being made at all levels as illustrated by several
incentives to girl students in the form of stipends at middle level, free textbooks
distribution to all primary schools and a school feeding program.
The Policy framework of the Government of Pakistan for education draws upon
provincial, national and international building blocks. Consolidation of policies occurs at
the Federal level increasingly through a consensus based approach :
The core reference documents for policy and action plans that are under implementation
include: :
16
 The 1998-2010 National Education Policy.

 ESR Action Plan 2001`-2005
 EFA National Plan of Action
 PRSP (Ministry of Finance led with well integrated ESR/EFA priority areas)
 The 10 Year Perspective Plan ( Planning Commission led)
 Ninth Five Year Plan (Planning Commission led)
The above have integrated EFA and the Millennium Development Goals ( MDGs) as
cross cutting areas for strategic action. Provisions of the Convention on the Rights of The
Child (CRC), Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW), Convention-182 of ILO and now even the SAARC Social Charter are seen as
markers for a code of public policy and action, for the government of Pakistan.
(www.moe.gov.pk)
The policy documents summarily described below serve as an interface to the NPA with
respect to education for children up to 18 years.
National Education Policy – 1998-2010:
The main features of the Education Policy (1998-2010) are given in the following:
 Every child of six to twelve year age group will be in a school within five
years.
 Kachi class (the class prior to class-1) at primary level shall be introduced as
an effort to improve the achievement of pupils.
 Access to elementary education shall be increased through effective and
optimum utilization of existing facilities and services as well as provision of
new facilities and services.
 Non-formal system shall be adopted as complementary to formal systems.
 Female education will be given greater emphasis in rural areas.
 High priority shall be accorded to the provision of elementary education to the
out of school children.
 The quality of education will be improved and made more relevant to the
demands of the available job market.
 Examination system will be reformed to eliminate the evil of cheating and
tempering with the results.
 The role of the family, school, community, non-governmental organizations
and media to the provision of elementary education shall be maximized.
 Disparities and imbalances of all types shall be eliminated so as to promote
equity.
 All private schools will be encouraged to take a percentage of students
belonging to low income group and give them free education.
 Character building oriented towards humanism, tolerance and more build up
on Islamic lines at elementary level shall be assigned on top priority.
 Teacher’s competence shall be improved and the relevance of training
Programme for teachers shall be ensured.
 Financial resource base of elementary education shall be diversified.
17
 A monitoring system shall be developed to obtain timely and reliable

information on enrollment retention, completion and achievement. In addition,
qualitative monitoring of achievement shall be introduced.
 Management and supervision shall be improved through greater
decentralization and accountability.
 Research, development and scientific education will be modernized.
Education Sector Reforms (ESR)
Ministry of Education initiated the Education Sector Reforms (ESR) Action Plan 2001-
2005 which aims at qualitative and quantitative improvements in all sub-sectors of the
education.
A sector wide strategy has been adopted for a holistic approach to education and the
guiding principles of ESR are derived from the linkages between poverty and literacy.
The imperative of need-based programmes, budget allocations and creating gender
balance in education at all levels are well anchored in ESR. The Educations Sector
Reforms Action Plan is a strategic plan containing targets, implementation strategies,
programme summaries and innovative programmes. Implementation strategies stress
mobilization of political will, Education for All (EFA), poverty reduction strategies in the
Education Sector, good governance and recognition of private sector and partnerships
between private institutions, NGOs and government.
Education Sector Reform Targets for each Sub-Sector from

2001-2004:
Literacy from 49% to 60%
Gross Primary Enrollment from 83% to 100%
Net Primary Enrollment from 66% to 76%
Middle School Enrollment from 47.5% to 55%
Secondary School Enrollment from 29.5% to 40%
Higher Education from 2.6 % to 5%
The target of increase in literacy will be achieved by opening of Literacy Centres,

opening of Non-formal Basic Education Schools, Vocational and Trade Schools, Quranic
Literacy Centres, and Community Viewing.
In order to meet the target of increasing enrolment, 8,250 new primary schools will be
opened. Physical facilities of 100,000 primary schools will be upgraded. Moreover,
double shift in existing primary schools will be introduced in addition to opening of new
primary schools in the private sector.
The targets of Early Childhood Education (ECE) will be met by accommodating children
in 2,500 ECE centres in selected primary schools and 1,500 centres will be opened in
private sector during each year of the plan.
The ESR Action Plan includes the following innovative programmes;

 Early Childhood Education (ECE)
 National Adult Literacy Campaign.
18
 Examination Reforms including deregulation

 National Education Assessment System (NEAS)
 Video Textbook Libraries.
 Good Governance and decentralization in Education
EFA national Plan of Action
The main objectives of EFA national plan of action are following:

 To reach the disadvantaged population group in rural and urban areas with
emphasis on out of school girls and illiterate girls and women
 To promote community participation and ownership of basic education programs
at the grass roots.
 To improve relevance and quality of basic education through enhancing learning
achievements of the children, youth and adults.
The order of the priority of the plan is Elementary Education, Adult Literacy and Early
Childhood Education.
In order to achieve the objectives of EFA National Plan of Action, projected additional
cost requirements are Rs 202 billion for primary education, Rs 180 billion for adult
literacy and Rs 48 billion for ECE. Total cost worked out to be Rs 430 billion. Out of
which, Rs 178 billion is estimated to be provided through country’s own resources
whereas the gap of Rs 253 billion may be bridged by the international development
partners and bilateral amd multilateral agencies.
Education Policy is informed by moinitoring key indicators. This is being undertaken

through the education management information system (EMIS) at the provincial and
national levels since 1990.
Education Management Information System (EMISs):
The Education Management Information Systems (EMISs) have been established to

support planning, management and implementation in the education sector. These
systems are now operating under separate EMIS Cells in all the provinces, AJK, Northern
Areas and FATA. At the federal level, the Academy for Educational Planning and
Management (AEPAM) is providing support, and is also responsible for developing a
national database on key indicators of the education sector. Annual school census
organized by the EMIS cells are conducted in all the provinces and areas for the last eight
years. Use of EMIS data for evidence based decision making by policy makers and
managers has started, although on a small scale. In provinces / areas, EMIS results are
being used for a number of activities such as identifying schools which require additional
classrooms, for up gradation of primary schools to middle level, provision of physical
facilities and non salary inputs to schools etc. Currently EMIS is being strengthened for
ensuring standards and reliability through UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UIS) supported
by European Union as the G-8’s commitment to the Fast Track Initiative (FTI) for
meeting EFA goals.
19
Budgetary Allocations on Education
A review of the table below reveals that Government of Pakistan has tried to gradually
enhance the Budgetary Allocation for education. The MoE has undertaken a multilevel
financing exercise to map all resource allocations to education from all Ministries and
Divisions as well as provinces and districts to give a more realistic flow of resources to
education. The challenge however, lies in the capacity to utilize these in a timely and
appropriate manner.
The current allocation of 2.2 percent of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is an
improvement over the past but is still far below the five percent recommended by
UNESCO. Total education budget during the fiscal years 2001-02 to 2003-04 is given in
table 14.
Table 14: National Education Budget during (2001-04)

(Rs. In billion)
Years Recurring Budget Development Total Education % of GDP
Budget Budget
2000-01 69.509 6.378 75.887 1.96
2001-02 70.400 8.537 78.925 1.98
2002-03 79.459 10.368 89.827 2.14
2003-04 90.201 30.287 120.488 2.70
Source: Ministry of Education
Education Provision in this Plan of Action
The age group for which education needs have to be catered is that of 0-18 years. This
includes education options which span:
 Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) /Early Childhood Education
(ECE)
 Elementary (I-VIII) Education through formal and non-formal delivery systems
 Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (IX-XII)
 Technical Vocational Education at Secondary and Post Secondary level
 Literacy and integrated literacy programs for youth.
It is important to recognize and support transition opportunities for children from primary
to middle and secondary levels so that Pakistan can secure higher percentage of the target
group for tertiary as well as technical and vocational education, which are currently
hovering at a meagre 3 percent and 2 percent respectively. Similarly there must be a
linkage of literacy programs for skill or pre-vocational training and micro-credit so that
protection rights of the children can be well ensured through such integrated programs.
Structure for Implementation of NPA
The structure for Implementing the EFA/ESR/ MDG/PRSP/CRC Goals in a federal

system is straddled across federal, provincial and now district levels. A glimpse of the
structure is presented below.
20
The machinery which deals with the above education options has been restructured
recently on account of the Devolution Plan 2001 with implementation and planning
increasingly been relocated at the district level and with distinct responsibilities at the
provincial and federal levels :
The Federal Ministry is charged with :

 Policy and planning including EFA planning and reporting
 Curriculum and textbook finalization
 Quality Assurance
 Resource mobilization including donor coordination
 Technical Education,
 Maiinstreaming Madaris Education
 Special Initiatives through specific projects
Ministry of Education has been recently restructured and has the following Wings to
handle the above areas for the national level work and implementation in federal areas.
Minister
Minister of Secretary
State
JS JEA JEA JEA JEA Director

Admn Planning & Curriculu Projects Training Monitorin
Wing Development m Wing Wing g Cell
Wing Wing (EFA)
Provincial Level Structure :
It is only correct to point out that there are variations at the provincial and also the district
level on account of human resource and financial constraints. These variations although
aligned to provincial diversity also create problems for lack of standardized approaches
and predictability in the norms and practices of implementation.
In the province of Punjab the Departments of Education and Literacy are separate whilst
in the rest of the provinces Literacy and NFE are subsumed under education. All EFA
planning and reporting activities currently lie with the Literacy and NFE
departments/sections, whilst the bulk of the EFA implementation is with the mainstream
Department of Education. This anomaly has been created as a result of decisions at the
federal and provincial level regarding focal persons /officers for EFA related activities.
21
Enrollment Trend in Schools
Table 15 shows trend of growth rates at elementary level from 1993-94 to 1999-2000. For
primary level (classes 1-5), the growth rate for boys is 1.25 % and for girls is 2.83 %. At
middle (classes 6-8), trend growth rate for boys is 1.84 % and for girls is 4.80%.
Table 15: Growth Trends at Elementary Level-Government Schools (Pakistan)

Percent per annum
Indicator Trend Growth Rate
1993-94 to 1999-2000
Total Enrollment – government school (k-5) 1.85%
Boys 1.25%
Girls 2.83%
Total Enrollment –Government schools (6-8) 2.84%
Boys 1.84%
Girls 4.80%
Gross Enrollment Rate (GER) and Net Enrollment Rate (NER):
A basic indicator of progress towards universal primary education (UPE) is gross

enrollment rate (GER). The GER is a measure of the total number of children at the
primary level divided by the total number of children of primary school age. The PIHS
has taken school age (5-9 years old). Table 16 shows GER and NER in schools.
Table 16: Gross and Net Enrolment Ratio

Primary Middle Matric
GER NER GER NER GER NER
1995-96
Boys 85 49 54 19 54 9
Girls 64 38 29 11 26 7
1998-99
Boys 80 47 48 19 53 10
Girls 61 37 32 13 27 7
2001-02
Boys 83 46 45 17 55 10
Girls 61 38 35 14 30 8
Source: PIHS (2001-02)
Note: GER at primary level does not include enrolment in katchi classr
Net Enrolment Rates by Gender
In order to understand progress amongst children 5-9 years old, the indicator of net
enrollment rate (NER) was used. The net enrollment rate shows all children of eligible
age (5-9 years old) attending primary level as percentage of all children of primary school
age. The enrollment rate is better measure of population’s access to and uptake of basic
education. This indicator for Pakistan as a whole is considerably lower than the gross
enrollment rate, as a result of over-age children attending primary school. Table below
shows that NER marginally declined for boys in 1998-99, i.e., 47 per cent 1998-99 from
53 per cent in 1991. Similarly NER for girls was 39 per cent in 1991 whereas it
marginally declined to 37 per cent in 1998-99. for details see tables 17 and 18.
.
22
Table 17: Enrollment Rates by Gender

Primary Level – Classes 1-5 (Percent)
Gross Enrollment Rates
Net Enrollment Rates (NER)
Year (GER)
Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total
1990-91 86 59 73 53 39 46
1998-99 78 61 71 50 41 46
2001-02 84 63 74 53 44 49
Table 18: Enrollment Rates by Rural /Urban Areas

Primary Level-Classes 1-5 (Percent)
Gross Enrollment Rates Net Enrollment Rates (NER)
Year (GER)
Rural Urban Total Rural Urban Total
1990-91 66 92 73 41 59 46
1998-99 63 94 71 37 57 42
2001-02 64 94 74 44 65 49
Percentage of Girls Enrollment in Total Enrollment
It is important to see percentage of girls’ enrollment in total enrollment. Table below

shows that girls enrollment is 40 per cent of total enrolment (39 per cent in government
schools and 43 percent in private schools) [see table 19].
Table 19: Percentage of Girls Enrollment in Total Enrollment

(at Primary Level)-Pakistan
Indicator 1999-2000
Percentage
Girls Enrollment as % of total (Govt. Schools) 39%
Girls Enrollment as % of total (Private Schools) 43%
Girls Enrollment as % of total (Government + 40%
Private Schools)
Addressing Gender Equity through Compensatory Initiatives :
The following innovations have been adopted by the Government.
1. Co-education
All provinces and areas have shown progress in the area of coeducation. Mixed gender
schools have been in existence practically in all the provinces / areas through their
proportion vary from one province to the other.
2. Katchi Class (Pre School)
Strategy involves developing plans to institutionalize “Katchi” class. Provinces are

beginning to include Katchi in their official definition of primary school.
23
3. Incentives for Recruitment of Female Teachers
A number of specific incentives have been introduced to attract females into the teaching
profession at primary level. These incentives are generally restricted to rural areas. (1)
The Govt. has also introduced the policy of posting female teachers, as far as possible, in
their own villages. (2) The cadres of primary teachers have been restricted to the district
level, implying that posting or transfer of any place within the district is still possible.
4. Incentive schemes Promoting Girls Participation in Primary/Elementary Levels
Some provincial Governments have introduced certain incentives to attract female

children to primary schools. Under different projects as well, incentive schemes have
been initiated. There have been incentive schemes to increase girls and other poor
disadvantaged children’s participation in primary education. These programmes were
aimed at increasing enrollment and performance (in particular for girls) in primary
schools. Major incentive schemes under different projects are given in table 20.
Table 20: Summary of Major Incentive Schemes

Project Tile Incentives Location Type of Constraints Funding
Offered Participation Addressed Organizations
Addressed
Balochistan Vegetable Balochistan Primary School Poverty / cost WFP: Govt. of
NWFP Oil & NWFP enrollment / of school, Netherlands,
attendance / Parental Swedish Govt.
retention attitudes Government of
Balochistan and
NWFP
Sindh Primary Various Sindh Primary School Poverty / cost The World Bank,
Education incentives enrollment, of school, NORAD: DFID
Development including attendance, economic and Govt. of
Programme 1.nutrition completion loss, Parental Sindh
programme, attitudes,
2.Scholarships, Early
3. free marriages
Textbooks,
4.Fellowships
NWFP Various NWFP Primary school Poverty / cost The World Bank,
Primary incentives, enrollment / of school, GTZ, ADB,
Education scholarships attendance Parental DFID, UNICEF,
Programme cash awards, attitudes, JICA, KfW &
free textbooks, Economic Govt. of the
teacher Loss NWFP
stipends for
working
children
Northern Subsidy for Northern Primary school Poverty / cost The World Bank,
Education community Areas enrollment / of school, DFID, Govt. of
Project schools attendance Parental Pakistan
attitudes
Balochistan Urban girls Balochistan Primary school Poverty / cost The World Bank,
Primary fellowships enrollment / of school, Govt. of
Education attendance Parental Balochistan
Programme attitudes,
Early
24
Marriages
Punjab Free textbooks Punjab Primary and Poverty/ cost of Governmetn of
Education for all middle level school direct Punjab; World
Sector government enrolment and indirect Bank and DfID
Reforms school children
Program Stipends of Rs. Attendance rates Changing
(PESRP) 200 per month attitudes
for girls in through
Classes VI- awareness
VIII in govt. campaigns
schools. and political
Promotional will
awareness
campaigns
Prime Free textbooks, Primary level Poverty / cost Govt. of Pakistan

Minister’s schools enrollment / of school,
Literacy materials; attendance Parental
Commission attitudes
Establishmen
t of Non-
formal
Schools
Note: In addition, ADB financed a number of projects for Girls Primary Education in all the
provinces.
Private Sector Enrollment as Percentage of Total (At Primary Level)
The Federal, Bureau of Statistics (FBS) completed the first ever census of private
educational institutions in Pakistan and published its report in February 2001. Based on
Census and EMIS data, the present share of private sector in total primary enrollment is
about 28 per cent (27 per cent for boys and 29 percent for girls). The share of private
sector in primary education has doubled over the last 10 years from 14 per cent as
reported in the 1991 PIHS report to 28 per cent in 1999-2000.
Private sector is playing an important role in the education sector. Private Educational
Institutes have a big hand in the dissemination of education. There are 36,096 private
institutes in Pakistan. Detail is given in table 21.
25
Table 21: Number of Public and Private Schools in Pakistan 1999-2000:
Higher
Location Gender Mosque Primary Middle High Total
Secondary
Boys 11,552 56,175 6,056 4,733 339 78,855
Girls 67 39,114 5,487 1,663 179 46510
Rural
Mixed - 22,678 6,098 1,726 104 30606
Total 11,619 111,967 17,641 8,122 622 149,971
Boys 1,347 4,934 979 1,645 194 9,099
Girls 21 4,656 1,066 1,187 211 7,141
Urban
Mixed - 10,265 8,335 4,669 250 23,519
Total 1,368 19,855 10,380 7,501 655 39,759
Boys 12,899 61,109 7,035 6,378 533 87,954
Girls 88 43,770 6,553 2,850 390 53,651
Total
Mixed - 32,943 14,433 6,395 354 54,125
Total 12,987 137,822 28,021 15,623 1277 195,730
Source: Academy of Education Planning & Management (AEPAM), Islamabad, (Facts and figures)
5. Participation of Private Sector:
Given the high population growth leading to the rising demand for education and severe
constrains on public expenditure, it is not surprising that the private sector is increasingly
playing a definite role in the sector.
The Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) completed the first ever census of private
educational institutions in Pakistan and published its report in February 2001, According
to findings of the Census, private schools are not an urban phenomena. Almost half of the
primary and 41% of the middle schools are located in rural areas.
The following table shows that according to the private school census, private primary
and middle schools account for approximately 17% of total primary and middle schools
in Pakistan. Most of the private schools are mixed schools. As the table shows that mixed
private and middle schools account for 57% of total primary and middle schools in
Pakistan [see table 22].
Table 22: Share of Public and Private Sector in Total Primary and Middle Schools
in Pakistan
Government Private
( Primary and 83% 17%
Middle Schools
Boys 99% 1%
Girls 99% 1%
Mixed 43% 57%
Source: Govt. of the Pakistan, Federal Bureau of Statistics, Statistics Division, Census of Private
Educational Institutions in Pakistan 1999-2000.
6. Public Private Partnership

Private sector is playing an important role in the education sector, a key element of
Education Sector Reform agenda is the development of partnership between the private
26
sector and with NGOs. The proposed package of incentives for private sector particularly
in rural areas and also urban slums, includes:
 Provision of land free of cost / and or at confessional rates in rural areas.
 Utilities such as Electricity, Sui Gas, etc. to be assessed at non-commercial rates.
 Liberal grant of charter.
 Exemption of custom duties on transport of educational equipment.
 Exemption of 50% income tax to private sector institutions for faculty, management
and support staff.
7. Education Foundation:
As government agencies with a mandate to promote private sector participation in

education, five education foundations have been set up to non-elite private sector and take
a lead role in developing innovative programs and collaborations.
These are :
(1) Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) established in 1992
(2) Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) set up in 1991
(3) Balochistan Education Foundation (BEF)
(4) Frontier Education Foundation (FEF) set up in 1992 and subsequently (2003) split
into two one focusing on Elementary and the FEF on colleges and higher education.
(5) National Education Foundation (NEF)
To date three of them have been restructured to address the following :
 provide financial assistance for the establishment, expansion, improvement, and
management of educational institutions and allied projects;
 provide incentives to students, teachers, and Educational Institutions;
 promote public-private partnerships relating to education;
 provide technical assistance to Educational Institutions for testing policy interventions
and innovative programmes for replication;
 rank private educational institutions based on educational standards;
 raise funds through donations, grants, contributions, subscriptions etc.;
 assist Educational Institutions in capacity building, including training of teachers; and
 undertake any other function as may be assigned to it by the Board with the approval
of the Government;
Private sector is playing an important role in the education sector. Private Educational
Institutes have a big hand in the dissemination of education. There are 36,096 private
institutes in Pakistan.
Quality Improvement Strategies
The quality improvement strategy of the Ministry of Education is covering four areas i.e.
curriculum development, textbooks development, teacher education and training &
testing and evaluation. Under this scheme, 58 titles of National Curriculum for classes 1-
VI have been revised and updated. New diploma and bridging courses for teachers have
been designed and launched.
27
In-Service Training Of Teachers
 Spadework for identification of 30 most needy TTIs (Teachers Training Institutes) and
up gradation of hostel facilities in collaboration with Provincial Education Departments
has been started.
 Pilot phase of Education Department has been started under ADB-assisted Teacher
Training Project (TTP).
Bridging Course For 100, 000 P.T.C. and 25000 C.T. Teachers
Curriculum for bridging courses was developed with support from ADB. Training
Workshops for 2000 Master trainers were organized. Training courses for 100, 000 PTC
and 25000 CT teachers are under progress. The teachers on qualifying these courses
would be placed in BPS 12. This is an effort to upgrade the quality of education.
Raising the Entry Qualification for Contract Based Teachers
In Punjab all new teachers being hired since 2002 are on contract and are school based
with a minimum qualification of graduate level education (14 years) These educators are
being hired annually at the district level in an effort to raise the quality of teachers and the
teaching learning process.
National Education Assessment System (NEAS)
It is essential to know how effective is the process of learning and how effectively
critical literacy and numeracy skills are being developed among students. Establishing an
efficient and cost effective mechanism for regularly assessing students, performance and
teachers competencies at elementary level is therefore, emerging as a high priority.
In order to establish National Education Assessment System (NEAS) a number of

workshops and Technical Group Meetings (TGMs) with participation of representatives
of federal, provincial /areas and development partners have been held to clarify concepts,
reach consensus and move forward the planning process to establish NEAS at the federal
level and Provincial Education Assessment Centers (PEACESs) at the provincial level.
8. Improving Governance:
Improving transparency and governance in the line departments was also one of the key
strategies in SAP to enhance efficiency and quality of expenditures and services. The
major thrust to improve governance came during the second phase of SAP (SAPP-II).
Third Party Validation by AG Department to assess compliance with agreed criteria is a
cross- sectoral initiative. The policies include: (a) ensure merit based site selection for
schools (b) design and implement mechanism to ensure staff hired, posted and transferred
according to agreed criteria (c) monitor staff attendance during normal working hours and
develop systems to address chronic absenteeism and (d) ensure all procurement activity
is performed in accordance with acceptable competitive procedures. Four rounds of TPV
have been successfully completed with the publication and launching of its annual reports
28
in March 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. The TPV arrangement also entails follow up, as the
line departments are required to take corrective actions on the findings of validation.
9. Devolution and Decentralization:
The government has initiated its nation wide devolution and decentralization plan since
August 14, 2001. Education sector department is one of the 11 new departments created
at the district level with certain roles and responsibilities defined. Its main focus is to
improve local level planning, implementation and hence service delivery. In the province
of Punjab education and literacy are two separate departments headed respectively by
Exectutive District Officers (EDOs), Education and Literacy.
Community Involvement in Elementary Education
Community involvement under SAP has been introduced in this sector as a core strategy
to improve quality of service. Thus, parents of school going children and community
members have been called upon to play a key role together with the teachers in the
management of primary and middle schools through School Committees. The Govt. has
taken some concrete steps to institutionalize and strengthen these committees through
social mobilization, financial employment and management training. As a result, school
committees have been established in most of the government schools across the country.
The Govt. has also provided funds to the committees for purchase of educational
materials and for carrying out minor repair of school buildings.
The School Committees
The School Committees, variously called as Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), Schools
Management Committees (SMCs), Schools Councils (SCs) Parent Teacher Management
Committees (PTSMCs) depending on the province were first notified formally in 1994 by
the provincial Governments. Since then, some changes in composition of the committees
and their names (e.g. from SMC to School Councils in Punjab and Village Education
Committees to PTA in NWFP) have occurred in some provinces and duly notified.
However, major roles and responsibilities of these schools committees have remained
unchanged which are as follows:
Roles and Responsibilities of School Committees
a) Increase enrollment, especially of girls, by motivating parents to send their

children to school.
b) Decrease and ultimately eliminate dropouts.
c) Ensure regular attendance of teachers.
d) Monitor teacher’s performance.
e) Promote mutual cooperation among the local community parents and teachers.
f) Manage government funds for the purchase of educational material and for
maintenance & repair.
g) Raise local resources in support of school activities and for improvements in
school
29
Introduction of Technical Education at Secondary Level
 An innovative element of ESR is the introduction of technical education stream at the

secondary school level. This plan aims at introducing a skill development stream in
the ninth and tenth grades, parallel to the existing science and arts group, in 1200
existing secondary schools and 60 new model technical high schools. Training will be
imparted in trades selected in consultation with local industry, thereby creating
employment linkages.
 Technical education will be imparted through introduction of technical/vocational
stream in existing secondary schools and establishment of vocational training
institutions at tehsil levels.
 The program will be supplemented through the provision of micro credit to encourage
self-employment. A program for reinvigorating polytechnics at tehsil level and
initiating second shifts in existing polytechnics is also being devised with a particular
focus on opportunities for women. This component of ESR specifically targets the
youth.
Fight Against Illiteracy
Pakistan Literacy Commission restructured and merged into EFA (Education For All)
Wing and has achieved the following:
 7000 Literacy Centers have been established and operational.

 13000 literacy centers are being set up all over the country to enroll male and
female groups of age 10+.
 Trust funds have been established under auspices of National Commission on
Human Development. President Task Force on Human Development to undertake
NFBE and Literacy in 13 districts. An amount of Rs. 100 million has been raised as
seed capital by founding members including expatriate community, private sector
and others. The President has announced a contribution of Rs. 2 billion on behalf of
Government of Pakistan.
 Provincial Initiatives launched: 2000 UJALA centers in Punjab & Women Literacy
Empowerment Program in Sindh.
9. Increase Literacy / Non-Formal Basic Education:
The Govt. of Pakistan approved a project, proposed by the Pakistan Literacy Commission
(PLC) for the establishment of 10,000 non-formal basic education schools at cost of Rs.
1, 263,375 million. Reportedly, 7,190 of these have been established, with an enrollment
of 224,570. The NFBE schools are based on the “Home School” model. The community
at a fixed salary of Rs. 1,000 per month selects a teacher. Funding was provided by PLC
to the communities through intermediary non-government organizations (NGOs).
According to ESR, spearheading education for all and sector wide reform includes “PLC
restructuring as a support organization, with selective monitoring for setting standards.”
The primary school enrollment is set to reach 100% by 2010 while the female literacy is
set to increase from 39% presently to 67% by 2011. The adult literacy rate in the same
period is projected to reach 78%.
30
Literacy
A literate is defined as the person who can read newspaper and write a simple letter.
According to this definition, based on the data of the Population Census 1998 reports 43.9
percent individuals of Pakistan were literate in that year. Table 23 indicates that at present
literacy rate is estimated at 54% (Male 66% and female 42%).
Table 23: Literacy rate in Pakistan (10 + years)

Year Total Male Female Urban Rural
1981 26.2 - - - -
1998 45.0 56.5 32.6 64.7 34.4
2000 49.0 61.3 36.8 68.0 37.0
2001 50.5 63.0 38.0 70.0 39.0
2002 50.5
2003* 51.6
2004* 54.0 66.3 41.8
Source: EFA Wing, Ministry of Education, Islamabad (Facts and Figures Pakistan 2002) Page-24
* Source : Pakistan Economic Survey 2003-04
At present the highest illiteracy is in Islamabad (82%) followed by Punjab (56%), Sindh
(51%), NWFP (46%) and Balochistan (37%). The province of Balochistan exhibits
highest levels of illiteracy which is most prevalent among women (77%). In rural areas
this proportion is nearly 90 percent. Number of literates and illiterates by urban-rural
areas, by gender and by provinces are reported in tables 24 to 26.
Table 24: Number of literates and Illiterates in Pakistan (10 + age Group)
Figures in millions
Rural Urban
Yrs.
Literate Illiterate Literate Illiterate
1981 7.4 35.4 7.9 8.9
1998 19.9 37.9 20.0 11.0
2000 24.8 42.3 23.4 11.0
2001 26.6 41.6 25.0 10.8
Table 25: Number of literates and Illiterates in Pakistan (10 + age Group)
Figures in millions
Total Male Female
Years.
Literate- Illiterate Literate Illiterate Literate Illiterate
1981 15.3 44.3 11.0 20.8 4.3 23.5
1998 40.0 48.8 26.2 20.2 13.9 28.7
2000 50.0 51.8 32.0 21.4 18.4 30.4
2001 52.0 51.5 34.0 20.0 18.5 31.5
31
Table 26: Literacy rate 10 years and above by province, rural/urban and by
gender 2001
All Areas Urban Rural
Province Both Both Femal
Male Female Both Sexes Male Female Male
Sexes Sexes e
Punjab 51.13 61.83 39.97 68.26 74.15 61.90 42.49 55.36 29.40
Sindh 48.29 57.63 37.83 66.32 72.10 59.68 28.11 40.92 14.22
NWFP 40.43 58.00 22.70 58.48 71.93 43.31 36.44 54.75 18.65
Balochis-
31.45 42.60 18.70 54.42 66.80 39.56 23.01 33.42 11.64
- tan
Source: EFA Wing, Ministry of Education, Islamabad (Facts and Figures Pakistan 2002)
D. ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF THE CHILD

PROTECTION ENVIRONMENT IN PAKISTAN:
The Government of Pakistan has signed and ratified international and regional treaties
obliging it to protect children from all acts of violence, abuse, exploitation and
discrimination. Recently it has promulgated laws for protection of children, such as the
Juvenile Justice System Ordinance 2000 and the Ordinance for Prevention and Control of
Human Trafficking 2002, and in June 2004, the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab
approved an historic bill for the protection of destitute and neglected children; a law,
which establishes the first child protection system in Pakistan. While Pakistan has laws
designed to protect children against exploitation, abuse and violence but most are not
enforced at all or poorly implemented. In 2003, the Ministry of Women Development,
Social Welfare and Special Education reviewed 78 child and family-related laws. Many
of them were found to need revision and harmonization with the CRC provisions and
other international treaties and standards. Furthermore, laws conforming to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child are not de facto applied. The Zina and Hudood
Ordinances stand in conflict with the principles and provisions of the CRC.
Child protection is a complex and, at times, sensitive area. Therefore, it is not surprising
that, other than anecdotal information, there are few statistics depicting the scope of
abuses against children in Pakistan. But if we look at the manifestations of the violations
of protection rights we will come across child labour, children without primary
caregivers, children who are trafficked, children who are sexually exploited and children
subjected to violence ranging from corporal punishment to sexual abuse and various
forms of torture. One of the most visible violations of child protection rights in Pakistan
is child labour. The prevalence of child labour is high and widely accepted in society. It
is estimated that more than 3.6 million children in Pakistan work in the formal sector 1.
There are many forms of child labour in Pakistan. Two of the most exploitative forms are
in carpet weaving and brick kilns. The minimum age for admission to employment as
stated in the Employment of Children Act is 14 years but varies between other laws.
However, children below that age can be found working in family establishments or in
non-hazardous occupations2. Many child labourers, notably those working as domestic
servants, are completely without protection and vulnerable to a range of abuses. 3 In
1
Child Labour Survey, 1996
2
Employment of Children Act, 1991
3
Committee on the Rights of the Child. Concluding Observations on the Second Periodic Report of Pakistan. 27 October 2003
32
November 2003, ILO/IPEC launched a project in support of the National Time Bound
Programme to eliminate the worst forms of child labour in Pakistan.
Children without primary caregivers are defined as those deprived temporarily or

permanently of their first source of protection. In Pakistan, this category includes street
children (highly visible in big cities like Karachi and Lahore), children in welfare
institutions mainly in the big cities, in residential madrassas, new born babies abandoned
in maternity wards or on the streets (still very rare), children in prison and detention
centres, unaccompanied refugee children mainly to be found in Balochistan and NWFP,
and internally displaced children. The few studies available on street children show that
abuse and exploitation by parents or members of the extended family are the main reasons
a child leaves home. Once on the streets, children are subject to violence, torture, sexual
abuse and exploitation. The majority do not have access to shelter, adequate nutrition,
health care or education.
The minimum age of criminal responsibility is seven years which leads to children being
treated and judged like adults. The right to legal assistance and defence is not guaranteed
for all children in conflict with the law with the result that many of them (70%) stay in
pre-trial prisons for long periods of time because they cannot afford to pay for legal
assistance.
There are no official statistics and data on the sexual abuse of children 4. Traditional
attitudes (e.g. concepts like “family honour”) make it difficult for cases to be reported.
But the reports and findings of NGOs actively working in this area indicate that sexual
abuse and exploitation is a serious problem. The anecdotal studies suggest that,
particularly in larger urban centres such as Karachi and Lahore, the prevalence is higher.
The CRC Committee has expressed its concern about “the high prevalence of violence,
abuse, including sexual abuse, and neglect of children and the lack of effective measures
to combat this problem”.5 Due to limited awareness and coping skills, most of the child
victims of abuse and exploitation are not able to turn to the family or social services for
support. Often parents, the first line of defence for the child, are not able to offer
protection. Worse still it may be the parents themselves who are the aggressors or who
place their children in perilous situations e.g. sending them to work at a very young age,
trading them for material or financial benefits or to settle family disputes. The
stakeholders in communities, such as teachers, health workers, police, local authorities
and community leaders, are unable to recognize, prevent and respond to protection
abuses. This is due to a lack of awareness of protection issues and a lack of systems to
prevent and respond to abuse. The National Commission for Child Welfare and
Development drafted a National Plan of Action to address child commercial sexual
exploitation and child sexual abuse which is to be approved by the Cabinet.
The abduction and trafficking of boys for camel races in the Gulf countries is also a well
known phenomenon in Pakistan. Pakistan is a country of origin, destination and transition
for cross-border child trafficking. Children are trafficked within the country for bonded
labour and sexual exploitation. Young girls may be trafficked to settle inter-family
4
NGO LHRLA in Karachi developed a database of the cases reported by written mass media
5
Committee on the Rights of the Child, Concluding Observations: Pakistan, CRC/C/Add.217, 27 October 2003
33
conflicts of for forced marriages. Little is known or documented about the “push and
pull” factors of internal and external child trafficking in Pakistan. As mentioned earlier,
in 2002, the Government promulgated the Ordinance for Prevention and Control of
Human Trafficking but the law has not been enforced as the authorities in charge of its
implementation, particularly within district governments, are not fully aware of its
requirements. The law deals mainly with cross-border trafficking and it does not contain
any special provision for dealing with child victims of trafficking.
Corporal punishment, which may include very severe forms, is widely used as a
disciplinary measure for children in schools, institutions and homes. The Penal Code
allows for corporal punishment and, despite the 1996 Abolition of the Punishment of
Whipping Act, whipping is still used as a sentence for Hudood crimes6. In the Tribal
Areas and in the remote interior areas of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan Provinces,
children are subject to harmful traditional practices such as honour killings, forced and/or
early marriages and dowry-related violence. The CRC Committee recommends that “as a
matter of urgency, it takes all necessary measures to eradicate all traditional practices
harmful to the physical and psychological well-being of children, which affect the girl
child in particular:” 7
There are various forms of discrimination such as those based on religion, ethnicity, class,
and language, but the most widely spread form is based on gender. Girls are discriminated
against within the family, community and society. For many traditional parents, daughters
are seen as a source of worry and a poor investment as, once they marry, they will live
within another family. Sons are preferred because parents believe they will remain to take
care of them. In traditional families, discrimination against girls manifests itself in several
ways: girls are asked to do domestic chores from a very early age, their freedom of
movement is restricted and the males of the families, including younger brothers, have the
power to decide on their lives. The existing norms reinforce the idea of the inferiority of
girls and the superiority of boys. But even boys who are highly valued from an early age
have little say on issues which affect their lives. Other negative practices which are
socially acceptable in Pakistan particularly in rural areas, include early marriage,
arrangements to send children away from home to work, severe physical punishment and
the killing of girls accused of dishonouring the family.
With the exception of child labour, child protection issues such as sexual abuse, sexual
exploitation, drug abuse and trafficking are seldom discussed openly. In this, the media
can play an important role by reporting cases where child protection rights are abused.
The NCCWD formulated a Code of Ethics for Media on Reporting of Children’s Issues in
2003 but it is not yet officially endorsed by the Ministry of Information nor is its
implementation enforced or monitored. Media reports are still made about individual
cases and children’s rights to confidentiality and privacy are not respected.
6
Committee on the Rights of the Child, Concluding Observations: Pakistan, CRC/C/Add.217, 27 October 2003.
7
Same as 6 above
34
Building a Protection Environment for the Children of Pakistan:
Children are entitled to grow up in an environment which protects them. The eight key
aspects of the protective environment in Pakistan, if strengthened can ensure protection
for children. These aspects interconnected in a chain, may sometimes overlap (media
attention can be a key factor in influencing attitudes), but are highly interdependent, and
as such if one aspect is made stronger, it automatically will positively affect the other
aspects:
 Attitudes, traditions, customs, behaviour and practices: In societies where attitudes or

traditions facilitate abuse, for example regarding sex with minors, the appropriateness
of severe corporal punishment, the application of harmful traditional practices or
differences in the perceived status and value of boys and girls, the environment will
not be protective. In societies where all forms of violence against children are taboo,
and where the rights of children are broadly respected by custom and tradition,
children are more likely to be protected.
 Governmental commitment to fulfilling protection rights: Government interest in,
recognition of and commitment to child protection is an essential element for a
protective environment.
 Open discussion of, and engagement with child protection issues: At the most
immediate level, children need to be free to speak up about child protection concerns
affecting them or other children. At the national level, media attention and civil
society engagement with child protection issues both contribute to child protection.
Partnerships between actors at all levels are essential for an effective and coordinated
response.
 Legislation and enforcement: An adequate legislative framework, its consistent
implementation, accountability and a lack of impunity are essential elements of a
protective environment.
 Capacity: Health workers, teachers, police, social workers and many others who deal
with children need to be equipped with the skills, knowledge, authority and
motivation to identify and respond to child protection problems. The capacity of
families and communities to protect their children is also essential. There are other
broader types of capacity which relate to the protective environment, including the
provision of education and safe areas for play.
 Children’s life skills, knowledge and participation: If children are unaware of their
right not to be abused, or are not warned of the dangers of, for example, trafficking,
they are more vulnerable to abuse. Children need information and knowledge to be
equipped to protect themselves. Children also need to be provided with safe and
protective channels for participation and self-expression.
 Monitoring and reporting: A protective environment for children requires an effective
monitoring system that records the incidence and nature of child protection abuses
and allows for informed and strategic responses. Such systems can be more effective
where they are participatory and locally-based.
 Services for recovery and reintegration: Child victims of any form of neglect,
exploitation or abuse are entitled to care and non-discriminatory access to basic social
services. These services must be provided in an environment which fosters the health,
self-respect and dignity of the child.
35
Strategies for Child Protection:
To achieve a protective environment for the children of Pakistan, the following child
protection strategies will be employed::
 National advocacy and initiating dialogue, at all levels from government down to
communities families and children themselves.
 Regional and International advocacy, including using international human rights
mechanisms
 Seeking societal behaviour change, challenging attitudes and traditions which can
underpin child protection abuses and supporting those which are protective.
 Strengthening capacity to assess and analyse protection issues.
 Using law-based approaches, recognising that legal standards are particularly
important to child protection, that they need to be known, understood, accepted and
enforced.
 Working for and prioritising child protection in and after conflict and instability,
especially learning from experiences in the Wana Operation.
 Working with communities for child protection.
 Ensuring access to services for recovery and reintegration for children who have
suffered child protection abuses.
 Promoting child participation and strengthening children’s own resilience
Inter-sectoral linkages underpinned by Protection
H e a l t h E d u c a t i o n
P R O T E C T I O N
36
E: Commercial and Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)

The strategic elements of the government’s CSEC interventions consist of five
programmes. These are: prevention; protection; recovery and reintegration; participation;
monitoring and coordination.
Objectives of Prevention Program

 Prevent children from being sexually abused or exploited through heightened
awareness, knowledge and commitment by all sectors of the society to child rights
and issues surrounding child exploitation.
 Ensure that all children have access to quality basic education, which is inclusive and
has a strong life skills component
 Increase children’s awareness regarding their rights and the issues surrounding child
sexual abuse and exploitation
Objectives of Protection Program

 ensure that there are comprehensive laws that cover all aspects of child sexual
abuse and exploitation.
 ensure full enforcement of laws to protect children from sexual abuse and
exploitation.
 ensure that children are not victimized by the legal system.
 protect children from being exposed to and be used in the production of
pornographic material.
 ensure regional cooperation to combat trafficking.
Objectives of Recovery and Reintegration Program

 To promote and achieve the best possible recovery of child victims of sexual
abuse and exploitation.
 To ensure that services provided to child victims and their families re
comprehensive and of high quality, using non punitive
 approach and in keeping with the best interests of the child.
 To build a national pool of health care providers who have the expertise to deal
with all type of child abuse.
 To facilitate the full rehabilitation and reintegration of child victims into their
families and communities.
Objectives of Participation Program

 Encourage age appropriate participation.
 Increase Children’s awareness on their rights to participate and build their
capacity to do so.
 Raise awareness of parents, teachers and other duty bearers regarding children’s
rights to participate in all matters affecting there live.
 Build capacity of relevant instructional structures and individuals to ensure
children’s participation in matters related to their protection.
 Build Capacity of children to actively participate in all matters affecting their
lives.
37
Objectives of Monitoring and Coordination Program:

 Establish a multi-sectoral monitoring and coordination system at national,
provincial and district level
 Ensure implementation and enhance the overall efficiency, coverage and impact
of the activities and programmes.
 Enhance the effectiveness of efforts through strengthened coordination and
cooperation.
38
PLAN OF ACTION
A. PROMOTING HEALTHY LIVES

Goal A:
Reduction of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under five Mortality Rate (U5MR) by at
least 2/3, in pursuit of the goal of reducing it to one thirds (1/3) by 2015.
Objectives:
Between the year 2003 and 2015 reduce the infant mortality rate (IMR) from 84 (per
1000 live births) to one-third i.e. 30 (per thousand live births) and reduce under five
mortality rate (U5MR) from 125 (per thousand live births) to one third i.e. 42 (per
thousand live births).
Current Situation:
 IMR 84
 U5MR 125 per thousand live births.
Improvement in IMR and U5MR is being achieved through Primary Health Care in urban
and rural areas. Immunization, breast feeding and infective diseases, control of diarrhea
diseases and ORT, reproductive health, antenatal and post natal care and births by trained
and skilled birth attendants, protection for neonatal tetanus through immunization of
pregnant women are the main efforts.
Priorities:
Increasing and improving quality of services under Primary Health Care and on going
programs like breast feeding, nutrition, EPI and Tetanus Toxoid vaccination to pregnant
mothers, TB, Malaria, ARI, CDD, antenatal and postnatal care at health outlets and
deliveries by trained TBAs. Awareness raising through media, health staff, outreach
teams and LHWs.
Target:
Achieve reduction of IMR to 30 per 1000 live births and U5MR to 42 per 1000 live births
by 2015.
Proposed Strategies:
1. Reduction of incidence of low births weight through;

a. Adequate antenatal care and monitoring of fetal development by WMOs.
LHVs Midwives and LHWs.
b. Health education for better nutrition of pregnant mothers and regular visits to
health outlets.
2. Immunization to pregnant mothers for tetanus and to infants against seven diseases;
39
a. Vaccination by teams and static centers.

b. Health education through media, health staff and LHWs for uninterrupted
vaccination doses.
3. Strengthen safe delivery services by skilled/ trained health personnel;
a. Ensure availability of WMO/ LHW/ Midwife at health centers and midwife /
TBA (trained) in each locality.
b. Health education for delivery at hospital or by a trained TBA / midwife at
home.
4. Protection from Diarrhea, ARI, Malaria and other infective and viral diseases;
a. Proper treatment and advice at health facilities.
b. Health education for proper utilization of health facilities.
5. Reproductive health promotion;
a. Family planning, counseling, child spacing, persuasion to avoid early age
marriages.
b. Health education on media and IPC by health and FP staff and LHWs.
6. Prevention of Nutritional deficiencies
a. Promotion of Breast Feeding and caring practices at community level
b. Control of micro nutrient deficiencies (Iodine, Vitamin A, Iron)
c. Health Education for feeding practices and balanced diets
Activating Actions:
1. Improve existing health services, particularly in rural areas by enhanced monitoring

by MoH/ DoH and through the new district government to eliminate absenteeism in
the rural health staff.
2. Provide new health facilities at union councils/ villages level where the facilities are
not available or situated at farther distances.
3. Encourage and coordinate NGOs for improvement of Nutrition, vaccination, child
growth and development, antenatal and post natal care and family planning.
4. Community involvement, upgrading knowledge and skills of family to optimize
available resources, encourage street/ mohalla health committees, train health
volunteers and health workers with support from UNICEF/ WHO and NGOs.
5. Proper monitoring of LHWs under NP for FP & PHC.
Time Frame:
Ensure reduction of IMR to 60 by 2010 and 30 per 1000 live births by 2015.
Ensure reduction of U5MR to 42 per 1000 live births by 2015.
Resources Required:
1. Provision and improvement of infrastructure for new and existing health institutions.
2. Provision of staff.
3. Improvement of Nutrition, health education for antenatal care.
4. Strengthen available services for reproductive health, childbirth, child spacing.
5. Strengthening immunization services for children and pregnant women.
6. Trainings/ workshops
7. Awareness, promotion through Media, IPC, meetings etc.
8. Financial resources are from;
a. Government
40
b. UNICEF
c. WHO
d. Save the Children Fund
e. US Aid
f. UNFPA
g. DFID
h. KfW
i. UNDP
j. Community
Implementation agencies - Building department, Health department, NGOs, Health

committees and community organizations
Expected Outcomes;
IMR and U5MR will be dropped in accordance with the fixed targets.
Gaps;
1. Community based organization (CBOs) for each First Level Care Facility (FLCF)
may be organized and functionalized.
2. Co-ordination may be maintained between stakeholders, donors, FLCF staff and
community.
3. Financial resources and human resource development may be improved.
Responsibilities/ Partnerships;
Responsibilities and partnerships between the government, FLCF staff, NGOs, donor
agencies. The FLCF will receive the allocated budget from government, through the
CBO. The Medical Officer In charge of the FLCF will be responsible for management
and functions under the supervision of CBO. The CBO will ensure that standard package
of services is delivered through the FLCF according to required quality.
Follow up Actions;
The District Health Administration will observe the CBOs for monitoring and evaluation.
Quantitative and qualitative data will be recorded and forwarded to provincial offices by
the DHA.
Goal B:
Reduction in the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) by at least three quarters by 2015.
Objectives:
Reduce MMR from 530 per 100,000 live births to 133 per 100,000 live births by 2015.
Current Situation:
 The current MMR is 530 per 100,000 live births.
Health and safety cover is provided to pregnant women during pregnancy, childbirth and
during lactating stage through Primary Health Care. The emphasis is on immunization
41
and breast feeding. The interventions include nutrition education, neonatal tetanus
vaccination during pregnancy, antenatal care by medical and Para Medical staff,
reproductive health services including family planning and child spacing, child births by a
Women Medical Officer, LHV or Midwife at health center/ hospital or at home by a
trained TBA. Health personnel and LHWs provide Awareness/ health education through
Media and IPC through home visits.
Priorities:
1. Improvement of Maternal Nutrition
2. Operating and strengthening existing health services.
3. Promoting reproductive health and FP counseling and child spacing.
4. Tetanus vaccination to pregnant women
5. Health education through health staff and LHWs.
6. TBA training and ensure availability of Trained TBA in each village.
Target:
Reduction of MMR to 133 per 100,000 live births by 2015.
1. Health awareness campaigns
2. Immunization of pregnant mothers
3. Delivery by the trained staff
4. Provision of food to malnourished expectant mothers
5. Provision of trained health staff at each health facility
6. Maintaining referral linkages
Activating Actions:
1. TBAs training in antenatal, postnatal care associated with incentives.
2. Health education promotion for nutrition, tetanus, vaccination, child spacing and
family planning.
3. Capacity building of existing FLCFs.
4. Strengthening of referral system.
5. Greater community participation through CBOs/ NGOs under National Health Care
System.
Time Frame:
Reduce MMR to 133 per 100,000 live births by 2015.
Resources Required:
1. Increase in financial resources and allocations.
2. Increase human resource development.
3. Development of health infrastructure.
4. Financial support from donor agencies.
5. Community involvement.
Expected Outcomes;
Reduction in MMR to 133 per 100,000 live births by 2015.
42
Gaps;
1. Lack of health education.
2. Lack of friendly health services, lack of referral services
3. Monitoring with community involvement.
1. Health, Population Welfare, District Government and the line departments
2. Community and NGOs involvement
3. Supervision through CBO and DHA
Follow up Actions;
1. Recording base line data.
2. Reporting and recording data by DHA.
Goal C:
Reduction of child malnutrition among children under 5 years of age, by at least 1/3, with
special attention to children under two years of age, and reduction in the rate of low birth
weight to at least 1/3 of the current rate.
Objectives:
Reduction of malnutrition by 1/3 in children under 5 years and 2 years of age.
Current Situation:
 Stunting prevalence: 40%
 Under weight 38%
 Wasting prevalence 15%
 Low birth weight 21 %
The existing program to control malnutrition in children are the Baby Friendly Hospitals,
Exclusive Breastfeeding, Nutrition Education at MCHCs and FLCFs, supplement feeding
and growth monitoring, ARI control, CDD control, Immunization, CIDD and Salt
iodization at FLCFs, with cooperation of NGOs, CBOs, and LHWs.
Priorities:
 Creating awareness through media, health staff and LHWs about overcoming
malnutrition.
 Stressing exclusive breast feeding, supplementary feeding to infants (weaning) and
lactating mothers,
 Growth monitoring and maintaining growth charts.
 Mobilizing of NGOs, CBOs and community participation. Support from WFP, WHO,
UNICEF, Save the Children, UNFPA and UNDP etc.
Target:
Reduce malnutrition by one third.
1. Health and nutrition education by inclusion in curricula of schools.
43
2. Health and nutrition education projects through NGOs and Government in partnership
with civil society.
3. Establishment of nutrition rehabilitation centers in rural and urban areas with
coordination of health department and LHWs program.
4. Strengthening breast feeding and improving complimentary feeding practices.
5. Baby friendly Hospitals, midwives, LHVs, LHWs, TBAs.
6. Family Planning and child spacing counseling.
7. Training workshop for health personnel, LHWs, TBAs, Male and female community
health workers, NGOs, community etc.
Activating Actions:
 Develop health and nutrition education through media, schools, and health
personnel, LHWs.
 Coordination efforts from health, education, social welfare department, NGOs,
CBOs and Donor agencies to strengthen nutrition and growth monitoring.
 Breast-feeding, child spacing and family planning counseling by health staff,
NGOs, and LHWs.
Time Frame:
Elimination of malnutrition upto 1/3 by 2015.
Resources Required:
1. Financial resources;
a. Government
b. Donor agencies
c. Community Resources
2. Human resources;
a. Health department personnel
b. Education department
c. NGOs
d. Community leaders and community workers.
e. Technical expertise from UNICEF, WHO, Save the Children
f. LHWs/ LHW Supervisors
3. Material resources;
Health and nutrition education maternal (printed)
a. Commodity Assistance by UNICEF, WHO, WFP.
b. Practical demonstration for supplementary feeding- weaning practices – health
personnel/ NGOs
Expected Outcomes;
Reduction in Malnutrition in children under 5 years to be achieved by 1/3 up to 2015.
Gaps;
1. Under utilization of FLCFs to be eliminated.
2. Cooperation and coordination between different sectors, stake holders, NGOs and
community.
3. Media, health personnel and LHWs to gear up awareness about malnutrition.
44
4. More seminars, festivals, training workshops to be organized for communities,

social workers, health committee members and community health workers to
advocate adequate nutrition.
1. Collaboration and linkages with NGOs, CBOs, community, schools and FLCFs.
2. Improvement of services at FLCFs through FLCF Management by CBOs/ NGOs
under National Health Care System.
Follow up Actions;
1. Data collection, regular reporting and case studies.
2. Registering cases of Malnutrition and follow up actions taken
3. Establishing referral links and maintaining feedback.
4. Surveys to assess deficiencies.
5. Report submission to higher levels.
Goal D:
Reduction in the proportion of households without access to hygienic sanitation facilities
and affordable and safe drinking water by at least one third of the current level..
Objectives:
Provide safe drinking water to 95 % population and hygienic sanitation facilities to 82%
population by 2015.
Current Situation:
 Population with access to affordable clean drinking water 90%
 Hygienic means of sanitation 62%.
Some projects for supply of safe and clean drinking water and sanitation are being
implemented by Public Health Engineering Department and Local Government and Rural
Development with the financial assistance from UNICEF, World Bank, IDA, ADB, KfW
Germany etc.
Priorities:
Public awareness about benefits of clean drinking water, water borne diseases, and safety
through affordable, safe and clean drinking water. Benefits of sanitation and hygienic
disposal of excreta and sanitary environment through media and IPC.
Mapping of population for 100 percent coverage of population for universal access to
clean drinking water and hygienic means of sanitation. Community involvement for the
effective completion and maintenance of water, environment and sanitation projects
(WES).
Target:
Provide safe drinking water, to 95% population and hygienic sanitation facilities to 82%
population by 2015.
45
1. Effective coordination between government and donor agencies with NGOs and
CCBs for adoption of low cost projects suitable for neglected areas and part of
population without safe drinking water and hygienic means of sanitation.
2. Meetings, briefing sessions and seminars at Federal, Provincial and district level
with the involvement of parliamentarians, NGOs, the CCBs for selection of low
cost options with increased focus on sanitation and hygiene.
3. Field visits of key Federal, Provincial government officials, parliamentarians and
community leaders to water supply, hand pumps, sanitation and sanitary latrine
projects.
4. Explore possibilities of check-dams, mini dams, other water resources and
reservoirs
Activating Actions:
1. Ensuring community participation to ensure quality of drinking water
2. Strong public and private partnership
3. Increase financial support from donor agencies
4. Fair selection of sites for schemes
Time Frame:
Achievement of targets by 2015.
Resources Required:
1. Government allocation of financial resources to replicate the low cost water and
sanitation schemes.
2. Funds allocations/ grants from UNICEF/ World Bank/ IDA/ADB,UNDP and
DFID.
3. Human resources from Public Health Engineering Department, Local Government
and Rural Development Department, Health Department and NGOs.
Expected Outcomes;
1. Universal access to affordable safe drinking water
2. Access to hygienic means of sanitation to 82% population
3. Reduction in incidence of water borne diseases and diseases due to unhygienic
environment.
4. Reduction in IMR and U5MR due to reduction in incidence of diarrheal diseases
and ARI
Gaps;
1. Lack of awareness in population about hazards and dangers of unsafe drinking
water, lack of hygienic sanitation and unhealthy latrine practices and improper
methods of disposal of human excreta
2. Town planning and urban waste management is lacking
3. Non existence of sewerage system in rural areas
1. Execution through Public Health Engineering Department and Local Government
and Rural Development Department.
46
2. Technical and material support from UNICEF

3. Financial support from government and donor agencies
4. Awareness raising and advocacy by health personnel, education department
personnel, religious leadership, public representatives and LHWs and NGOs and
CBOs.
Follow up Actions;
1. Motivation of public by NGOs and personnel from government functionaries for
adopting/ owning water supply schemes, hand pumps and hygienic sanitary means
schemes for their sustainability and maintenance.
2. Community involvement for effective functioning and full utilization of water
supply and hygienic sanitation schemes. Formation of supervisory bodies
consisting community members, government functionaries and NGOs to ensure
100% accurate functioning and utilization of these schemes.
Goal E:
Development and implementation of national health Policies and Programs for
adolescents, including goals and indicators, to promote their physical and mental health
Objective:
Providing the adolescents guidance and environment for development of their physical
and mental health through implementation of national policies and appropriate programs
to achieve progress by the year 2015
Current Situation:
 Due to high rate of poverty in Pakistan and majority of population living in rural
areas, there are high dropouts from primary level. The dropout rate is higher in girls.
Curriculum and capabilities of Teaching staff in middle and secondary schools lack
appropriate skills to provide guidance to adolescents.
 Secondary schools teachers with vocational training are very low in rural areas as per
requirement of adolescent population.
 Coverage by NGOs and private sector for the rehabilitation and help of adolescents is
negligible.
 Lack of cooperation and coordination in the stakeholders, welfare organization,
NGOs, CBOs etc.
Priorities:
1. Improvement of Quality of Formal Education at Middle and secondary level (for
adolescent age students).
2. Arrange non-formal Education opportunities for out of schools or dropped out
students in adolescent stage, especially in rural areas and for females.
3. Involvement of adolescents in vocational skill development opportunities
4. Involvement of NGOs, Health personnel, Community, School Authorities for
establishment of Counseling centers to correct adolescent in adequacies in relevant
information on reproductive health.
47
Targets:
Providing adolescents awareness during the important phase of life in personality and
character building and channelize their energies and initiatives positively towards
construction. Involve rural and urban adolescents in various programs and activities,
sports, skills and social activities.
1. Basic and refresher Training programs of Teachers for help and guidance of
adolescents in schools.
2. Special activities in schools by conducting group classes for adolescents to educate
them in reproductive health including AIDS.
3. Non-formal education with the collaboration of NGOs, CBOs and Community
involvement.
4. Implementation of vocational trades in secondary schools.
5. Intervention of linkage with vocational skills development opportunities with Non-
Formal Education through NGOs, CBOs and Communities.
6. Expansion of services in rural and urban areas.
7. Training and capacities building for teachers, social workers, police, Juvenile Justice,
personnel who work with adolescent / youth.
Activating Actions:
1. Health awareness through media and health education programs.
2. Promotion of schools health services for participation of adolescent to acquire special
information on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS.
3. Refresher Training of Health Personnel of FLCFs on mental health.
4. Strengthening vocational guidance and vocational education in schools.
5. Development of Non-formal education and rehabilitation of dropped out male and
female adolescents in vocational training through NGOs.
6. Awareness for avoiding early age marriages of girls and reproductive health
awareness.
Time Frame:
Strengthen and co-operative efforts of stakeholders, departments, NGOs, CBOs and
communities to provide an environment to grow to adulthood. Generation will grow
satisfactorily by 2015.
Resources Required:
1. Financial Resources for introduction of vocational subjects and training of teachers.
2. NGO support for Non-formal education.
3. Funds and sources for rehabilitation centers for adolescents who are dropped out from
primary education
4. Training workshops for school Teachers and social workers as well as for master
trainers.
5. Curriculum, Books and Material Production.
6. Financial, Material and Technical support from Donors.
48
Expected Out Comes:

With joint efforts of Health, Education and Social Welfare Department and coordination
with NGOs, CBOs, Communities, and the adolescents will be provided an environment to
grow as successful adults and strong and active members of the society.
Gaps:
1. Curriculum needs revision, amendment and improvements to suit the needs of
adolescents.
2. No special Training to staff
3. Majority of population is in rural areas where school students dropout rate,
particularly in females is very high, there is rarely any arrangement for their
rehabilitation or follow-up.
4. NGOs and CBOs are lacking in remote rural areas.
5. No sports or recreation facilities are available, especially for females in rural areas.
Responsibilities / Partnerships:
1. Health Department to provide guidance and protection on general and reproductive
health in hospitals and FLCFs.
2. Education Department to arrange training of teachers for appropriate guidance of
adolescents and improvement of existing curriculum. Introduction of vocational
subjects and courses in schools, particularly in rural schools. Develop playgrounds in
schools (male/female) and involve adolescents in sports, games and other social
activities.
3. Social Welfare Department to organize NGOs, CBOs and community involvement
and promote functions of communities with maximum participation of adolescents.
4. Rural Development and Local Government Department to involve communities and
adolescents in various programs.
5. NGOs / CBOs to start activities in remote rural areas for general public and for
adolescents.
6. International Agencies like UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, US AID should provide
Technical, material and Financial Assistance.
Follow Up Actions:
1. Data collection for activities, facilities provided in schools.
2. Data collection for teachers trained, students benefited, NGOs, CBOs organized
services in how many localities, major activities, number of adolescents, male,
females benefited. Identification of areas neglected and supplementing activities of
survey area.
3. Coordination sessions between stakeholders from grass root level to higher levels for
analysis and improvement and planning.
Goal G:
Access through the primary health care system to reproductive health for all individuals
of appropriate ages as soon as possible and no later than 2015
49
Objectives:
1. Reduction in low birth weight of newborns through improvement of nutrition of
pregnant mothers
2. Develop supplementary feedings.
3. Awareness raising about reproductive health, nutrition, antenatal and post-natal care
by trained and skilled attendants
4. Advocacy for increasing marriage age
5. Promotion of child spacing
Current Situation:
These infant and maternal health and welfare indicators put Pakistan much behind most
of the developing countries in the region:
1. The IMR 84 per 1000 live births,
2. U5MR 125 per 1000 live births,
3. MMR 530 per 100,000 live births;
4. low birth weight 21%,
5. stunting prevalence 23%,
6. underweight prevalence 38%
7. wasting prevalence 11%.
8. The existing network of health facilities from village/ union council level to markaz,
tehsil, district and tertiary level are providing reproductive health services.
9. Population Welfare Programme is providing information and services to the target
population to encourage voluntary adoption of birth spacing.
10. NGOs in Pakistan are providing services on reproductive health and counseling for
child spacing.
11. National Program for Family Planning and Primary Health Care has been very
effectively advocating for Primary Health Care, Family Planning, Nutrition and
immunization through its huge field force of Lady Health Workers.
12. Expanded Programme of Immunization has been providing vaccination to eligible and
pregnant women for maternal and neonatal tetanus.
Priorities:
1. Integration of coordinating efforts among various sectors and programs for raising
awareness for elimination of malnutrition in pregnant women and children especially
girl children, promotion of breast feeding, reducing low birth weight, improvement in
immunization coverage, control of diarrhea through ORT, elimination of iodine, iron
and vitamin A deficiency and ARI control.
2. Coordination with NGOs for raising awareness through community organization for
counseling on child spacing and for success of all programs mentioned in No.1 above.
3. Strengthen Lady Health Workers Program by completion of recruitment and training
of remaining phases, refresher training to working LHWs, close supervision and
provision of Health Education tools to LHWs for improving IPC.
Target:
1. Reduction of IMR, U5MR, MMR, elimination of low weight birth, universal
immunization, reduction in malnutrition as per targets set by 2015.
50
2. Universal access to antenatal care, all deliveries by trained birth attendants, postnatal
care, breast feeding, develop contraceptive prevalence and counseling for child
spacing to 80% by 2015.
1. Awareness raising through media and IPC
2. Strengthening and support of LHWs for dissemination of information through IPC
and door-to-door contact
3. Community involvement through LHWs, population welfare workers and volunteers
family planning association of Pakistan and other NGOs for sustainable efforts on
child spacing and reproductive health
4. Improvement of primary health care service particularly in rural areas with improved
supervision, monitoring and evaluation process
Activating Actions:
1. Improvement of quality care provided to pregnant women at MCH centers, BHUs,
RHCs and hospitals through on job training and refresher courses for staff
2. Strengthening of referral system for mothers with complications detected by LHWs
and FLCFs staff
3. Screening of all pregnant and lactating women for anemia and malnutrition and iodine
deficiency
4. Improvement of natal care by involvement of community for maximum utilization of
health facilities so that maximum deliveries are conducted by trained and skilled
health personnel
Time Frame:
The achievement in IMR, U5MR, MMR, low birth weight, immunization coverage, and
elimination of malnutrition, iodine, iron and vitamin A deficiency will be achieved
according to set targets.
The current rate of contraceptive prevalence will be enhanced from 23.9% to 50.0% in
2010 and to 60.0% in 2015.
Resources Required:
Financial resources for;
 Awareness raising
 Training of staff and refresher courses
 Contraceptives
 Food supplementation
Financial resources;
1. Government of Pakistan budget
2. Donor countries/ donor agencies
3. Community/ NGO resources
Expected Outcomes;
The IMR, U5MR, MMR and low birth weight will be reduced, malnutrition, iodine
deficiency, iron and vitamin A deficiencies will be eliminated or reduced. Contraceptive
prevalence will be increased.
51
Gaps;
 Utilization of Health Facilities needs to be improved through community
involvement.
 More NGOs need to be activated in rural areas.
 Coordination between stakeholders and LHWs programme for promotion of
counseling on child spacing, reproductive health and contraceptive utilization.
 Effective public awareness programmes are needed.
 Financial resources are needed according to UN recommended parameters as the
available funds; federal/ provincial budgets do not produce required results.
 Health department to improve PHC health delivery/ PHC services and gear up
immunization, nutrition programs.
 Population welfare department to extend reproductive health services throughout
the country.
 National programme for FP and PHC to complete selection and training of LHWs
in grey areas
 NGOs/ FPAP to activate community and provide support to existing reproductive
health program, immunization, nutrition for reduction of IMR, U5MR, MMR, low
birth weight etc.
Follow up Actions;
1. Regular supervisory visits to rural FLCFs by district government officials.
2. Joint evaluation sessions by sector representatives, NGOs and community
members.
3. Surveys for evaluation
4. Proper documentation of achievements
B. COMBATING HIV/AIDS
Goal A:
Reduction in HIV prevalence, among young men and women, aged 15-24 years by 25
percent by 2008 and a further 25% by 2015. To establish time bound national targets to
achieve the internationally agreed global prevention goal to reduce HIV prevalence
among young men and women aged 15-24 in the most affected countries and to intensify
efforts to achieve these targets as well as to challenge gender stereotypes and attitudes,
and gender inequalities in relation to HIV/AIDS, and encourage the active involvement of
men and boys.
Objectives:
1. Reduce the HIV prevalence among young men and women aged 15-24 to 25% by
2008 and further reduction to 25% by 2015.
2. Intensification of efforts to achieve control on the spread of HIV/ AIDS.
3. Raise awareness among people to eliminate gender disparities and discriminations in
relation to HIV/AIDS encouraging the active involvement of men and boys.
52
Current Situation:
 HIV infected 1741
 AIDS cases reported to the National AIDS Programme 231
 Tests carried out 3.526 million up till 30th September 2002 on the
recommended categories for diagnosis (volunteers, suspected/ referred cases),
routine blood screening before transfusion and surveillance.
According to available data , there are 7 AIDS cases of 15-24 years (6 males and 1
female). There are 14 HIV Positive cases of 15-19 years and 369 cases of 20-22 years
(break up of 15-24 is not available). Prevalence of HIV infection remains below 5% in
vulnerable populations. Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence in vulnerable
population is reduced from baseline levels.
Priorities:
1. Awareness campaigns with special approach to vulnerable target groups and
counseling on appropriate sexual behavior and use of safety methods.
2. Establishment of Blood Bank at all THQ level hospitals with necessary equipment
and staff.
3. Establishment of HIV/AIDS diagnostic set up with availability of all concerned
equipment and chemicals at all teaching hospitals, DHQ hospitals and THQ hospitals.
4. Development of a comprehensive package to ensure screening of all blood and its
products for HIV and Hepatitis B, both in public and private sector, free of cost.
5. Establishment of Aids Control Centers at provincial level under supervision of
prominent epidemiologists.
6. Each health care facility should be able to provide referral services with pathology
departments of teaching hospitals and medical colleges and should be able to manage
all diagnosed cases of AIDS and keep track of over 80% HIV positive cases and 90%
of AIDS cases.
Target:
Reduction of HIV prevalence among young men and women of 15-24 years to 25% by
2005 and further 25% by 2010 through intensification of diagnostic and treatment
services. Raise awareness through media and IPC and eliminate gender disparities.
1. Development of HIV/AIDS National Programme under the Federal Ministry of
Health with technical support by WHO and establishment of provincial PIUs.
2. Establishment of provincial blood transfusion authorities to regulate blood banks and
screening of blood before transfusion.
3. Health education campaign through media.
4. Involvement of NGOs and private organizations for control of transmission of AIDS.
Activating Actions:
1. Promulgation of ordinance for mandatory screening of blood before transfusion
(Ordinance Capital Territory Islamabad has already been issued).
2. Production and distribution of health education material.
3. Establish 20 new surveillance centers in addition to already existing 25 surveillance
centers.
53
4. Supply of diagnostic kits and laboratory consumables and equipment to all provinces,
AJK, FANA and Federal centers.
5. Conducting training workshops on AIDS with coordination of NGOs.
Time Frame:
Prevalence of HIV/AIDS to be less than 0.11% by year 2015
Resources Required:
Human Resources
a. Additional (separate) staff at the existing health institutions to handle AIDS
cases if number of patient increases.
b. Staff for blood transfusion services should expand to THQ level.
c. Staff for establishment of a system of monitoring for private sector.
d. Out-reach staff facilities for extending counseling services to vulnerable
groups.
Financial Resources
e. Training of staff.
f. Construction of separate rooms for isolation of AIDS patients in the existing
hospitals.
g. Funds for establishment of blood banks.
h. Training programmes for NGOs, community leaders, teaching staff of schools/
colleges.
Expected Outcomes;
HIV prevalence in age group 15-24 will be reduced as per target by 2010.
Gaps;
1. Religious teachings have a great impact in the control of AIDS, but the Govt. has not
close ties with the religious teachers
2. There is lack of understanding of life style given by Islam.
3. Mandatory blood screening is lacking at all levels.
Ministry of health through National AIDS Program is primarily responsible to combat
the disease. International organizations are required to provide technical and financial
assistance.
Goal B:
By 2008, reduce the proportion of infants infected with HIV by 25 percent, and by a
further 25 percent by 2015..
Objectives:
1. Reduce the proportion of infants infected with HIV by 25% upto 2008 and by another
25% upto 2010.
2. Ensure that 80% of pregnant women obtaining antenatal care have the facility of
getting information and counseling and other HIV prevention services available to
them.
54
3. Reduce mother to child transmission of HIV by effective treatment.

4. Develop effective interventions for HIV infected women including voluntary and
confidential counseling and testing.
5. To make access to treatment, especially anti retrieval therapy and where appropriate
provide breast milk substitutes and establish provision of a continuum of care.
Current Situation:
 HIV infected 1741
 AIDS cases 231
 National AIDS programme 3526 million tests carried out up til
30th September 2002 on the recommended categories for diagnosis (volunteers
– suspected referred case), routine blood screening before transfusion and
surveillance.
 AIDS confirmed cases (0-4) years, 5 (2 male and 3 female)

 HIV positive cases, 0-4 years 24.
Priorities:
1. Strengthening IPC/ counseling on AIDS to 80% pregnant women visiting health
facilities for antenatal care and through LHWs.
2. Extended training to health services staff, Education (teachers), Social Welfare, Local
Government staff, Community leadership and NGOs for raising awareness among
pregnant women, community members to stop devastating effect of AIDS on
children.
3. Expansion of AIDS screening and treatment centers in government and private sector
so as to make available the HIV prevention and treatment services to babies and
pregnant women infected by HIV AIDS.
4. Capacity building and programme management for increasing number of blood banks,
and blood screening and blood transfusion services.
Target:
Reduction of HIV by 20% up to 2005 and 50% up to 2% and provision of information
and counseling services to women on prevention of HIV/ AIDS.
1. Training of blood banks, blood transfusion and health centers staff in dealing with
HIV/ AIDS affairs.
2. Involvement of NGOs in combating HIV/ AIDS.
3. Health education campaign through electronic media.
Activating Actions:
1. Notification of Blood Transfusion Authority on provincial / regional level and
enactment of respective transfusion of safe blood ordinances and enforcement there
of.
2. Establishment of 20 new and strengthening of 25 existing surveillance centers as per
following detail;
55
Sr. No. Province Numbers

1 Federal FANA 10
2 Punjab 10
3 Sindh 8
4 NWFP/ FATA 7
5 Balochistan 8
6 AJK 2
3. Supply of diagnostic kits and laboratory consumables/ equipment to all centers

4. NGOs support for patients living with AIDS in identification and surveillance.
5. Production of printed health education material.
6. Awareness raising campaign through media etc.
Time Frame:
All actions (1-6) stated above to be completed within 2003. Awareness raising campaign
on media, counseling services, blood screening prior to blood transfusion will continue as
part of surveillance. Infection of HIV/ AIDS will be reduced in infants to 20% by 2005
and to 50% by 2010.
Resources Required:
1. Human Resource Development: Training of staff of health department for handling
AIDS affected persons, blood banks, blood transfusion, laboratory, are health care
staff in safe handling of HIV/ AIDS cases.
2. Material Resource Development: Provision of diagnostic kits, consumables in labs,
blood transfusion centers and blood banks.
3. Financial resources for emoluments of staff. Training expenses, training workshop,
media services and health education campaign, monitory and evaluation and research
studies.
Expected Outcomes;
Mechanism of HIV/ AIDS cases search, screening, handling treatment will be
strengthened in the whole country with adequate surveillance system. Awareness about
combating HIV/ AIDS and protection there of will be normal in public and specially in
vulnerable population. Infection of HIV/ AIDS in infants will be reduced to 20% by 2005
and to 50% by 2010.
Gaps;
1. Budgetary allocations are not upto the requirements.
2. Appointment/ Nominations of full time programme managers have not been dare in
all provinces and therefore provincial/ regional implementation units are not fully
operative.
3. The respective surveillance centers are not carrying out routine Sentinel Surveillance
on population sub group having high-risk behavior.
4. Provincial sexually transmitted diseases control plans have not been prepared.
5. Administrative structure for blood transfusion services in all provinces (except
Punjab) has not been framed.
56
1. Provincial Health Department to own the Aids Programme. Operate and monitor HIV/
AIDS control services through provincial PIUs and maintain a referral and diagnostic
network with pathology departments of teaching hospitals and medical colleges and
field health care facilities.
2. UNAIDS, WHO, UNICEF, JICA and UNESCO and other international and donor
agencies to provide technical assistance and guidance and provide equipment and
financial assistance for control of HIV/ AIDS.
3. Population Welfare Department, Line Departments, District Governmnets and NGOs
to provide assistance and support in training activities and public awareness for HIV/
AIDS protection.
C. PROVIDING QUALITY EDUCATION

Goal A:
Expand and improve comprehensive early childhood care and education for girls and
boys especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
Objectives:
1. Introduction of Pre School and preprimary education, regularizing of Kachi class to
form a strong foundation for primary education
2. Implementation and enforcement of legislation for compulsory education
3. Intervention of playgroup classes, day care centers
4. Focusing on early age children for educational activities particularly in rural areas for
persuasions and mental preparedness of pre school children and their parents
5. Develop early childhood education by increasing participation to 40% by 2010 and
50% by 2015.
Current Situation:
1. Pre-primary (Katchi) class is not yet compulsory in all primary schools. Education
department is considering including a class prior to class one (i.e. Katchi class) in
primary schools.
2. Nursery and playgroup classes for early age children are available only in private
English medium schools in urban areas.
3. Very limited number of Day Care Centers for children of working women under the
arrangement of Social Welfare Department has been functioning in cities only. There
is no such arrangement available in rural areas.
Priorities:
1. Preprimary class to be declared part of primary education and children less than five
years to be encouraged for enrolment in Katchi class
2. An intervention of domestic preschool class to be introduced with community
involvement for orientating preschool children at home, or children of ten to fifteen
nearby houses to be gathered in one house for few hours daily. One educated lady
may guide the children with the help of educational games and picture books ad lately
start syllabus of Katchi class.
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3. Curriculum for katchi class to be designed. Picture books already available should be
utilized and further attractive picture books to be developed.
4. NGOs, CBOs and Community may organize preschool classes and play classes for
preschool children in rural areas.
5. Special health care of preschool children to be organized with collaboration of NGOs,
CBOs, Community, FLCF concerned and LHW
Target:
Expand and improve early childhood care and education for girls and boys, especially for
the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children. By mean of Katchi class regularization,
enhancement and development of day care centers, domestic preschool classes with the
involvement of health, education, social welfare department, NGOs, CBOs and
community participation 60% boys and girls by 2010 and 80% boys and girls by the year
2015 will be provided special care for ideal development and preprimary preparatory
education facilities so as to ensure universal access to compulsory primary education.
1. Training courses/ refreshers courses for teachers to deal with early aged children
2. Community involvement and community participation and training workshops to
be organized for introduction of intervention of domestic early childhood
education classes.
3. Joint workshops, seminars and conferences to be convened involving health
department, education department, social welfare department, NGOs, CBOs for
early childhood care and education
4. Awareness raising through electronic and print medias for maximum involvement
of early aged children in education process.
Activating Actions:
1. National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) and EFA wing may
coordinate for inclusion of Katchi Class in primary level in all government schools.
2. EFA and NFE centers may also enroll preschool children.
3. Number of early childhood education centers in government schools should be
increased.
4. Curriculum for preschool children should be publicized for facilitation of domestic
early child hood classes, NGOs, and CBOs.
5. Community basic education schools may also be established in rural areas.
Time Frame:
50% target may be achieved till 2010 and 80% target may be achieved till 2015
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Resources Required:
Sr. No. Areas for which Resources are required Financial Implementing
Resources Agencies
1 Provision of rooms for early childhood Government of Building
education Pakistan department
2 Training of teachers for Early Childhood Government of Education
education related Teachers Pakistan department
3 Innovation and intervention of domestic Donor Agencies NGOs, CBOs,
early childhood education classes. Community
4 Training courses for domestic early Donor Agencies Education
education center staff/ volunteers department, NGOs,
CBOs, community
5 Provision of curriculum, books and Donor Agencies NGOs/CBOs,
education material Community
6 Early age education at EFA centers Donor Agencies NGOs/CBOs,
Community
7 Early age education at NFE centers Donor Agencies NGOs/CBOs,
Community
Expected Outcomes;
A foundation for primary education will be established. More number of children male
and female will be prepared for primary education. It will increase primary school
enrolment rate. Female enrolment in primary schools will be increased. Attention will be
focused on early age children and their development will be monitored in a better way.
Gaps;
1. Early education centers are very limited in number..
2. EFA and NFE centers are not undertaking early childhood education classes.
3. Introduction of domestic early childhood classes still needs to be focused by NGOs,
CBOs and communities.
4. National curriculum prepared for early childhood education needs to be publicized
and circulated all around.
1. Government (Federal / Provincial) to provide funds for additional rooms and arrange
training of teachers for early childhood education teachers
2. NGOs, CBOs, village education committees, school education committees may give
attention to early childhood education initiatives.
3. Donor Agencies may liberally provide grants for early child hood education
innovations (UNESKO, UNICEF etc.).
Follow up Actions;
National commission may do monitoring of early childhood education for Human
Development, EFA wing of the education department. Education committees may be
activated at all levels to follow up the process.
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Goal B:
Reduce the number of primary school age children who are out of school by 50 percent
and increase net primary school enrolment or participation in alternative, good primary
education programs to at lest 90% by 2010.
Objectives:
1. Enhance primary education rate to 90% by 2010 and 95% by 2015.
2. Reduce gender disparity to 90% by 2010 and 100% by 2015.
3. Eliminate primary school age (5-9 years) out of school children by achieving
universal primary school education by 2015.
Current Situation:
1. Net primary school attendance as reported by UNICEF (“The State of the World’s
Children 2003”) during 2001 was as under;
Boys: 50%
Girls 41%
2. According to situation analysis contained in National Plan of Action for Education

(2000-2015) regarding primary education;
a. Primary schools lack physical facilities including buildings furniture, tats,
black boards, chalks and charts etc.
b. Absenteeism is more common in rural areas.
c. Parents and children are not interested in education since they are not able to
understand the benefits. They take education only as a means to get
employment for their children. When parents observe that many educated
persons are still un-employed, the rest of them lose their interest in sending
their children to schools.
d. Un attractive school environment has resulted in poor retention and a high
drop out rate.
Priorities:
1. Rehabilitation and up-gradation of physical facilities in existing schools. Shelterless
and dilapidated schools to be attended. Addition of new classrooms, provision of
facilities like water supply, toilets and boundary walls
2. Improvement of quality of education through teacher education and training
3. Enforcement of compulsory education law in entire country
4. Private sector partnership, NGOs, CBOs and community involvement
Target:
To provide universal access to compulsory primary education to all children by 2015 with
special emphasis on girls and children in difficult circumstances. It will be ensured that
all children between the ages of 5-9 complete primary education.
1. Opening of new primary schools
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2. Opening of Masjid Maktab Schools

3. Establishment of non-formal schools
4. Introduction of double shift in existing schools
Activating Actions:
1. Left out and dropped out children to be brought back in mainstream of primary
education through combined efforts of the NGOs, CBOs, community and health
committees particularly in rural areas.
2. Private sector to make up gaps of government primary schools and establish easily
accessible Primary Education Schools/ centers
3. Education committees and school, parents- teachers working relationship should be
established.
4. New classrooms and schools to be constructed on the basis of objective and
demographic criteria. Preference to be given to female schools
5. Education committees, community, NGOs and CBOs in collaboration with education
department should point out the parents who do not send their children for primary
education.
6. Refresher courses for teachers to be arranged to eliminate absenteeism and teachers to
improve their attitude towards children
Time Frame:
Increase gross participation rate from 83% to 90% in 2010 and 95% by 2015. Elimination
of gender disparity up to 90% by 2010 and 100% by 2015
Resources Required:
Finances required for the following purposes;
 Construction of new schools, addition of new rooms in existing schools, repairs of
old schools.
 Training of primary teachers
 Refresher trainings for primary teachers
 Provision of lacking facilities like tats, black boards, water supply latrines in
primary schools
 Training of female teachers for rural and backward areas
Expected Outcomes;
1. Universal accesses to primary education by 2015 both for boys and girls
2. Elimination of left outs and dropped outs from primary education with educating them
through EFA and NFE with the involvement of communities, NGOs and CBOs.
3. Elimination of gender disparity in primary education by 2015
Gaps;
1. Lack of supervision in primary education
2. Teacher absenteeism
3. Non-availability of schools in some backward rural areas
4. Non enforcement and non compliance of compulsory primary education law
5. Insufficient financial resources for primary education
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1. Education department to monitor the entire primary education process and complete
mapping of schools in rural areas
2. Private sector to share responsibilities in establishing schools and help achieving
universal access to primary education
3. Government to provide adequate funds for primary education
4. Community, NGOs, CBOs to search out left over and dropped out children and bring
them in mainstream of education by providing them Non Formal Education (NFE)
and Basic Education for All (BEFA).
Follow up Actions;
1. Supervisory staff should undertake adequate supervision.
2. Refresher courses should be organized for teachers to improve their teaching.
3. Enforcement of compulsory primary education law should be ensured.
4. NGOs, CBOs, education committees and community should be involved in
improvement of primary education coverage.
Goal-C
Eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005 and achieve
gender equality in education by 2015, with a focus on en ensuring girl’s full and equal
access to and achievement in basic education of good quality.
Objectives:
1. Ensure that by 2015 all girls and children in different circumstances have access to
and complete free and compulsory primary education of good quality.
2. Eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005 and achieve
gender equality in education by 2015, with a focus on ensuring girls full and equal
access to and achievement in basic education of good quality.
Current Situation:
Girls have a considerably lower enrollment rate than the boys. The difference is markedly
larger in rural areas than in urban areas. Girls enrollment is only 40% of the total primary
school enrollment.
There were 1170,000 (60%) boys enrolled in primary schools during 1999-2000 against
8679000 (40%) girls enrolled. There were 94500 boys and 76000 girls schools in the
country during 1999-2000. This clearly indicates disparity in male and female genders in
education sectors.
Priorities:
1. Construction of new schools for girls
2. Training of female teachers, especially for rural areas
3. Promoting education for all new non formal education classes to eliminate
disparity in girls education.
4. Awareness raising through media for development of gender equality in education
– which recognize the need for changes in attitudes, values and practices.
5. Activate community participation through education committees.
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Targets:
Eliminate gender disparities by 2005 and achieve gender equality by 2015.
Proposed Strategies For Gender Equity:
a) Assign teachers to schools on the basis of empirical need and reduce transfer rate
by recruiting local teachers for local schools.
b) Ensure a better distribution and optimum utilization of teachers.
c) Relaxation of qualification where no female teacher is available
d) Primary schools should be co-education schools.
e) All new primary schools should be opened with the ratio 60:40 i.e. 60 for female
and 40 for male. Similarly the female male teachers’ ratio in new school shall be
70:30.
f) In order to attract and retain female teachers in rural areas and difficult region of
the country special incentives including monetary incentive will be given to
female teachers.
Activating Actions:
1. Special focus on female education through integration of government, donors and
international agencies resources for female education to eliminate disparity for
gender
2. Adopt suitable measures for gender equality by extending number of education
institutions and availability of required number of female teachers.
3. All provinces to provide free education to girls up to secondary level
4. Support and develop establishment of village education / school management and
make them legal entities.
5. Expand education for all (EFA) and non-formal education campaigns
concentrating on girls and bringing them to mainstream of formal education
system.
Time Frame:
Equalize male and female primary education facilities (elimination of gender disparity by
2005 and achieve gender equality by 2015).
Resources Required:
1. Financial resources required for opening new schools in specific areas.
2. Funds for additional training of female teachers so as to meet the need of female
folks with the efforts of achieving equity
3. Funds for monetary incentives for female teachers for working in rural and
unattractive areas
4. Funds for books and educational materials
5. Funds to meet the requirements of free education to females
Expected Outcome:
 Requisite financial resources are lacking.
 Adequate system to search and rehabilitate the left outs and dropped out girls from
primary education with the help of community and NGOs does not exist.
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 There are less female teachers available for rural, backward and difficult areas.
 Lack of incentives for girls to attend schools with commitment and devotion
 Non- existence of girls primary schools or availability of a school at an in-
accessible distance.
 Heavy population growth rate and burden of house hold work in large families on
the female children.
 Poor impact of non-government organizations on motivating parents and girls
Responsibilities / Partnership:
1. Education department to raise the number of female teachers in primary schools
and provide training facilities for female teachers for backward areas with
monetary incentives and upper age limit and basic qualification relaxations
2. Imams to share responsibilities of primary education including girl students in
early classes
3. NGOs, CBOs, Community to participate in elimination of discrimination and
disparity for female students
4. Government through education department may monitor the process of
elimination of gender disparity and provide funds for manpower development.
5. NGOs and CBOs, Community education committees may join hands to promote
elimination of gender disparities.
Follow Up Actions:
1. Community based education committees and NGOs to confirm through mopping
up operations that no girl is out of schools.
2. NGOs, CBOs already involved in EFA and NFA operations to ensure that all left
out and dropped outs girls are repatriated to education through EFA and NFA and
they are brought back to the main stream of formal education.
3. An adequate monitoring and supervisory system to evaluate equalization process
4. Surveys of population may be conducted to determine the sustainability of gender
non- discrimination and maintenance of equity and equality in gender issue.
Goal D:
Improve all aspects of quality of education so that children and young people achieve
recognized and measure-able learning outcomes especially in numeracy, literacy and
essential life skills.
Objectives:
1. To explore and examine factors facilitating and hindering the process of learning of
children and devise means best for the children.
2. Improve school environment to facilitate adequate learning by boys and girls of early
childhood, primary education level, adolescents and grown ups.
Current Situation:
1. Pre Primary – Early Childhood Education - Katchi class (preprimary) has not been
rationalized in government schools due to scarcity of resources. In private sector
schools, however pre primary education is in existence to some extent with the so-
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called labels of K.G., Prep, and Nursery etc. Children below 5 years learn basic
concepts of literacy and numeracy. But their number is limited as compared to the
total 3-5 years age group population.
2. Religious Education – In Pakistan, Quranic/ Islamic education for all is emphasized,

particularly at an early age, both in urban and rural areas and almost equally for males
and females. Quranic education is imparted formally or informally at mosques,
madrassas or at homes. It is an effective way to inculcate moral values and teach life
skills at an early age. It is estimated that more than 80% children of 4-10 years age
group do get Islamic education.
3. Primary Education (5-9) years – Gross participation rate at primary level is 88%
(male 106% and female 66%). Net participation rate is 66% (Male 82% and Female
50%). Universal access to primary education is aimed to be achieved by 2015. Apart
from formal education in regular government and private sector schools, many other
programmes are being carried out to achieve universal access to primary education.
These are education for all (EFA), non formal education (NFE) and many other
programs started by NGOs and donor agencies.
Priorities:
1. Construction of new schools, addition to existing schools, repair and provision of
more facilities in the existing schools.
2. Reforms in pre service teacher training include revision of curricula, revamping
textbooks and instructional material. Revamping in service training.
3. Enforcement of curricula, which may encourage enquiry, creativity and progressive
thinking among students. Major effort shall be directed towards improving the
delivery of the curriculum.
4. Introducing Kachi class in the government primary schools will be done. Private
sector may continue developing pre-primary classes.
Target:
Improving all aspects of quality education so as to enable children and young people to
achieve recognized and measure able learning outcomes especially in numeracy, literacy
and essential life skills universally by 2015.
1. Provide access to all primary school age children a maximum of 19.6 million places/
seats to complete the required seats by 2006.
2. Opening of 8250 new schools under ESR (2001-2004).
3. An addition of 2500 new mosque schools will be made to the existing 27000
mosques.
4. More schools to be opened under Non Formal Basic Education Scheme, National
Education Foundation and other schemes.
5. Teacher training will be expanded.
6. ICTs will be utilized for training of educators, teacher trainers and managerial people
to promote quality EFA.
7. Text books will be revised, incentives to be provided to teachers for producing
attractive learning materials.
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Activating Actions:
1. Sanctioned strength of teachers in primary and upgraded middle schools to be
increased.
2. Services of Pesh Imams will be utilized for each masjid Maktab Schools. New Pesh
Imam to be appointed in new Masjid Maktabs.
3. In order to improve the monitoring and supervision of the schools, additional
supervisors/ learning coordinators, will be appointed.
4. Private sector to be encouraged to invest in education.
5. NGOs, CBOs, Community and education committees to play their roles in attainment
of quality education and improvement of school environment.
Time Frame:
Required number of primary level schools to be achieved by 2006. Universal access to
primary education be achieved for males by 2010 as for females by 2015.
Resources Required:
1. Financial resources required for infra structure of primary schools, addition, new
constructions, repairs and provision of lacking facilities.
2. Finances required for up-gradation of primary schools to middle schools.
3. Finances required for training of teachers and refresher trainings for in service
teachers.
4. Finances required for appointment of Pesh Imams in Masjid Maktabs.
Expected Outcomes;
By the year 2015, universal access to free primary education for males and females will
be achieved and all disparities of gender, rural and urban whatsoever will be eliminated
and children will be educated in secure environment providing opportunities to students
of both sexes to develop capabilities in numeracy, literacy and essential life skills.
Gaps;
1. Distances as well as lack of facilities in schools.
2. Sub standard text books and obsolete curricula.
3. Poverty of parents and lack of understanding about worth of education.
4. Demand for separate girls schools and lack of adequate financial support.
5. Non-availability of qualified and experienced female staff.
6. Lack of incentives for girls to attend schools.
7. Poor impact of non-governmental organizations on motivating parents and girls.
1. Education department is responsible for monitoring, supervision and completing the
projects.
2. NGOs, CBOs, private sector to share load of education extension and education for all
projects.
3. Community through village education and school education committees.
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Follow up Actions;
1. District education authority will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation of
primary education and early childhood education programme.
2. District, Provincial and National Education Management Information Systems
(EMIS) will collect data/ information on core EFA indicators regularly to evaluate the
EFA programme.
Goal E:
Ensure that the learning needs of all young people are met through access to appropriate
learning and life skills programmes.
Objectives:
1. Ensure that all basic education programmes are accessible, inclusive and responsive to
children with special learning needs.
2. Develop special strategies for improving the quality of education and meeting the
learning needs of all children in terms of learning tools and contents.
3. Provide accessible recreational and sports opportunities and facilities at schools and
communities.
Current Situation:
Despite continuous best efforts of the Pakistan government the overall education scene of
Pakistan is not satisfactory. There are not sufficient resources available with the federal as
well as provincial governments. Only 2.06% of the GNP was reserved for education
during 2000-2001.
There are thousands of ghost schools. Absenteeism of teachers in rural areas is very
common. Schools of remote areas lack the required strength of teachers because either the
teachers get themselves transferred to areas of their choice or get themselves deputed on
loan or on general duty to the schools of their choice, but they continue to remain on the
strength of schools of remote areas and draw salaries from these schools. There is lack of
dedication and motivation among teachers, appointed on political basis. The primary
school curriculum is mostly urban- oriented and is not relevant to daily life of the rural
children.
Unattractive education/ school environment has resulted in poor retention and a high drop
out rate. Poverty, illiteracy and conservatism of the parents are generating negative
attitudes against education especially for girl’s education.
Priorities:
1. Curriculum to be developed in harmony with the needs and mental growth of the
children and in relevance to the needs of the community.
2. Provide required number of adequately trained teachers by providing them incentives
and residential facilities, particularly in the flung areas.
3. Arrange comprehensive teacher training, on- job refresher training and opportunities
for in service training and improvement of qualification with attractive package of
benefits and promotion.
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4. Provide incentives, free textbooks, free education and other facilities to children,
particularly for girl children to attract them to complete education, so that left over
and dropouts are controlled.
Target:
To provide an attractive school environment with improved and improvised curriculum
covered by adequately qualified, trained and devoted teachers.
Provide universal access to children with free primary education, meeting learning needs
of the children, providing them with sports and recreational activities in schools and
communities and develop their life skills by the year 2015.
1. Providing universal access to primary education by opening new primary schools,
opening Masjid Maktab schools, establishing non-formal basic education schools,
rehabilitation of existing schools and by introduction of double shift system in the
existing schools.
2. To improve the performance of existing schools and make full and optimum
utilization. New schools will be located as close as possible to the cluster of homes
where children live.
3. Incentive oriented approach to be adopted for the communities, villages and areas
proportionate to their degree of accomplishment and success.
4. Assignment of teachers to schools according to empirical need. Transfer rate to be
reduced by appointment of local teachers. Better distribution and optimum utilization
of teachers will be ensured.
5. Training facilities of teachers will be improved, and enhance the qualification of
teachers belonging to remote and backward areas.
6. In order to attract and retain female teachers in rural areas and difficult regions of the
country, special incentives to be given to female teachers.
Activating Actions:
1. Revise regulations and service rules for teachers and create stronger and transparent
personnel management mechanism. Enforce attendance and leave regulations with
strict action against absentees..
2. Highly interactive (participatory), learner centered teaching and training materials to
be produced. Training methods will be improved and improvised.
3. The curricula shall encourage enquiry, creativity and progressive thinking through
project-oriented education. The linkages among curriculum development, textbook
writing, teacher training and examination shall be reinforced.
4. Textbooks to be revised updated and improved to incorporate new knowledge, skills
and technologies. Incentive will be provided to teachers for producing new and
attractive learning materials, making use of audio, video and print media.
Time Frame:
The improved school environment with productive learning of modalities will be attained
and retained by the year 2015.
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Resources Required:
1. Construction of new schools, rehabilitation of depilated schools and rooms for shelter
less school.
2. Curriculum development.
3. Teacher’s training programmes.
4. Textbooks and other teaching material.
5. Audio video materials for education and recreation purposes.
6. Incentives for teachers, lady teachers and female students.
7. Improvement of school environment.
Expected Outcomes;
Universal primary education will be achieved by 2015 with quality education through
learning life skills by primary school children.
Gaps;
1. Distances as well as lack of facilities in schools.
2. Sub standard textbooks and irrelevant curricula.
3. Poverty of parents and lack of understanding of value of education.
4. Demand for separate girls schools and lack of adequate financial support.
5. Non-availability of qualified and experienced female staff.
6. Lack of incentives for girls to attend schools.
7. Poor impact of non-governmental organizations on motivating parents and girls.
Government through education departments
National and International funding agencies.
Follow up Actions;
3. District education authority will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation of
primary education and early childhood education programme.
4. District, Provincial and National Education Management Information Systems
(EMIS) will collect data/ information on core EFA indicators regularly to evaluate the
EFA programme.
Goal F:
Achieve a 50% improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015, especially for women.
Objectives:
Eliminate illiteracy in Pakistan and reduce female illiteracy to 50% by the year 2015.
Current Situation:
During 200-01, 51.8 million, out of a total of 101.5 million of 10+ age group population
(Male 21.4, female 30.4 million) were illiterates. According to economic survey of
Pakistan 2000-01, the overall literacy rate of the country was 49% (male 61.3% and
female 36.8%) at least one woman out of 3 is illiterate. Present rural literacy rate is only
37%.
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Priorities:
1. Establishment of field offices
2. Selection of NGOs and site/ areas
3. Training of master trainers, field functionaries, trainers, and teachers.
4. Procurement and distribution of equipment and material for offices and schools.
5. Registration of students and teaching/ learning activities at school level.
Target:
Present literacy rate (2001-02) actual 49%
Phase 1 (2001-02 to 2005-06) target 61%
Phase 2 (2005-06 to 2010-11) target 68%
Phase 3 (2011-12 to 2015-16) target 86%
The target gender equity, 86% literacy rate both for male and female is targeted by 2015.
More focus would be on rural areas as compared to urban. Rural literacy rate would be
increased from the existing 37% to 83% by the year 2015.
1. The literacy programme will be implemented by the District Literacy Department
through NGOs/ CBOs.
2. A unit of 50 schools to be allotted to one NGO.
3. Communities may also establish their adult literacy centers and NFBE by forming
CBO or village education committee (VEC) and have a networking with bigger
NGOs.
4. Government to provide;
a. Salary of the teachers
b. Free learning material
c. Teaching aids
5. Procedures for site selection, registration of students, selection of NGOs, forming of
CBOs and village education committee (VEC) prescribed by the education
department regulations will be followed.
Activating Actions:
1. Selection of sites from villages without primary school will be done with cooperation,
coordination and efforts of the district education officers, district government through
union councils, NGOs and CBOs.
2. Selection of teachers, mainly females will be done from local communities to avoid
absenteeism, with relaxation in age and qualification of female teachers from remote
and backward areas.
3. District Government (District Literacy Cell) will develop curricula and contents for
the training of teachers. Training of key persons, master trainers will be conducted at
national and provincial level while the teachers will be trained at district and tehsil
level.
4. Monitoring and supervision will be done by district officers. Examinations will be
conducted by authorized team and primary pass certificates will be issued by district
education officer.
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5. Integration of schools with formal education will be done by bringing the eligible
students on the basis of performance and age level to the main stream of formal
education. In this way left outs, dropped out and those never attending schools will be
educated through non formal basic education.
Time Frame:
The programme will be completed in three phases of 5 years each raising the literacy rate
by the end of each phase as shown below;
Phase I ( completing in 2005) 61%

Phase II (starting 2006 and completing 2010) 68%
Phase I (starting 2011 and completing 2015) 86%
Resources Required:
1. Human Resources – Each literacy center to be provided with one literacy teacher.
According to education sector reforms 45000 literacy teachers will be required during
1st year, 90,000 in the second year and 1,35,000 in the third year. From the year 2005
onwards 100,000-literacy teachers will be employed on contract every year for a
period of one year.
In addition to literacy teachers 2 trade/ vocational teachers will be employed on

contract during 3 phases of the plan as estimated below;
Phase –I 2,80,000
Phase –I1 2,60,000
Phase – III 1,80,000
Additional administrative, management and supervisory personnel will also be

required.
2. Financial Resources – Total cost of the plan period 2001 to 2015 is estimated to
Rs.180 billion. Detail is given below;
Phase wise total cost for literacy inputs;

Phase –I Rs.53,439 millions
Phase –II Rs.58,021 millions
Phase –III Rs.68,516 millions
Out of total Rs.180 billions, 51 billions (28%) will be development cost and Rs.129
billion (72%) will be the recurring cost.
Expected Outcomes;
Literacy level at 86% for both male and female, rual and urban will be achieved by the
year 2015.
Gaps;
Awareness at community and family level, particularly in rural, remote and backword
areas is lacking. Even NGOs and CBOs are not available for such backward areas.
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Awareness raising campaigns through media and inter personal communication through
staff of education, local government and social welfare department should be carried out.
The adult literacy and illiteracy elimination programme will be completed with
collaboration, coordination and cooperation of Education Department, Local Government
Department, District Government, Social Welfare Department, NGOs, CBOs,
Communities and Village Education Committees. Grants and financial resources from
Donor Agencies and UN Agencies is also important.
Follow up Actions;
Monitoring and evaluation will be done by the District Literacy Department. Education
Department and UNICEF to determine success of the programme may conduct
monitoring surveys.
D. SPECIAL PROTECTION
Armed Conflict
Goal
Protect children from the impact of armed conflict and ensure compliance with
international humanitarian law and human rights
Objective:
Protection of children from armed conflict
Time Frame:
Year 2005
Strategies/Actions:
1. Establishment of special rehabilitation centers for orphans and special children of the
armed conflict
2. Provision of proper health care and formal vocational education training
3. Rehabilitation
Responsibility & follow up actions:
1. Public and private sector organizations with the collaboration of NGOs and society
2. PBM
3. Donor agencies
4. Social Welfare and Women Development Department
Child Labor
Goal: Progressively prohibit, restrict, and regulate child labor with a view to its ultimate
elimination through a phased and multisectoral strategy.
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Objectives
1. Harmonization of child labour programmes through extensive coordination among

ministries (labour, social welfare, education, and health) and relevant provincial
departments
2. Child labor agenda meaningfully included in all social and development policies,
particularly PRSP, National Plan of Action on Education For All, and Education
Sector Reforms.
3. Reliable & gender sensitive information on child labour available in national survey
instruments (Labour Force Survey, PIHS and HIES)
4. Revision and implementation of national child labor laws and policies under
obligations of international commitments.
5. Mobilize District Governments to utilize funds allocated for ci
6. Raise awareness with employers and contractors of children in all sectors especially
hazardous.
7. Produce a national database on child labor statistics.
8. Introduce a child labor monitoring and referral system at district level linked with
provincial and federal government, involving NGOs and community.
9. Link children in all forms of child labor particularly worst forms and their families
with credit facilities and social safety nets.
10. Free access to formal and non-formal education, literacy and vocational training for
the child laborers.
11. Introduce Occupational Safety and Health standards at the work places for older
children (15-17years) for safer working conditions.
12. Activate electronic and print media on child labor issues.
Strategies/Actions
1. Harmonization and Synergies among government run programmes and with the
Donors run programmes on child labour.
2. Mass campaign that includes seminars, symposiums, and workshops on child labor
issues involving district governments, and contractors and employers.
3. Develop non-formal education facilities for children involve in child labor on a large
scale and make arrangement of their mainstreaming in the formal education system.
4. Implement Occupational Safety and Health Standards in all industries.
5. Review existing child labor policies and revise them with consultation of civil society.
6. Activate Citizen Community Boards (CCBs) on the issues of child labor on district
level.
7. Promote research at university level on child labor issues.
8. Involve university students in non-formal education of children.
9. Provision of recreational, educational and health facilities for child laborers in all
industrial sectors.
10. Enhanced wage rate and reduced working hours for children.
11. Consultations with NGOs, and community to develop a mutually identified child
labor monitoring system at the district level.
12. Micro credit financing for the families of child laborers through social safety
networks.
13. Surveys on child labor by FBS.
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14. Engage print and electronic media to continuously project issues of child labor on
media.
Responsibility and follow up actions
1. Govt functionaries
2. District Governments
3. Intelligentsia and academia
4. Ministry of Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis
5. Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education
6. National Commission on Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD)
7. Public and private universities
8. ILO-IPEC
9. NGOs
10. FPCCI
11. EPB
12. FBS
13. Electronic and print media
Child Trafficking
Goal: Protect children from trafficking for prostitution, camel races, organ transplant,
forced labor, drug smuggling, begging, pedophile, forced child marriages and other
exploitative forms of work.
Objectives
1. Revise national laws and policies under auspices of CRC to protect children from
trafficking.
2. Enhance the capacity of the key stakeholders and to mobilize them generate active
support towards implementation of National policy to prevent child trafficking.
3. Raise awareness on child trafficking at different levels aiming at changing perception,
attitude, traditional values and norms that keep people indifferent and inactive in the
combat against child trafficking.
4. Capacity building of law enforcers and service providers on child trafficking issues
5. Encourage local governments in vulnerable districts to take pro-active steps to prevent
child trafficking.
6. Create synergies among government departments and bridge the prevailing operation
and communication gap regarding child trafficking issue.
7. Provide education, health, and recreational facilities to all victims of trafficking.
1. Guarantee basic safety against repeated or future abuse, including the possibility of
‘re-trafficking’.
2. Introduce rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, activities and services are
directed at the survivor’s needs and rights, and are carried out efficiently and
effectively.
3. Arrange psychological counseling and support for the child survivor, in order to help
her/him to withstand the impact of the legal proceedings.
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4. Offer guarantee of support and assistance for the child survivor and her/his family,
making them feel more secure and safe.
5. Arrange reunification of children with their families.
6. Familiarize the child survivors with procedures of the justice system.
7. Introduce protection through the social service system.
8. Develop a legal aid programme or the criminal justice system for the victims of
trafficking.
9. Build up network of professionals and organizations committed to data gathering, fact
compilation and verification, reporting and intervention on trafficking and child abuse
cases.
Strategies/Actions
1. The establishment and operation of core groups/ networks in targeted districts to

conduct advocacy activities to combat child trafficking at district level.
2. Constitute a committee on child trafficking at national level that includes members
from government, public and private sector.
3. Revise national laws and policies with consultation of NGOs, academia, and civil
society.
4. Government to undertake legal and other measures to ensure the implementation of
SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and
Children for Prostitution as enunciated in article X.
5. Sign bilateral and multilateral agreements to prevent child trafficking with source,
transition and destination countries.
6. Promote and strictly implement Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking
Ordinance 2002.
7. Introduce a reporting system on trafficking at national, provincial and district levels.
8. Take input from all stakeholders from all over the country to formulate a national
counter-trafficking mechanism.
9. Local and provincial gangs and other stakeholders involved directly or indirectly in
trafficking need to be identified.
10. Strict enforcement, rigorous imprisonment and fines should be imposed on all
partners to this crime.
11. Record and data about trafficking incidents and traffickers must be maintained at the
district, provincial and national levels.
12. Establish rehabilitation centers in coordination with District Governments, NGOs and
CBOs for the victims of trafficking and ensure their education and welfare.
13. Improve birth registration and other related systems, especially for ID cards and
passports.
14. Regulate the camel race event during annual fair in Cholistan
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15. Training of labor inspectors to keep a continuous check on employers who obtain
children for involvement in worst forms of child labor and take remedial measures to stop
child labor (INGOs/NGOs)
16. Training and sensitization of FIA officials and border forces to trafficking issues and
victims.
17. Check and break trafficking networks.
18. Improve the role and transparency of Zakat and Bait-ul-Mal committees to address the
problems of deserving families.
19. Media (State and Private) can play an effective role in highlighting the dangers of
trafficking and informing the public about the existing laws in this regard.
20. Local and provincial gangs and other stakeholders involved directly or indirectly in
trafficking need to be identified. (NGOs)
21. The government should review the issue of trafficking through marriage and take
effective steps to prevent fake marriages that are used for trafficking, especially internal
trafficking.
22. Local governments can initiate social development projects in the vulnerable district ;
public works programs could be one way of ensuring employment opportunities.
23. Sensitization of the UC members to the issue is a starting point. Once the members are
convinced, they could find ways of effectively curbing trafficking in their area.
24. Local NGOs and CBOs can mobilize opinion against women’s exploitation through the
customs of Walwar or Gul until the government imposes restrictions on the misuse of this
customary practice.
25. Training of local journalists/activists about trafficking issues (INGOs/NGOs).
26. NADRA needs to be more stringent about the issuance on National Identity cards to
check issuance of fake or multiple cards.
Responsibility and Follow up
1. Govt functionaries
2. District Governments
3. FIA, Police, and customs
4. Ministry of Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis
5. Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education
6. National Commission on Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD)
7. ILO-IPEC
8. NGOs
9. FBS
10. Media
Goal C:
Improve the plight of millions of children who live under especially difficult
circumstances
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Objective:
Improve the status of those children who are deprived of their legal and social rights in
the society
Time Frame:
Achieve the target by 2015
Strategies/Actions:
1. Creation of mass awareness through social counseling with families
2. Shelter for disowned, kidnapped and lost children
3. Rehabilitation centers for addicts, refugees and other deprived children
4. Improvement of justice system and promulgation of child friendly laws

1. Government
2. NGOs
3. Community
E. GENERAL PROTECTION
Goal A:
Protect children from all forms of abuses, neglect, exploitation and violence
Objective:
Prevent children from being sexually abused or exploited or harassed by all sectors of
society
Time Frame:
Protection of children is a priority at all times
Strategies/Actions:
1. Creating awareness programs at all levels
2. Development of IEC material
3. Children’s rights workshops for professional groups and NGOs/CBOs
4. Community mobilization
5. Development of referral system for victimized children
6. Support services for victims
Resources:
1. Collaboration of NGOs with Govt.
2. Community involvement and participation
3. Strong infrastructure

1. Ministry of justice & Information
2. Television
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3. Radio
4. APNS
5. CPNE
6. NGOs
7. International donor agencies
8. Social Welfare Deptt
9. Local Govt. bodies.
Outcome:
Children protected from all forms of abuses, neglect and exploitation.
Goal B:
Protect children from all forms of exploitation, including pedophilia, trafficking and
abduction
Objective:
Provision of comprehensive rehabilitation services and reintegration of child victims into
their families and communities
Time Frame:
Children will be protected from all forms of exploitation by the year 2015
Strategies/Actions:
General Awareness of the existing laws regarding protection of the children through
media and advocacy seminars
Resources:
1. Financial, technical and human resources
2. Well-organized institutions
3. Infra structure development

1. Ministry of Law, justice and human rights
2. Home departments
3. Provincial High courts
4. Human rights commission
5. SWD
6. Religious madrassas
7. ISPs
8. Interpol
9. PTCL
Outcome:
Availability of organized services for victimized children and implementation of existing
laws in the best interest of the child
78
National Plan of Action Matrix
A. Promoting Healthy Lives
Goals Objectives Time Current Strategies/ Actions Responsibility Performanc Cost

Frame Situation & follow up e Indicators (in billion Rs.)
actions
Reduction in IMR Decrease of Year IMR 84  Expansion, consolidation and  Health,
and U5MR by at IMR up to 2005 integration of health delivery services population Infant
least 1/3, in pursuit 75/1000 live  Health awareness through health welfare, local Mortality
of the goal of births education government Rate
reducing it by two  Establishment of MCH centers in and other
thirds by 2015 Decrease of Year each region/ area line
IMR up to 2015.  Provision of 100% trained staff departments
30/1000 live  HR Development through training  Community 2 billion/year
births and workshop  NGOs Under5
 Public private partnership Mortality
Decrease of Year 2005 U5MR 125  Availability of Trained birth Rate
U5MR up to attendants
100/1000 live (doctors,nurses,LHV,Trained TBAs)
births  Community Midwifes networking
 100% Immunization of children
Decrease of Year 2015  Control of diarrheal diseases and
U5MR up to ARI
45/1000 live  Supplementation with Vit.A during
births NIDs
Reduction in MMR Decrease of Year MMR—  Expansion of MCH facilities from  Health, Maternal 0.5 billion/year
by at least 1/3, in MMR from 2005- 530/100,000 the existing 879 to 1800 population Mortality
pursuit of the goal of 530/100,000 live births  Provision of quality health services welfare, local Ratio
reducing it by three live births to in rural areas government
quarters by 2015 350/100,000  Spacing of births and other
 Nutrition of expectings mothers may line
Decrease of Year be improved department
MMR to 150 2015.  MCH education  Community
by year 2015  HR Development through training  NGOs
and workshops
 Public private partnership
Reduction of child Prevalence of Year Under5  Health & nutrition education by  Health & Percentage
79

actions
malnutrition among underweight in 2015- underweight inclusion in curricula of schools Education of Low 52 million/year
children under 5 children children 38%  Nutrition rehabilitation centers in department Birth
years age by at least (under 5 years urban and rural areas  NGOs Weight
1/3 with special of age) to19% Infants with  Promoting Breast feeding and participation babies
attention to children low birth weaning  Baitul Mal
under two years of Reduction of Year 2015 weight 21%  Induction of Community midwifes
age, and reduction in percentage of (TBAs)
the rate of low birth Low birth  Strengthen National Nutrition
weight by at least weight babies Community based Programme
1/3 of the current to 14%  Encourage participation of
rate philanthropic organizations at all
levels of health services
 Integration of Family Welfare
Centers, Mobile Service Units, and
VBFPWs with the health sector
outlets
 Control and appropriate
management of childhood illnesses
(IMCI)
 Reduce micronutrient deficiency
(Iodine,Vit.A,Deworming,Iron
supplementation)
 Reduce low birth weight by
improving maternal nutrition
Kcal/day
Reduction in the 95% access to Year Population  Community mobilization/  LG, NGOs % of 100 million/year
proportion of safe drinking 2010- using improved involvement and population till 2010
households without water and 82% 2015. drinking water  Create awareness  City with access
access to hygienic sanitation. sources(total)—  Reservation of water resources governments to safe water
sanitation facilities 90  Solid waste management and
and affordable and Population  sanitation
safe drinking water using adequate
by at least one third sanitation
facilities
(total)---62
Development and Formulation of By 2010-  Ecd  Expansion of services of EPI  Provincial ECD project 6 billion/year for 5
implementation of National ECD 2015 programme  Expansion of LHWs network governments has set the years
80

actions
national early program, s not exist  Introduction of a new tier of lady  Civil society standards
childhood followed by workers to accommodate children of
development implementatio ages3-5 (Ecd workers)
policies and n  Establishment of Play houses
programs to ensure  Capacity building of primary school
the enhancement of teachers
children’s physical,  Introduction of Kachi class
social, emotional,
spiritual and
cognitive
development
Development and To develop a Formulati No particular  Hiring of Technical assistance  Federal National 10 million/year
implementation of comprehensive on by year policy  Establishing a separate desk for Government Health
national health national health 2005 regarding the adolescents in the MoH Ministry of Policy for
policies and policy for Followed adolescents  Inclusion in National Health Policy Health adolescents
programs for adolescents by as a regular event formed and
adolescents, and later on its implemen implemente
including goals and implementatio tation d
indicators to n at national 2006-
promote their level 2015
physical and mental
health
Access through the PHC system Year 2015 PHC facilities  More LHWs be appointed  Health & Percentage 5 billion/year
primary health care approaches are not fully  Strengthening of MCH services Population of
system to all target equipped, also  Community midwifes Department individuals
reproductive health individuals of the staff  RH education  Community of
for all individuals of reproductive especially the  Community/ families involvement & NGOs reproductive
appropriate ages as age group female staff are age group
soon as possible and (15-49 years) deficient attending
no later than 2015 PHC
facilities
HIV/AIDS
Goals Objectives Time Current Strategies/ Actions Responsibility & Performance Cost
Frame Situation follow up actions Indicators
By 2003, establish time Reduce Achieve Adult HIV  Voluntary counseling and  Govt  Prevalence 20 million/year
bound national targets to HIV/ the prevalence testing  NGOs of HIV
achieve the internationally AIDS to target rate (15-49  Interventions to reduce mother  Community infected
81
agreed global prevention goal less than by 2015 years)--- to child transmission organizations cases
to reduce by 2005 HIV 0.11% 0.11%  Surveillance through
prevalence among young  Providing home and HMIS
men and women aged 15-24 community based care data
in the most affected countries  Clinical and professional
by 25 percent and by 25 management  +No. of
percent globally by 2010, and  Awareness through media, IPC blood
to intensify efforts to achieve  Engagement of political, social donors
these targets as well as to and religious leaders screened
challenge gender stereotypes  Augmenting planning, for HIV
and attitudes, and gender infrastructure, and capacity
inequalities in relation to building
HIV/ AIDS, encouraging the  Compulsory AIDS/HIV testing
active involvement of men for all foreigners
and boys
Total estimated cost of the program (annual) 19 billion Rupees
Education
Goals Objectives Time Frame Current Situation Strategies/ Actions Responsibility Performance Cost
Indicators
Expand and Coverage of 50% by Year Early childhood care is  Introduction of Kachi  Provincial Proportion of 500 million/year
improve early 2010 lacking although Katchi class to every Government children of ages 3-
comprehensive childhood class has been included in Government owned  NGOs & 5 years entered to
early childhood care and 80% by Year primary schools primary school community primary
care and education of 2015.  Establishment of play  Donor agencies schools/play
education, for good quality There are no play houses houses houses
girls and boys, to the target for very young  Teachers training and
especially for the group refresher courses
most vulnerable  Community
and participation in
disadvantaged educational activities
children  Awareness by using
print and electronic
media
 Seminars and
workshops
Reduce the Achieve the Year 2005.  Teachers training  Government Increased literacy
number of target of at  Conducive  Community rate particularly for
primary school least 90% environment in schools and parents girls
age children who primary  Community & parents
are out of school school Year 2015 Net Primary School participation in  NGOs
82
Indicators
by 50% and education/ enrollment/attendance education activities 260 million/year
increase net enrolment. 46%  Mass campaigns
primary school and gross  Seminars and
enrolment or enrollment to workshops 62 million/year
participation in rise to 105%  Reduced household
alternative, good costs of education 165 million/year
quality primary  Improve teacher
education motivation and 932 million/year
programs to at attendance
least 90% by  Food incentives (edible 202 million/year
2010. oil) for girls
 Recruitment of 37 million/year
additional teachers 552 million/year
(70% women)
 Separate toilet facilities
with water
 Construction of
additional classrooms
& girls schools
Eliminate gender Achieve For Primary  Net primary school  Increase the number of  Provincial Proportion of girls 800 million/year
disparities in gender education attendance institutions/ girls Government in primary and
primary and balance for (Year 2008) Male 50 schools  NGOs secondary school
secondary primary Female 41  Additional financial  Community system
education by education and For secondary  Secondary school and material resources and private
2005, and Secondary education enrollment ratio for girls schools support
achieve gender education (Year 2015) Male 46  Community
equality in Female 32 mobilization
education by  Public private
2015, with a partnership
focus on ensuring
girls, full and
equal access to
and achievement
in basic education
of good quality
Improve all Improving the Achieve the Poor quality of education.  Training of teachers  Government Proportion of the 50 million/year
aspects of quality quality of target by 2010. Most of the students fail especially in  Community children and young
of education so education in in languages, Mathematics, Science  NGOs people passed out
83
Indicators
that children and all spheres mathematics and science and English in mathematics,
young people especially in subjects  Awards, reward and languages and
achieve languages, incentives vocational subjects
recognized science and  Monitoring every year
measurable mathematics  Uniform curriculum
learning out
comes especially
in numeracy,
literacy and
essential life
skills
Ensure that the Access of all Year 2015  Due to scarce  Set up of new and  Government No. of young 200 million/year
learning needs of young people resources and comprehensive  Community people benefited
all young people towards mismanagement of libraries at tehsil and organizations
are met through learning and available resources, sub tehsil level  Community in
access to life skills most of the young  Use of electronic media general
appropriate people lack access to for academic purposes
learning and life appropriate learning  Elimination of
skills programs and life skills unnecessary programs
programmes from the media
 Establishment of more
vocational centers in
diversified fields
Achieve a 50% Achieve 85% Achievement Adult literacy rate 43%  Motivation and  NGOs Achievement of 1 billion/year
improvement in adult literacy of 85% adult awareness through  Government 85% adult literacy
levels of adult especially for literacy by print and electronic  Donor agencies rate at the end of
literacy by 2015, women 2015. media  Community 2015.0
especially for  Door to door  Yearly data
women messaging collection
 Workshops and
seminars
 Opening part time
literacy centers in
existing institutions
 Free learning material
84
Special Protection
Goals Objectives Time Frame Strategies/ Actions Responsibility & Performance Estimated
follow up actions Indicators Cost
Protect children from the impact of Protection of children Year 2005  Establishment of special  Public and private Proportion of 50
armed conflict and ensure compliance from armed conflict rehabilitation centers for sector children million/year
with international humanitarian law and orphans and special organizations protected
human rights children of the armed with the from armed
conflict collaboration of conflict
 Provision of proper health NGOs and
care and formal society
vocational education  PBM
 Rehabilitation  Donor agencies
 Social Welfare
and Women
Development
Department
Take immediate and effective measures  Elimination of all Elimination of  Mass awareness  Govt. NO. of 500
to eliminate the worst forms of child forms of child labour worst forms by campaigns functionaries children million/year
labor as defined in ILO Convention 2005  Options and alternatives  ILO-IPEC taken out
No.182 and elaborate and implement for children, parents and  NGOs from industry
strategies for the elimination of child Elimination of employers  Chamber of and other
labour that is contrary to accepted all other forms  2 hours relief from commerce businesses
international standards except working place to seek
domestic labor formal education
by 2010  Active participation by
NGOs, community and
Domestic children
labor by2015  Incentive for Employer
 Establishment of social
securities authority or
program
 Provision of recreational
facilities to children
 Survey data collection of
labor children
 Identification of mega
Projects
 Poverty eradication
projects
 Enhanced wage rates
85
Goals Objectives Time Frame Strategies/ Actions Responsibility & Performance Estimated
follow up actions Indicators Cost
Improve the plight of millions of children Improve the status of Achieve the  Creation of mass  Government No. of 800
who live under especially difficult those children who are target by 2015 awareness through social  NGOs children million/year
circumstances deprived of their legal counseling with families  Community given relief
and social rights in the  Shelter for disowned, by the Govt.
society kidnapped and lost NGOs and
children other social
 Rehabilitation centers for welfare
addicts, refugees and organizations
other deprived children
 Improvement of justice
system and promulgation
of child friendly laws
General Protection
Goals Objectives Time Strategies/Actions Resources Responsibility & follow Cost
up Actions
Protect children from all  Prevent Protection  Creating  Collaboration of  Govt. of Pakistan 100
forms of children of children awareness NGOs with Govt.  Television million/year
abuses,neglect,exploitation from is a priority programs at all  Community  Radio
and violence being at all times levels involvement and  APNS
sexually  Development of participation  CPNE
abused or IEC material  Strong  NGOs
exploited  Children’s rights infrastructure  International donor
or workshops for agencies
harassed professional  Social Welfare Deptt
by all groups and  Local Govt. bodies.
sectors of NGOs/CBOs
society  Community
mobilization
 Support services
for victims
 Development of
referral system
for victims
Protect children from all Provision of Children  General  Financial,  Ministry of Law, justice 500
forms of exploitation, comprehensive will be Awareness of the technical and and human rights million/year
including pedophilia, rehabilitation protected existing laws human resources  Home departments
trafficking and abduction services from all regarding  Well-organized  Provincial high courts
86
and forms of protection of the institutions  Human rights

reintegration exploitation children through  Infra structure commission
of child by the year media and development  SWD
victims into 2015 advocacy  Religious madrassas
their families seminars  ISPs
and  Interpol
communities  Telecommunication
department
Commercial and Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC): Program 1: Prevention

Strategic Activities Expected Outcomes Indicators of Achievements Responsible Agency and Time
Partner Organizations Frame
1. Multimedia awareness  Increased level of awareness on  Active media coverage of CSA/CSE issues. MoIMD, PIDs, PCCWDs,
raising for general public. CSA/CSE amongst general District Govts,PTV, PBC,
public.  A strong and highly visible social mobilization Private Radio/TV Networks,
campaign implemented at national, provincial APNS, CPNE, Distt. Govts.,
 More conductive social and and local levels. Boy Scouts & Girls Guide
policy environment. Association, Journalists
 Number of media practitioners trained on CRC Associations and NGOs.
and CSA/E.
2. Development of IEC  Culturally appropriate IEC material developed NCCWD, PPA, Rozan, Sahil,
material on CSA/CSE. and produced. Sach, Vision, Azad Foundation,
--do— WAR, LHRLA, UNICEF and
 Number and type of IEC materials SCA.
disseminated.
3. Observance of Universal  Enhanced public awareness and  Universal Children Day observed at National, NCCWD, PTV, PBC, APNS,
Children’s Day understanding of children Provincial District and local levels. CPNE, PPA, Rozan, Sahil,
Rights and issues surrounding Sudhar, Bedari, Sach, Vision and
CSA/CSE.  Issues surrounding CSA/E highlighted at other NGOs. UNICEF & SCA.
Universal Children Day deliberations.
 More conductive Social and
policy environment.
4. Awareness raising through  Numbers and type of activities/events MoST, PNCA, Provincial Arts
traditional and performing organized at all levels. Councils, Bedari, Ajoka Theater,
arts. --do-- LHRLA, Amateur Artist Group
and other NGOs.
87
5. Children Rights workshops  Enhanced knowledge and  Number of workshops, seminars, orientation NCCWD, PCCWDs. PEDs,
and seminars for understanding of Children meetings and briefings held and type of target PPA, NCCR, Aurat Foundation,
Professional Groups and Rights and issues surrounding audience. Sach, Sahil, Rozan and other
NGOs/CBOs. CSA/E. NGOs, UNICEF, SCA, Action
 Number of participants in the above mentioned Aid.
 Enhanced Social mobilization events.
for protection of children rights
and prevention of CSA/E.
6. Ensure access to education  Children educated and informed  Enhanced school enrolment MoE. PEDs, Pvt. School
for all children (including  Children protected from high  Decrease in school drop outs System, Madrassa System,
disabled) risk situations NCHD, Pakistan Baitul Mal,
NGOs & Local Charities.
7. Integration of Children  Inclusion of child rights and  Teaching modules on CRC and personal health MoE(Curriculum Wing),
Rights and personal health personal health and protection and protection developed. PEDs, Teachers Training
and protection education in (sex education) Schools, Private Schools and
the curricula. into the curricula of schools  Modules incorporated in the curricula. Institutions, Madrassa System,
and teachers training programmes. NGOs active in Child Rights &
 Teachers trained on the new modules. Education, UNICEF, UNESCO,
 Enhanced knowledge and UNFPA, UNAIDS, MoPW,
understanding of children rights  Schools started imparting children rights and MoH.
and CSA/E issues. personal health and protection education to
children.
 Increased awareness and
participation of teachers on
prevention of CSA.
 Protective behavior developed

in school children.
88
8. Awareness raising and  Enhanced awareness and  Appropriate information material developed and NCCWD, PCCWD.
sensitization of high- understanding of CSA/E issues. produced. Secretariat of Senate, NA and
ranking officials and PA, Standing Committees of
members of the parliament  Enhanced Political  Number and type of information material Parliament on Human Rights,
and provincial assemblies. commitment. disseminated and type of target audience. Working Group Against
CSA/E, UNICEF, ILO, SCA.
 More conductive social and  Press statements by decision makers.
policy environment.
9. Sensitization of police and  Enhanced understanding of  Teaching modules on CRC and personal health MoI, MoLJHR, PHDs, Police
court officials. children rights and CSA/E and protection developed. Deptt. NCCWD, PCCWDs,
issues. PCLC, LHRLA, Sahil, Rozan,
 Modules incorporated in the curricula. SCA.
 A child friendly police and
judicial system.  Teachers trained on the new modules.
 Schools starting imparting children rights and

personal health and protection education to
children.
10. Awareness raising at the  Enhanced awareness of  Number of seminars workshops and special MoL, PLDs, PSWDs, PBM,
workplace. employers and child workers on events held by type of target audience. Employers Association, Trade
CSA. Unions, ILO, NGOs like
 Number of employers and children attending the Sudhar, Buniad, PILER, PPA
 A more protected environment above mentioned events. and other IPEC Partners.
for children at the workplace.
11. Community mobilization to  Increased participation of  Strategy for community vigilance system Mo LGRD, PDs LGRD,
develop local vigilance and communities in child protection developed. District and local
protection system. issues. Governments, NGOs/CBOs.
 Number of community vigilance structures Religious Institutions, PEDs.
 Empowered communities to established.
protect their children from
CSA/E.  Number of active/functional community vigilance
structure.
12.Establishment of School  Vigilance structure in place at  Number of Protection Committees established Provincial Education Deptts,
Protection Committees schools  Reported actions and interventions by School MoE, Private school system
through PTAs  School children protected from Protection Committees
abuse
89
Commercial and Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC): Program 2: Protection

1. Review of the existing  Appropriate legislative  Legislative enhancement criminalizing all NCCWD,MoLJHR, Pakistan
legislation and development measures reviewed, amended forms of sexual abuse and exploitation of Law Commission, Ministry of
of new laws relating to and passed. children through prostitution, trafficking and Interior, PLDs, National
child protection. pornography. Commission on status of
 A responsive child protection Women, Provincial Home
system, based on CRC and  No gender bias in laws. Deptt., HRCP, LHRLA and
other international measures other NGOs.
in place.  Legal age of protection against CSA/E is 18 for
both boys and girls.
2. Ensure effective  More responsive child  The existing procedures and mechanisms MoI and Provincial Home Depts.
implementation of the protection structures in place reviewed and modified.
juvenile system. to ensure expedient action on
child protection interventions.  Number of orientations and trainings held and
type of target audience.
 Successful investigations and
increased convictions of  Police procedures in place to monitor
abusers. conceived offenders.
3. Training of law  Law enforcement personnel  Number and type of training events organized Mol, NCCWD, PCCWDs, PHDs, Time
enforcement educated on new system. and type of target audience. Police Trining Schools, Judicial Frame
personnel on  Law enforcement personnel  Free legal aid services provided to sexually Academy, Bar Associations.
improved sensitized on the best interests abused/exploited children.
implementation of the child.
mechanisms.  A child friendly and culturally
appropriate prosecution system
in use.
4. Publicity of laws and  Enhanced public awareness of  Project for publicity of laws developed. MolMD, PTV, PBC, UNICEF, SCA,
mechanisms against laws on CSA/E.  Project for publicity of laws implemented. APNS, CPNE, Journalists
CSA/CSE.  A more protective societal Associations, Local Govt. Bodies,
environment for children. NGOs/CBOs.
90
5. Take specific  A better understanding of the  Study on child pornography designed and Ministry of Interior, PHDs,
measures against magnitude and types of child implemented. Pakistan Telecommunication Ltd.
child pornography. pornography in Pakistan and the  Findings and recommendations of the study (PTA), Police and Federal
emergence of future trends. disseminated to policy makers and general Investigation Agency, Provincial
public. Information Deptt.
 Actions taken at state level regarding child
pornography.
6. Protect computer  Computer/Internet made safer  A code of conduct developed and followed by PTCL, Pakistan Telecommunication Time
literate children and pornography free for ISPs and Internet cafes. Ltd. Mol, ISPs, UNICEF, SCA, Frame
from pornography children.  Increased use of filtering software. ECPAT, Interpol, NGOs, working
on the web.  Net smart rules widely publicized. groups against CSA/E, Citizen
Community Boards.
7. Monitoring of  Increased information shared  Regional and international arrangements made MoFA, Mol, LHRLA, Caritas, PPA
regional trafficking between countries to close down for monitoring trafficking and safe return of and other NGOs, IOM, UNICEF,
mafias and trafficking routes. trafficked children. ILO, UN Center for Human Rights,
networks.  Reduction in the incidence of  Treaties in place for extradition of traffickers Interpol,
child trafficking. and sex offenders. Travel Agent Associations.
ECPAT International and Save the
Children Alliance.
91
Commercial and Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC): Program 3: Recovery and Reintegration
1. Develop a national Core  A Core Group of master  Training imparted to national Core Group of NCCWD, Working Group
Group of master trainers on trainers developed. experts. Against CSA/E, PMA, PPS,
psychosocial recovery and MoH, PHDs, Sahil, Rozan, PPA,
rehabilitation of victims of  Structure in place for capacity  Mechanisms in place to utilize the expertise of UNICEF, UNFPA, UNAIDS,
CSA/CSE. building in the areas of the Core Group for capacity building. SCA, Action Aid, PCCWDs.
psychosocial recovery nd
rehabilitation.
2. Develop training packages  Packages/tools for capacity  Training needs assessment done. Working Group Against CSA/E,
for health care providers, building of health care PPA, PMA, PPS,PHDs, Rozan,
providers in place.  Training packages developed and printed. Sahil, UNICEF, SCA. Pakistan
Psychological Association
3. Train multi-disciplinary  Capacity of service providers in  Number and type of health care provider NCCWD, PHDs, PSWDs,
Service Providers. the areas of psychosocial trained. Working Groups Against
recovery and rehabilitation CSA/E.
built.  Number of health care outlets providing
psychosocial intervention and support services.
 Early recovery and
rehabilitation of child victims  Number of children/families provided services.
into their families and
communities.
 Accessibility of a variety of
child friendly services to
victims and families of CSA/E.
4. Establish child protaction  Services of victims and their  Number of CSA committees established. MoH, PHDs, All Teaching
committees in all major families institutionalized.  Number of CSA committees active in Hospitals, All Tertiary and
hospitals.  Effective case management providing services. secondary care hospitals, PPA,
ensured through multi- PPS.
disciplinary approach.
5. Support services for  Victims/survivors of CSE  Pilot project developed and implemented in NCCWD, Sahil, Rozan, PPA,
victims/survivors of CSE. offered therapeutic and other Rawalpindi-Islamabad area. Sach, Bedari, LHRLA and other
rehabilitative services.  Lessons learned from Pilot Project. NGOs, SCA, PSWDs, Punjab
 Model amended and replicated in other parts of Child Welfare and Protaction
the country. Bureau.
92
6. Development of referral  The recovery and rehabilitation  A referral system developed. MoH, PHDs, NGOs/CBOs,
system for victims of of victims of CSA/E facilitated  Referral system implemented. Local Govt. Bodies, PMA, CFM
CSA/CSEC. and expedited.  Number of children refereed to higher level of etc and other bodies of private
care. practitioners.
7. Publicize the available  Enhanced access to services for  Information about the service facilities NCCWD, PCCWDs, PIDs,
services. victims and families of CSA/E. developed. PMA, CFM, PPA and other
 Information about the services disseminated. bodies of health care providers,
Local Govt Bodies,
NGOs/CBOs.
8. Develop and implement a   MSWSE, PSWDs, MWD, SOS
code of conduct for Villages, Edhi Homes,
shelters. APWA(NWFP), Anjuman
Faizul Islam and other NGOs.
Religious Madrassahs.
9. NFE and Skills Training for   Vision, PCPB, UNICEF, SCA,
survivors of CSEC. PBM
10. Develop peer support   Vision, PCPB, UNICEF, SCA,
groups to encourage PBM
children’s participation in
their recovery and re-
integration.
11. Establish a National   NCCWD, Working Group
Documentation Center on Against CSA/E. UNICEF, SCA,
Child Sexual Abuse and PCCWDs.
expoitation.
93
Commercial and Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC): Program 4: Participation

1. Consult children on their  Children consulted on their  Consultations with concerned groups of NCCWD, Working Group
needs and priorities when needs and priorities children held against CSA/E, MoE, PEDs,
developing and  Children involved in NPA  Children’s opinions accommodated in Other concerned Govt. Agencies
implementing activities and implementation Programs design and implementation and Civil society organizations,
programmes include in this UNICEF.
NPA.
2. Provide support, information  NGO’s facilitated to encourage  NGOs trained on methods of children’s NCCWD, UNICEF, SCA,
and training to NGOs and children’s participation in participation Working Group Against CSA/E.
other partners to enable NPA’s implementation  Programs with children’s participation by
them to support children’s NGOs in place
active participation in
implementing and
monitoring NPA.
3. Increase awareness of  Children made aware of their  Awareness programs on children’s NCCWD, MoE, PEDs, MoL,
children (including working right to participate in Programs participation in place PLDs, MSE, Private Schools
children & children with affecting their lives, at all levels Systems, Ministry of Religious
disabilities) on their right to affairs and PADs, UNICEF,
structures IPEC/ILO.
4. Develop guidelines and  Age appropriate child  Training modules on children’s participation SCA,NCCWD, UNICEF,
training modules that build participation encouraged developed Working Group, Ministry of
children’s capacity to  Training programs implemented Education
participate, implement and
monitor programmatic
activities.
5. Raise awareness of key duty  Duty bearers motivated to  Awareness programs on child participation for NCCWD,Ministry of Education
bearers regarding children’s ensure children’s participation duty bearers designed and Provincial Education
right to participate through  Awareness programs for duty bearers Departments, Ministry of Social
parenting programs, implemented Welfare and Provincial social
teachers training and media Welfare Departments,
orientation. Ministry of Information and
Provincial Information
Departments, PTV, PBC and
APNS
.
94
6. Monitor the effectiveness of  Effective participation of  Monitoring programs on child participation in SCA, UNICEF
children’s participation in children in NPA’s place Save the Children Alliance,
implementation of NPA implementation ensured concerned NGOs/CBOs
95
Commercial and Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC): Program 5: Monitoring and Coordination
Strategic Activities Expected Outcomes Indicators of Achievements Responsible Agency and Partner Time
Organizations Frame
1. Strengthen the institutional  NCCWD strengthened to  Enhanced human resources at NCCWD Ministry of social Welfare and
capacity of the National effectively implement NPA  Enhanced budgetary allocation for Special Education, UNICEF, SCA
Commission for Child NCCWD and other donors.
Welfare and Development.
2. Establish a National  Implementation of NPA  National Steering Committee (NSC} NCCWD, Working Group against
Steering Committee to facilitated constituted and notified CSA/E, UNICEF,
guide the implementation  NSC held periodic meetings Save the Children Alliance,
of NPA  NSC took practical steps for NPA’s Line Ministries,
implementation Children’s representatives
3. Establish NPA Monitoring  Effective implementation of  Monitoring cells established at Federal, NCCWD, Provincial Social
and Coordination Cells at NPA through better monitoring provincial and district levels Welfare Departments, Provincial
NCCWD, PCCWDs and at  Monitoring cells functional and generated PCCWDs,
District governments periodic reports District governments
4. Develop quantitative  Effective tracking and  Quantitative indicators developed NCCWD, Working Group against
indicators to measure measurement of NPA’s  Quantitative indicators used for CSA/E ,
progress of NPA implementation monitoring NPA’s implementation. UNICEF,
implementation Save the Children Alliance
Concerned Government agencies,
Children and NGOs.
5. Conduct studies on the  Quality of implementation  Studies on programs implementation NCCWD, PCCWDs, UNICEF,
impact of various program assessed. designed and conducted. Save the Children Alliance
interventions Lessons learned and best practices  Study reports published Working Group against CSA/E
documented
96
NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION FOR CHILDREN

Year 2004-05
Education
Goal Compulsory universal primary education
Targets: 2004-05 85%
Strategies 1. Opening of new primary schools
2. Opening of Masjid Maktab schools
3. Establishment of non-formal schools
4. Introduction of double shift in existing schools
5. Mass awareness and advocacy
Activating action Responsibility
Existing Proposed
1. New girls schools/ additional Provincial education department/
class rooms/ separate toilets district education office/ Building
facilities department
2 Recruitment of teachers Provincial education department/
especially the females district education office
3. Introduction of katchi class to NCHD and EFA wing may coordinate
every government primary for inclusion of Katchi class/ Ministry
school of education
4. Increase in non formal Ministry of education/ provincial
education centers education department/ Social welfare
department (Tawana Pakistan)
5. Free text books to the students Ministry of education
6. Food incentives for girls Ministry of education
7. Incentive to family for female Ministry of education
education
8 Community and parents District education department/ district
97
participation in education government/ CBOs/ NGOs/

activities through workshops Community
and seminars at gross root level
9. Mass awareness campaign / Ministry of education/ Provincial
workshops/ seminars education department/ District
education officer
10. Awards, rewards and incentives Ministry of education/ Provincial
schemes for teachers and education department
institutions
11. Incentive schemes for parents Ministry of education
in district with low literacy rate
12. Revamping of Masjid Maktab District education office
schools
13. Incentive schemes for private Provincial education department/ District education office
schools e.g. free textbooks,
cash awards for best performing
schools etc.
14. Use of Takhti scheme to Ministry of education
improve the writing skills and
to lessen the burden of multiple
notebooks on the students
Estimated Cost Rs. 2,210 million
Linkage with existing programs* Presently following programmes are being implemented under the Ministry of Education Islamabad:
1. Girls Primary Education Development Project
2. Incentive scheme for primary and middle school students and teachers
3. Promotion of children’s literature by National Book Foundation
4. Establishment of 82000 Non Formal Basic Education Community Schools
5. Education for All
6. Early childhood education
7. Provision of free text books to the students of FG Primary School at ICT
98
8. Establishment of Community Primary Schools in FATA, FANA, AJK, ICT (ESR) (NEF)
9. Establishment of 350 community schools in hard to reach FATA with assistance from NORAD
10. National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) (Phase III)
Existing Budget Currently the total federal education budge t is: Rs. 7.584.715 million. Out of total budget, Rs.
614.955 million has already been allocated in the above mentioned programs
Health
Goal Improved maternal health (emphasis on appropriate size of family)
Target: 2004-05 Decrease of MMR from 530/100,000 live births to 350/100,000 live births
Strategies: 1. Delivery by the trained staff
2. Spacing of births
3. Provision of quality health services in rural areas
4. Immunization of pregnant mothers
5. Nutrition of expecting mothers may be improved
6. Health awareness campaign
7. Maintaining referral linkages
Existing Proposed
1. Expansion of MCH facilities MoH/ Provincial health department/
District health office/ District
Government
2. IT Immunization of females MoH/ Provincial Health Department/
District health office
3. Delivery by the trained staff NCHD Ministry of Health
initiating Community Midwife
Program (CMP)
4. TBA training for ANC & PNC Ministry of health/ Provincial health PHDC/DHDC
department
5. Increase in TTBAs & LHWs Ministry of health/ Provincial health
department
99
6. Provision of safe delivery kits Ministry of health/ Provincial health

for home deliveries department
7. Social marketing for use of safe Technical Assistance through Ministry of Health
delivery kits during pregnancies
8. Health education for nutrition, Ministry of health/ FPAP/ Population
tetanus, vaccination, child Welfare Department/ Provincial health
spacing and FP department/ District health office/
NGOs/ CBOs
9. Public private partnership MoH/District Health Office/ Health
foundation
10. Strengthening of referral system Provincial health department/ District
health office
11. Community participation District government/ District health
through CBOs/NGOs office/ NGOs/ CBOs/ Community
Estimated Cost Rs. 1.0 billion
Linkage with existing Presently following programs are being implemented under the Ministry of Health, Islamabad:
programs* 1. Safe Motherhood Program
2. LHW Program
3. High risk area approach for Neonatal Tetanus through NIH Islamabad
4. Reproductive Health Project Pakistan
5. National Program of Community Midwives, Islamabad
6. Peri-natal morbidity and mortality, Islamabad
7. Women Health Project (ADB)
8. Population Welfare Program
Existing budget* Total budget for health is: Rs. 4,372.525 million
Rs. 787.007 million (health budget for the above mentioned programs)
Rs. 2.2 billion (population welfare program)
Priority Immunization
Target: 2004-05 90%
100
Strategies 1. Improve service delivery

2. Improve logistic management
3. Enhance monitoring and supervision mechanism
4. Vaccinate all high risk groups against hepatitis B
5. Social mobilization/ Community involvement
6. Identifying missed population and ensure their immunization
7. Expansion of Hepatitis-B vaccination program
Existing Proposed
1. Improve service delivery/ Ministry of Health/ Provincial health Through Technical Assistance
logistic management department/ district health office/
district government
2. Improve quality and vaccine Ministry of Health/ Provincial health
supply department/ district health office/
donors
3. Expansion of Hepatitis-B
vaccination program
4. Human resource mobilization MoH/ Provincial health office
5. Availability and timeline of District health office DHDC/PHDC/ district health office
financial resources
6. Technical assistance for Federal EPI cell
development of monitoring and
supervision mechanism
7. Social mobilization/ community Ministry of Health/ Provincial health
involvement department/ district health office/
NGOs/ CBOs and community
8. Identifying missed population District government/ CBOs/
Community
9. Web based database Ministry of health/ Provincial health
department
101
10. Evaluation and research Donors Ministry of health/ Provincial health department
11. Increase clinic hours for Provincial health department/ district
expansion of immunization health office
Estimated cost Rs. 900 million

Linkage with existing 1. EPI (CDD), NIH
programs* 2. Strengthening of EPI Services through Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization (GAVI)
Grants
3. Hepatitis B&C, NIH
Existing Budget* Rs. 456 million
Child Information System

Goal Development of district based child information system
Targets: 2004-05 Piloting in four district (one district from each province) and ICT
Strategies 1. System Development:
2. Linkages with the existing management information system (e.g. health and education)
3. Training
4. Advocacy and Orientation
5. Research and Development
Existing Proposed
1. Technical Assistance for development of Ministry of Health
district based child information system
2. Software development with linkages of Ministry of Health
existing health management information
system (HMIS)/ education management
information system (EMIS)/ expanded
programme on immunization –
management system (EPI-MS)/district
census report (DCR) and data output
102
required for CRC/ National Plan of Action

(NPA)
3. Training of Trainers workshops at federal, MoH/Provincial health & education department/ PHDC/
provincial and district level DHDC
4. Provision of equipment and supplies/ MoH/ Provincial health department and donors
strengthening of existing systems
5. Advocacy and orientation Ministry of health/ Provincial health department
Estimated cost Rs. 20 million
Linkage with existing 1. HMIS
programs* 2. EMIS
3. EPI-MS
4. District Census Report
Nil
Juvenile Justice
Priority Juvenile justice and promulgation of child friendly laws
Target: 2004-05 Full implementation of JJSO in 2005
Strategies 1. Implementation of Juvenile Justice System Ordinance (JJSO) 2000 at all levels with full spirit
2. Creation of mass awareness through social counseling with family
3. Promulgation of child friendly laws
4. Extension of JJSO to FANA and FATA
5. Translation of juvenile laws in local languages and widespread dissemination
Existing Proposed
1. Implementation of JJSO 2000 Ministry of Law, Justice and
Human Rights/ Home
department
2. Reforms in justice system/ child friendly Ministry of Law, Justice and
laws Human Rights
3. Widespread dissemination of JJSO 2000 Ministry of Social Welfare and
103
(workshops, seminars, etc.) Women Development

(NCCWD)/ Ministry of Law/
Home department (Police and
Jails)/ NGOs
4. Increase in borstal institution Home department/ Social
Welfare Department
(PCCWD)
5. Timely processing of the cases Ministry of Law/ Home
Department (Police and Jails)
6. Lay down guidelines for JJSO 2000 Ministry of Law
7. Liberal use of alternative sentencing Ministry of Law/ Home
measures Department (Police and Jails)
8. Extension of JJSO to FANA and FATA Ministry of Law/ Social
Welfare Department
(PCCWD)
9. Separate Lock ups and transportation for Home Department (Police and
children Jails)
10. Translation of juvenile laws in local Ministry of Law/ Social
languages and widespread dissemination welfare department/ district
governments/ NGOs
Estimated Cost Rs. 100 million
Linkage with existing There is no separate programme for the juvenile in the Ministry of Law and Justice
programs
Existing Budge* Rs. 17.1 million
* Details of Demands for Grants and Appropriations 2003-04, Development Expenditure Vol –II Government of Pakistan, Finance Division,
Islamabad.
104
Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms
A. Quarterly Progress Report

All the departments dealing with the children will prepare quarterly monitoring reports
and submit them to the MoWD,SE and Social Services within one month of the end of
each quarter . The reports will include (i) progress made, including aspects of quality; (ii)
delays and problems encountered, and actions taken to resolve the issues; (iii) proposed
program of activities and inputs required during the next three months; and (iv) . Each
district and institution will report progress to the provincial Social Welfare department
Sets of input, process, output and outcome indicators will be developed and agreed upon
through consultation of all stake holders.
B. Annual Review
Every year periodic review of activities envisaged in NPA will be monitored against key
result areas, identify bottlenecks in implementation to be addressed and propose
adjustments in the Plan and implementation to the government.
C. Completion Report
At the end of year 2015, Ministry of Women Development will commission an assessment
for the overall performance during the stipulated time. The report will include the costs
and compliance with the plan objectives and recommendations for further expansion of
the project.
D. Information System
The activities review will be supplemented by the collection of data on regular basis. A
comprehensive and action oriented MIS shall be developed with linkages with the
National Health Management Information System (HMIS) and EMIS. The system will be
responsive to service delivery, supervision, monitoring and evaluation needs of the
program. The information generated through the MIS will also feed into policy level
decision-making. Reports will be generated at the following levels:
 District Level
 Provincial Level
 National Level
The reports shall include data on service delivery and management issues. The
information generated using agreed software, may be shared with stakeholders at the
federal, provincial and District Governments. The report would be prepared on standard
format for the sake of uniformity.
E. Third Party Evaluation of the Program every five years
105
Third party evaluation is an independent source of monitoring and evaluating the

implementation of the program. It may be conducted after every five years.
F. Pakistan Integrated Household Surveys (PIHS) is the only national level survey
that provides data on a wide range of socio-economic indicators in the country. Therefore
NPA Implementation and outcomes analysis may rely on the data collected by Federal
Bureau of Statistics (FBS) through PIHS. PIHS, is however, not designed for analysis at
the district level, and this shortcoming will be addressed by providing technical
assistance to FBS or third party. FBS is already planning to enhance the scope of PIHS,
which will provide district level estimates in the near future. Additionally, other sources
of data will be identified and their capacity for meeting data requirements strengthened,
so that intermediates and Output indicators (success drivers) can also be monitored and
tracked.
106
ANNEXURE I
National Child Policy

The Government intends to remove the structural causes related to all issues affecting
children’s rights in the wider societal context and to awaken the conscience of the
community to protect children from violation of their rights, while strengthening the
family, society and the Nation.
Right to Survival
1. (a) Every child has a right to survival. The State and community will
undertake all possible measures to ensure that the child’s right to survival
is protected and realized.
(b) In particular, the State and community will undertake all appropriate
measures to address the problems of infanticide and foeticide, especially
of female child and all other emerging manifestations which deprive the
girl child of her right to survival.
Right to Health
2. (a). The State shall take measures to ensure that all children enjoy the highest
attainable standard of health, and provide for preventive and curative
facilities at all levels especially immunization and prevention of
micronutrient deficiencies for all children.
(b). The State shall take measures to cover, under primary health facilities and
specialized care and treatment, all children of families below the poverty
line.
(c) The State shall take measures to provide adequate pre-natal and post-natal
care for mothers along with immunization against preventable diseases.
(d) The State shall undertake measures to provide for a national plan that will
ensure that the mental health of all children is protected.
(e). The State shall take steps to ensure protection of children from all
practices that are likely to harm the child’s physical and mental health.
Right to Nutrition
3. The State shall take steps to provide all children from families below the poverty
line with adequate supplementary nutrition and undertake adequate measures for ensuring
environmental sanitation and hygiene.
107
Right to a standard of living
4. (a). The State recognizes every child’s right to a standard of living that fosters
full development of the child’s faculties.
(b) In order to ensure this, the State shall in partnership with community
prepare a social security policy for children, especially for abandoned
children and street children.
(c). State and community shall try and remove the fundamental causes which
result in abandoned children and children living on streets, and provide
infrastructural and material support by way of shelter, education, nutrition
and recreation.
Right to play and leisure
5. The State and community should recognize the right of all children to play and
leisure and ensure means to provide for recreational facilities and services for children of
all ages and social groups.
Right to early childhood care
6. (a) The State shall in partnership with community provide early childhood
care for all children and encourage programmes which will stimulate and
develop their physical and cognitive capacities.
(b). The State shall in partnership with community aim at providing a child
care centre in every village where infants and children of working mothers
can be adequately cared for.
(c). The State will make special efforts to provide these facilities to children
from SCs/STs and marginalized sections of society.
Right to Education
7. (a) Education at the elementary education shall be provided free of cost and
special incentives should be provided to ensure that children from
disadvantaged social groups are enrolled retained and participate in
schooling.
(b). At the secondary level, the State shall provide access to education for all
and provide supportive facilities from the disadvantaged groups.
(c). The State shall in partnership with community ensure that all the
educational institutions function efficiently and are able to reach universal
enrolment, universal retention, universal participation and universal
achievement.
(d). The State and community recognizes the right of all children to education
in their mother tongue.
108
(e). The State shall ensure that education is child-oriented and meaningful. It
shall also take appropriate measures to ensure that the education is
sensitive to the rights of the girl child and to children of various cultural
backgrounds.
(f). The State shall ensure that school discipline and matters related thereto do
not result in physical, mental, psychological harm or trauma to the child.
(g). The State shall formulate special programmes to spot, identify, encourage
and assist the gifted children for their development in the field of their
excellence.
(h). The state shall ensure comprehensive religious teachings to each child to
make him the responsible citizen of the country with good moral values
and character building.
Right to be protected from economic exploitation
8. (a). The State shall provide protection to children from economic exploitation
and from performing tasks that are hazardous to their well-being.
(b). The State shall ensure that there is appropriate regulation of conditions of
work in occupations and processes where children perform work of a non-
hazardous nature and that the rights of the child are protected.
(c). The State shall move towards a total ban of all forms of child labor.
Right to Protection
9. (a). All children have a right to be protected against neglect, maltreatment,

injury, trafficking, sexual and physical abuse of all kinds, corporal
punishment, torture, exploitation, violence and degrading treatment.
(b). The State shall take legal action against those committing such violations
against children even if they be legal guardians of such children.
(c). The State shall in partnership with community set up mechanisms for
identification, reporting, referral, investigation and follow-up of such acts,
while respecting the dignity and privacy of the child.
10. (b) The State shall take strict measures to ensure that children are not used in
the conduct of any illegal activity, namely, trafficking of narcotic drugs
and psychotropic substances, begging, prostitution, pornography or armed
conflicts. The State in partnership with community shall ensure that such
children are rescued and immediately placed under appropriate care and
protection.
(b). The State and community shall ensure protection of children in distress for
their welfare and all-round development.
109
(c). The State and community shall ensure protection of children during the
occurrence of natural calamities in their best interest.
Right to Protection of the girl child
11. (a). The State and community shall ensure that offences committed against the
girl child, including child marriage, forcing girls into prostitution and
trafficking are speedily abolished.
(b). The State shall in partnership with community undertake measures,

including social, educational and legal, to ensure that there is greater
respect for the girl child in the family and society.
(c). The State shall take serious measures to ensure that the practice of child
marriage is speedily abolished.
Right of Adolescents to education and skill development
12. The State and community shall take all steps to provide the necessary education
and skills to adolescent children so as to equip them to become economically productive
citizens, special programmes will be undertaken to improve the health and nutritional
status of the adolescent girl.
Right to Equality
13. The State and community shall ensure that all children are treated equally without
discrimination on grounds of the child’s or the child’s parents' or legal guardian’s race,
color, caste, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social
origin, disability, birth, political status, or any other consideration.
Right to Life and Liberty, Name and Nationality
14. Every child has a right to life, liberty, a name and to acquire a nationality.
Right to Freedom of Expression
15 All children shall be given every opportunity for all round development of their
personality, including creativity of expression.
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Right to Freedom to seek and receive information
16 (a). Every child shall have the freedom to seek and receive information and
ideas. The State and community shall provide opportunities for the child to
access information that will contribute to the child’s development.
(b). The State and community shall undertake special measures to ensure that
the linguistic needs of children are taken care of and encourage the
production and dissemination of child-friendly information and material in
various forms.
(c). The State and community shall be responsible for formulating guidelines
for the mass media in order to ensure that children are protected from
material injurious to their well-being.
Right to Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly
17. All children enjoy freedom of association and peaceful assembly, subject to
reasonable restrictions and in conformity with social and family values.
Right to a family
18 (a). In case of separation of children from their families, the State shall ensure
that priority is given to re-unifying the child with the parents. In cases
where the State perceives adverse impact of such a re-unification, the State
shall make alternate arrangements immediately, keeping in mind the best
interests and the views of the child.
(b). All children have a right to maintain contact with their families, even
when they are within the custody of the State for various reasons.
(c). The State shall undertake measures to ensure that children without
families are either placed for adoption, preferably intra-country adoption,
or foster care or any other family substitute services.
(d). The State shall ensure that appropriate rules with respect to the
implementation of such services are drafted in a manner that are in the
best interest of the child and that regulatory bodies are set up to ensure the
strict enforcement of these rules.
(e). All children shall have the right to meet their parents and other family
members who may be in custody.
Responsibilities of the Parents
19. The State recognizes the common responsibilities of both parents in rearing the
children.
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Rights of Refugee children
20. The State shall ensure that all refugee children, with or without parents, receive
due care and protection.
Rights of Children with disabilities
21. (a). The State and community recognize that all children with disabilities have
a right to lead a full life with dignity and respect. All measures would be
undertaken to ensure that children with disabilities are encouraged to be
integrated into the mainstream society and actively participate in all walks
of life.
(b). State and community shall also provide for their education, training, health
care, rehabilitation, recreation in a manner that will contribute to their
overall growth and development.
(c). State and community shall launch preventive programmes against

disabilities and early detection of disabilities so as to ensure that the
families with disabled children receive adequate support and assistance in
bringing up their children.
(d). The State shall encourage research and development in the field of
prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of various forms of disabilities.
Rights of children from marginalized and disadvantaged communities.
22. The State and community shall respect the rights of children from all
marginalized and disadvantaged communities, to preserve their identity, and will
encourage them to adopt practices that promote the best interest of children in their
communities.
23. The State recognizes that children from disadvantaged communities, especially
from the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, and are in need of special intervention and support
in all matters pertaining to education, health, recreation and supportive services. It shall
make adequate provisions for providing such groups with special attention in all its
policies and programmes.
Rights of Child Victims
24. The State shall in partnership with community draw up plans for the identification
and rehabilitation of child victims and ensure that they are able to recover, physically,
socially and psychologically, and re-integrate into society.
Right to Child Friendly Procedures
25. All matters and procedures relating to children, viz. judicial, administrative,
educational or social, should be child friendly. All procedures laid down under the
juvenile justice system for children in conflict with law and for children in need of
special care and protection should also be child-friendly
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ANNEXURE II
Convention on the Rights of the Child
PREAMBLE
The States Parties to the present Convention,
Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the
United Nations, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights
of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the
world,
Bearing in mind that the peoples of the United Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed
their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person,
and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger
freedom,
Recognizing that the United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
and in the International Covenants on Human Rights, proclaimed and agreed that
everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of
any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national
or social origin, property, birth or other status,
Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations has
proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance,
Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural
environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children,
should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its
responsibilities within the community,
Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her
personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love
and understanding,
Considering that the child should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society,
and brought up in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations,
and in particular in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity,
Bearing in mind that the need to extend particular care to the child has been stated in the
Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924 and in the Declaration of the
Rights of the Child adopted by the General Assembly on 20 November 1959 and
recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights (in particular in articles 23 and 24), in the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (in particular in article 10) and in the
statutes and relevant instruments of specialized agencies and international organizations
concerned with the welfare of children,
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Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, "the child,
by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care,
including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth",
Recalling the provisions of the Declaration on Social and Legal Principles relating to the
Protection and Welfare of Children, with Special Reference to Foster Placement and
Adoption Nationally and Internationally; the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules
for the Administration of Juvenile justice (The Beijing Rules); and the Declaration on the
Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict,
Recognizing that, in all countries in the world, there are children living in exceptionally
difficult conditions, and that such children need special consideration,
Taking due account of the importance of the traditions and cultural values of each people
for the protection and harmonious development of the child,
Recognizing the importance of international co-operation for improving the living

conditions of children in every country, in particular in the developing countries,
Have agreed as follows:
PART I
Article 1
For the purposes of the present Convention, a child means every human being below the
age of eighteen years unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained
earlier.
Article 2
1. States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present
Convention to each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any
kind, irrespective of the child's or his or her parent's or legal guardian's race,
colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social
origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is
protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the
status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child's parents, legal
guardians, or family members.
Article 3
1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social

welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies,
the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.
2. States Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is
necessary for his or her well-being, taking into account the rights and duties of his
or her parents, legal guardians, or other individuals legally responsible for him or
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her, and, to this end, shall take all appropriate legislative and administrative
measures.
3. States Parties shall ensure that the institutions, services and facilities responsible
for the care or protection of children shall conform with the standards established
by competent authorities, particularly in the areas of safety, health, in the number
and suitability of their staff, as well as competent supervision.
Article 4
States Parties shall undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative, and other
measures for the implementation of the rights recognized in the present Convention. With
regard to economic, social and cultural rights, States Parties shall undertake such
measures to the maximum extent of their available resources and, where needed, within
the framework of international co-operation.
Article 5
States Parties shall respect the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents or, where
applicable, the members of the extended family or community as provided for by local
custom, legal guardians or other persons legally responsible for the child, to provide, in a
manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child, appropriate direction and
guidance in the exercise by the child of the rights recognized in the present Convention.
Article 6
1. States Parties recognize that every child has the inherent right to life.
2. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and
development of the child.
Article 7
1. The child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from
birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and, as far as possible, the right
to know and be cared for by his or her parents.
2. States Parties shall ensure the implementation of these rights in accordance with
their national law and their obligations under the relevant international
instruments in this field, in particular where the child would otherwise be
stateless.
Article 8
1. States Parties undertake to respect the right of the child to preserve his or her
identity, including nationality, name and family relations as recognized by law
without unlawful interference.
2. Where a child is illegally deprived of some or all of the elements of his or her
identity, States Parties shall provide appropriate assistance and protection, with a
view to speedily re-establishing his or her identity.
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Article 9
1. States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her
parents against their will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial
review determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures, that such
separation is necessary for the best interests of the child. Such determination may
be necessary in a particular case such as one involving abuse or neglect of the
child by the parents, or one where the parents are living separately and a decision
must be made as to the child's place of residence.
2. In any proceedings pursuant to paragraph 1 of the present article, all interested
parties shall be given an opportunity to participate in the proceedings and make
their views known.
3. States Parties shall respect the right of the child who is separated from one or both
parents to maintain personal relations and direct contact with both parents on a
regular basis, except if it is contrary to the child's best interests.
4. Where such separation results from any action initiated by a State Party, such as
the detention, imprisonment, exile, deportation or death (including death arising
from any cause while the person is in the custody of the State) of one or both
parents or of the child, that State Party shall, upon request, provide the parents,
the child or, if appropriate, another member of the family with the essential
information concerning the whereabouts of the absent member(s) of the family
unless the provision of the information would be detrimental to the well-being of
the child. States Parties shall further ensure that the submission of such a request
shall of itself entail no adverse consequences for the person(s) concerned.
Article 10
1. In accordance with the obligation of States Parties under article 9, paragraph 1,

applications by a child or his or her parents to enter or leave a State Party for the
purpose of family reunification shall be dealt with by States Parties in a positive,
humane and expeditious manner. States Parties shall further ensure that the
submission of such a request shall entail no adverse consequences for the
applicants and for the members of their family.
2. A child whose parents reside in different States shall have the right to maintain on
a regular basis, save in exceptional circumstances personal relations and direct
contacts with both parents. Towards that end and in accordance with the
obligation of States Parties under article 9, paragraph 2, States Parties shall
respect the right of the child and his or her parents to leave any country, including
their own, and to enter their own country. The right to leave any country shall be
subject only to such restrictions as are prescribed by law and which are necessary
to protect the national security, public order (ordre public), public health or
morals or the rights and freedoms of others and are consistent with the other rights
recognized in the present Convention.
Article 11
1. States Parties shall take measures to combat the illicit transfer and non-return of
children abroad.
2. To this end, States Parties shall promote the conclusion of bilateral or multilateral
agreements or accession to existing agreements.
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Article 12
1. States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own
views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the
views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity
of the child.
2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be
heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either
directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner
consistent with the procedural rules of national law.
Article 13
1. The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include
freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless
of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any
other media of the child's choice.
2. The exercise of this right may be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall
only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:
o (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; or
o (b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public),
or of public health or morals.
Article 14
1. States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience
and religion.
2. States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when
applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his
or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.
3. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such
limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety,
order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
Article 15
1. States Parties recognize the rights of the child to freedom of association and to
freedom of peaceful assembly.
2. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of these rights other than those
imposed in conformity with the law and which are necessary in a democratic
society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order (ordre
public), the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights
and freedoms of others.
Article 16
1. No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her

privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his or her
honour and reputation.
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2. The child has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or
attacks.
Article 17
States Parties recognize the important function performed by the mass media and shall
ensure that the child has access to information and material from a diversity of national
and international sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of his or her social,
spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health. To this end, States Parties
shall:
 (a) Encourage the mass media to disseminate information and material of social
and cultural benefit to the child and in accordance with the spirit of article 29;
 (b) Encourage international co-operation in the production, exchange and
dissemination of such information and material from a diversity of cultural,
national and international sources;
 (c) Encourage the production and dissemination of children's books;
 (d) Encourage the mass media to have particular regard to the linguistic needs of
the child who belongs to a minority group or who is indigenous;
 (e) Encourage the development of appropriate guidelines for the protection of the
child from information and material injurious to his or her well-being, bearing in
mind the provisions of articles 13 and 18.
Article 18
1. States Parties shall use their best efforts to ensure recognition of the principle that
both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of
the child. Parents or, as the case may be, legal guardians, have the primary
responsibility for the upbringing and development of the child. The best interests
of the child will be their basic concern.
2. For the purpose of guaranteeing and promoting the rights set forth in the present
Convention, States Parties shall render appropriate assistance to parents and legal
guardians in the performance of their child-rearing responsibilities and shall
ensure the development of institutions, facilities and services for the care of
children.
3. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that children of
working parents have the right to benefit from child-care services and facilities for
which they are eligible.
Article 19
1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and
educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental
violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or
exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal
guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.
2. Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for
the establishment of social programmes to provide necessary support for the child
and for those who have the care of the child, as well as for other forms of
prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and
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follow-up of instances of child maltreatment described heretofore, and, as

appropriate, for judicial involvement.
Article 20
1. A child temporarily or permanently deprived of his or her family environment, or

in whose own best interests cannot be allowed to remain in that environment,
shall be entitled to special protection and assistance provided by the State.
2. States Parties shall in accordance with their national laws ensure alternative care
for such a child.
3. Such care could include, inter alia, foster placement, kafalah of Islamic law,
adoption or if necessary placement in suitable institutions for the care of children.
When considering solutions, due regard shall be paid to the desirability of
continuity in a child's upbringing and to the child's ethnic, religious, cultural and
linguistic background.
Article 21
States Parties that recognize and/or permit the system of adoption shall ensure that the
best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration and they shall:
 (a) Ensure that the adoption of a child is authorized only by competent authorities
who determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures and on the
basis of all pertinent and reliable information, that the adoption is permissible in
view of the child's status concerning parents, relatives and legal guardians and
that, if required, the persons concerned have given their informed consent to the
adoption on the basis of such counselling as may be necessary;
 (b) Recognize that inter-country adoption may be considered as an alternative
means of child's care, if the child cannot be placed in a foster or an adoptive
family or cannot in any suitable manner be cared for in the child's country of
origin;
 (c) Ensure that the child concerned by inter-country adoption enjoys safeguards
and standards equivalent to those existing in the case of national adoption;
 (d) Take all appropriate measures to ensure that, in inter-country adoption, the
placement does not result in improper financial gain for those involved in it;
 (e) Promote, where appropriate, the objectives of the present article by concluding
bilateral or multilateral arrangements or agreements, and endeavour, within this
framework, to ensure that the placement of the child in another country is carried
out by competent authorities or organs.
Article 22
1. States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that a child who is seeking
refugee status or who is considered a refugee in accordance with applicable
international or domestic law and procedures shall, whether unaccompanied or
accompanied by his or her parents or by any other person, receive appropriate
protection and humanitarian assistance in the enjoyment of applicable rights set
forth in the present Convention and in other international human rights or
humanitarian instruments to which the said States are Parties.
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2. For this purpose, States Parties shall provide, as they consider appropriate, co-
operation in any efforts by the United Nations and other competent
intergovernmental organizations or non-governmental organizations co-operating
with the United Nations to protect and assist such a child and to trace the parents
or other members of the family of any refugee child in order to obtain information
necessary for reunification with his or her family. In cases where no parents or
other members of the family can be found, the child shall be accorded the same
protection as any other child permanently or temporarily deprived of his or her
family environment for any reason, as set forth in the present Convention.
Article 23
1. States Parties recognize that a mentally or physically disabled child should enjoy
a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance
and facilitate the child's active participation in the community.
2. States Parties recognize the right of the disabled child to special care and shall
encourage and ensure the extension, subject to available resources, to the eligible
child and those responsible for his or her care, of assistance for which application
is made and which is appropriate to the child's condition and to the circumstances
of the parents or others caring for the child.
3. Recognizing the special needs of a disabled child, assistance extended in
accordance with paragraph 2 of the present article shall be provided free of
charge, whenever possible, taking into account the financial resources of the
parents or others caring for the child, and shall be designed to ensure that the
disabled child has effective access to and receives education, training, health care
services, rehabilitation services, preparation for employment and recreation
opportunities in a manner conducive to the child's achieving the fullest possible
social integration and individual development, including his or her cultural and
spiritual development.
4. States Parties shall promote, in the spirit of international co-operation, the
exchange of appropriate information in the field of preventive health care and of
medical, psychological and functional treatment of disabled children, including
dissemination of and access to information concerning methods of rehabilitation,
education and vocational services, with the aim of enabling States Parties to
improve their capabilities and skills and to widen their experience in these areas.
In this regard, particular account shall be taken of the needs of developing
countries.
Article 24
1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest
attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and
rehabilitation of health. States Parties shall strive to ensure that no child is
deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services forth in the
present Convention and in other international human rights or humanitarian
instruments to which the said States are Parties.
2. For this purpose, States Parties shall provide, as they consider appropriate, co-
operation in any efforts by the United Nations and other competent
intergovernmental organizations or non-governmental organizations cooperating
with the United Nations to protect and assist such a child and to trace the parents
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or other members of the family of any refugee child in order to obtain information
necessary for reunification with his or her family. In cases where no parents or
other members of the family can be found, the child shall be accorded the same
protection as any other child permanently or temporarily deprived of his or her
family environment for any reason, as set forth in the present Convention.
3. States Parties shall pursue full implementation of this right and, in particular, shall
take appropriate measures:
o (a) To diminish infant and child mortality;
o (b) To ensure the provision of necessary medical assistance and health
care to all children with emphasis on the development of primary health
care;
o (c) To combat disease and malnutrition, including within the framework of
primary health care, through, iner alia, the application of readily available
technology and through the provision of adequate nutritious foods and
clean drinking-water, taking into consideration the dangers and risks of
environmental pollution;
o (d) To ensure appropriate pre-natal and post-natal health care for mothers;
o (e) To ensure that all segments of society, in particular parents and
children, are informed, have access to education and are supported in the
use of basic knowledge of child health and nutrition, the advantages of
breast-feeding, hygiene and environmental sanitation and the prevention
of accidents;
o (f) To develop preventive health care, guidance for parents and family
planning education and services.
4. States Parties shall take all effective and appropriate measures with a view to
abolishing traditional practices prejudicial to the health of children.
5. States Parties undertake to promote and encourage international co-operation with
a view to achieving progressively the full realization of the right recognized in the
present article. In this regard, particular account shall be taken of the needs of
developing countries.
Article 25
States Parties recognize the right of a child who has been placed by the competent
authorities for the purposes of care, protection or treatment of his or her physical or
mental health, to a periodic review of the treatment provided to the child and all other
circumstances relevant to his or her placement.
Article 26
1. States Parties shall recognize for every child the right to benefit from social
security, including social insurance, and shall take the necessary measures to
achieve the full realization of this right in accordance with their national law.
2. The benefits should, where appropriate, be granted, taking into account the
resources and the circumstances of the child and persons having responsibility for
the maintenance of the child, as well as any other consideration relevant to an
application for benefits made by or on behalf of the child.
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Article 27
1. States Parties recognize the right of every child to a standard of living adequate
for the child's physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.
2. The parent(s) or others responsible for the child have the primary responsibility to
secure, within their abilities and financial capacities, the conditions of living
necessary for the child's development.
3. States Parties, in accordance with national conditions and within their means,
shall take appropriate measures to assist parents and others responsible for the
child to implement this right and shall in case of need provide material assistance
and support programmes, particularly with regard to nutrition, clothing and
housing.
4. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to secure the recovery of
maintenance for the child from the parents or other persons having financial
responsibility for the child, both within the State Party and from abroad. In
particular, where the person having financial responsibility for the child lives in a
State different from that of the child, States Parties shall promote the accession to
international agreements or the conclusion of such agreements, as well as the
making of other appropriate arrangements.
Article 28
1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to education, and with a view to
achieving this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity, they
shall, in particular:
o (a) Make primary education compulsory and available free to all;
o (b) Encourage the development of different forms of secondary education,
including general and vocational education, make them available and
accessible to every child, and take appropriate measures such as the
introduction of free education and offering financial assistance in case of
need;
o (c) Make higher education accessible to all on the basis of capacity by
every appropriate means;
o (d) Make educational and vocational information and guidance available
and accessible to all children;
o (e) Take measures to encourage regular attendance at schools and the
reduction of drop-out rates.
2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that school discipline is
administered in a manner consistent with the child's human dignity and in
conformity with the present Convention.
3. States Parties shall promote and encourage international co-operation in matters
relating to education, in particular with a view to contributing to the elimination
of ignorance and illiteracy throughout the world and facilitating access to
scientific and technical knowledge and modern teaching methods. In this regard,
particular account shall be taken of the needs of developing countries.
Article 29
1. States Parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to:
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o (a) The development of the child's personality, talents and mental and
physical abilities to their fullest potential;
o (b) The development of respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms, and for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United
Nations;
o (c) The development of respect for the child's parents, his or her own
cultural identity, language and values, for the national values of the
country in which the child is living; the country from which he or she may
originate, and for civilizations different from his or her own;
o (d) The preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the
spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes, and friendship
among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of
indigenous origin;
o (e) The development of respect for the natural environment.
2. No part of the present article or article 28 shall be construed so as to interfere with
the liberty of individuals and bodies to establish and direct educational
institutions, subject always to the observance of the principles set forth in
paragraph 1 of the present article and to the requirements that the education given
in such institutions shall conform to such minimum standards as may be laid
down by the State.
Article 30
In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities or persons of indigenous

origin exist, a child belonging to such a minority or who is indigenous shall not be denied
the right, in community with other members of his or her group, to enjoy his or her own
culture, to profess and practise his or her own religion, or to use his or her own language.
Article 31
1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play
and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate
freely in cultural life and the arts.
2. States Parties shall respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in
cultural and artistic life and shall encourage the provision of appropriate and equal
opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activity.
Article 32
1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to be protected from economic
exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to
interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or
physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.
2. States Parties shall take legislative, administrative, social and educational
measures to ensure the implementation of the present article. To this end, and
having regard to the relevant provisions of other international instruments, States
Parties shall in particular:
o (a) Provide for a minimum age or minimum ages for admission to
employment;
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o (b) Provide for appropriate regulation of the hours and conditions of

employment;
o (c) Provide for appropriate penalties or other sanctions to ensure the,
effective enforcement of the present article.
Article 33
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures, including legislative, administrative,
social and educational measures, to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs
and psychotropic substances as defined in the relevant international treaties, and to
prevent the use of children in the illicit production and trafficking of such substances.
Article 34
States Parties undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and
sexual abuse. For these purposes, States Parties shall in particular take all appropriate
national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent:
 (a) The inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual

activity;
 (b) The exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual
practices;
The exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials.
Article 35
States Parties shall take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to
prevent the abduction of, the sale of or traffic in children for any purpose or in any form.
Article 36
States Parties shall protect the child against all other forms of exploitation prejudicial to
any aspects of the child's welfare.
Article 37
States Parties shall ensure that:
 (a) No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading

treatment or punishment. Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment
without possibility of release shall be imposed for offences committed by persons
below eighteen years of age;
 (b) No child shall be deprived of his or her liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily. The
arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child shall be in conformity with the law
and shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate
period of time;
 (c) Every child deprived of liberty shall be treated with humanity and respect for
the inherent dignity of the human person, and in a manner which takes into
account the needs of persons of his or her age. In particular, every child deprived
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of liberty shall be separated from adults unless it is considered in the child's best
interest not to do so and shall have the right to maintain contact with his or her
family through correspondence and visits, save in exceptional circumstances;
 (d) Every child deprived of his or her liberty shall have the right to prompt access
to legal and other appropriate assistance, as well as the right to challenge the
legality of the deprivation of his or her liberty before a court or other competent,
independent and impartial authority, and to a prompt decision on any such action.
Article 38
1. States Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for rules of international
humanitarian law applicable to them in armed conflicts which are relevant to the
child.
2. States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure that persons who have not
attained the age of fifteen years do not take a direct part in hostilities.
3. States Parties shall refrain from recruiting any person who has not attained the age
of fifteen years into their armed forces. In recruiting among those persons who
have attained the age of fifteen years but who have not attained the age of
eighteen years, States Parties shall endeavour to give priority to those who are
oldest.
4. In accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law to
protect the civilian population in armed conflicts, States Parties shall take all
feasible measures to ensure protection and care of children who are affected by an
armed conflict.
Article 39
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to promote physical and psychological
recovery and social reintegration of a child victim of: any form of neglect, exploitation,
or abuse; torture or any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment; or armed conflicts. Such recovery and reintegration shall take place in an
environment which fosters the health, self-respect and dignity of the child.
Article 40
1. States Parties recognize the right of every child alleged as, accused of, or
recognized as having infringed the penal law to be treated in a manner consistent
with the promotion of the child's sense of dignity and worth, which reinforces the
child's respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of others and
which takes into account the child's age and the desirability of promoting the
child's reintegration and the child's assuming a constructive role in society.
2. To this end, and having regard to the relevant provisions of international
instruments, States Parties shall, in particular, ensure that:
o (a) No child shall be alleged as, be accused of, or recognized as having
infringed the penal law by reason of acts or omissions that were not
prohibited by national or international law at the time they were
committed;
o (b) Every child alleged as or accused of having infringed the penal law has
at least the following guarantees:
 (i) To be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law;
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 (ii) To be informed promptly and directly of the charges against

him or her, and, if appropriate, through his or her parents or legal
guardians, and to have legal or other appropriate assistance in the
preparation and presentation of his or her defence;
 (iii) To have the matter determined without delay by a competent,
independent and impartial authority or judicial body in a fair
hearing according to law, in the presence of legal or other
appropriate assistance and, unless it is considered not to be in the
best interest of the child, in particular, taking into account his or
her age or situation, his or her parents or legal guardians;
 (iv) Not to be compelled to give testimony or to confess quilt; to
examine or have examined adverse witnesses and to obtain the
participation and examination of witnesses on his or her behalf
under conditions of equality;
 (v) If considered to have infringed the penal law, to have this
decision and any measures imposed in consequence thereof
reviewed by a higher competent, independent and impartial
authority or judicial body according to law;
 (vi) To have the free assistance of an interpreter if the child cannot
understand or speak the language used;
 (vii) To have his or her privacy fully respected at all stages of the
proceedings.
3. States Parties shall seek to promote the establishment of laws, procedures,
authorities and institutions specifically applicable to children alleged as, accused
of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law, and, in particular:
o (a) The establishment of a minimum age below which children shall be
presumed not to have the capacity to infringe the penal law;
o (b) Whenever appropriate and desirable, measures for dealing with such
children without resorting to judicial proceedings, providing that human
rights and legal safeguards are fully respected.
4. A variety of dispositions, such as care, guidance and supervision orders;
counselling; probation; foster care; education and vocational training programmes
and other alternatives to institutional care shall be available to ensure that children
are dealt with in a manner appropriate to their well-being and proportionate both
to their circumstances and the offence.
Article 41
Nothing in the present Convention shall affect any provisions which are more conducive
to the realization of the rights of the child and which may be contained in:
 (a) The law of a State Party; or

 (b) International law in force for that State.
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PART II
Article 42
States Parties undertake to make the principles and provisions of the Convention widely
known, by appropriate and active means, to adults and children alike.
Article 43
1. For the purpose of examining the progress made by States Parties in achieving the
realization of the obligations undertaken in the present Convention, there shall be
established a Committee on the Rights of the Child, which shall carry out the
functions hereinafter provided.
2. The Committee shall consist of ten experts of high moral standing and recognized
competent in the field covered by this Convention. The members of the
Committee shall be elected by States Parties from among their nationals and shall
serve in their personal capacity, consideration being given to equitable
geographical distribution, as well as to the principal legal systems.
3. The members of the Committee shall be elected by secret ballot from a list of
persons nominated by States Parties. Each State Party may nominate one person
from among its own nationals.
4. The initial election to the Committee shall be held no later than six months after
the date of the entry into force of the present Convention and thereafter every
second year. At least four months before the date of each election, the Secretary-
General of the United Nations shall address a letter to States Parties inviting them
to submit their nominations within two months. The Secretary-General shall
subsequently prepare a list in alphabetical order of all persons thus nominated,
indicating States Parties which have nominated them, and shall submit it to the
States Parties to the present Convention.
5. The elections shall be held at meetings of States Parties convened by the
Secretary-General at United Nations Headquarters. At those meetings, for which
two thirds of States Parties shall constitute a quorum, the persons elected to the
Committee shall be those who obtain the largest number of votes and an absolute
majority of the votes of the representatives of States Parties present and voting.
6. The members of the Committee shall be elected for a term of four years They
shall be eligible for re-election if renominated. The term of five of the members
elected at the first election shall expire at the end of two years; immediately after
the first election, the names of these five members shall be chosen by lot by the
Chairman of the meeting.
7. If a member of the Committee dies or resigns or declares that for any other cause
he or she can no longer perform the duties of the Committee, the State Party
which nominated the member shall appoint another expert from among its
nationals to serve for the remainder of the term, subject to the approval of the
Committee.
8. The Committee shall establish its own rules of procedure.
9. The Committee shall elect its officers for a period of two years.
10. The meetings of the Committee shall normally be held at United Nations
Headquarters or at any other convenient place as determined by the Committee.
The Committee shall normally meet annually. The duration of the meetings of the
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Committee shall be determined, and reviewed, it necessary, by a meeting of the

States Parties to the present Convention, subject to the approval of the General
Assembly.
11. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall provide the necessary staff and
facilities for the effective performance of the functions of the Committee under
the present Convention.
12. With the approval of the General Assembly, the members of the Committee
established under the present Convention shall receive emoluments from United
Nations resources on such terms and conditions as the Assembly may decide.
Article 44
1. States Parties undertake to submit to the Committee, through the Secretary-

General of the United Nations, reports on the measures they have adopted which
give effect to the rights recognized herein and on the progress made on the
enjoyment of those rights:
o (a) Within two years of the entry into force of the Convention for the State
Party concerned;
o (b) Thereafter every five years.
2. Reports made under the present article shall indicate factors and difficulties, if
any, affecting the degree of fulfillment of the obligations under the present
Convention. Reports shall also contain sufficient information to provide the
Committee with a comprehensive understanding of the implementation of the
Convention in the country concerned.
3. A State Party which has submitted a comprehensive initial report to the
Committee need not, in its subsequent reports submitted in accordance with
paragraph 1 (b) of the present article, repeat basic information previously
provided.
4. The Committee may request from States Parties further information relevant to
the implementation of the Convention.
5. The Committee shall submit to the General Assembly, through the Economic and
Social Council, every two years, reports on its activities.
6. States Parties shall make their reports widely available to the public in their own
countries.
Article 45
In order to foster the effective implementation of the Convention and to encourage

international co-operation in the field covered by the Convention:
 (a) The specialized agencies, the United Nations Children's Fund, and other
United Nations organs shall be entitled to be represented at the consideration of
the implementation of such provisions of the present Convention as fall within the
scope of their mandate. The Committee may invite the specialized agencies, the
United Nations Children's Fund and other competent bodies as it may consider
appropriate to provide expert advice on the implementation of the Convention in
areas falling within the scope of their respective mandates. The Committee may
invite the specialized agencies, the United Nations Children's Fund, and other
United Nations organs to submit reports on the implementation of the Convention
in areas falling within the scope of their activities;
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 (b) The Committee shall transmit, as it may consider appropriate, to the

specialized agencies, the United Nations Children's Fund and other competent
bodies, any reports from States Parties that contain a request, or indicate a need,
for technical advice or assistance, along with the Committee's observations and
suggestions, if any, on these requests or indications;
 (c) The Committee may recommend to the General Assembly to request the
Secretary-General to undertake on its behalf studies on specific issues relating to
the rights of the child;
 (d) The Committee may make suggestions and general recommendations based on
information received pursuant to articles 44 and 45 of the present Convention.
Such suggestions and general recommendations shall be transmitted to any State
Party concerned and reported to the General Assembly, together with comments,
if any, from States Parties.
PART III
Article 46
The present Convention shall be open for signature by all States.
Article 47
The present Convention is subject to ratification. Instruments of ratification shall be

deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article 48
The present Convention shall remain open for accession by any State. The instruments of
accession shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article 49
1. The present Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the
date of deposit with the Secretary-General of the United Nations of the twentieth
instrument of ratification or accession.
2. For each State ratifying or acceding to the Convention after the deposit of the
twentieth instrument of ratification or accession, the Convention shall enter into
force on the thirtieth day after the deposit by such State of its instrument of
ratification or accession.
Article 50
1. Any State Party may propose an amendment and file it with the Secretary-General
of the United Nations. The Secretary-General shall thereupon communicate the
proposed amendment to States Parties, with a request that they indicate whether
they favour a conference of States Parties for the purpose of considering and
voting upon the proposals. In the event that, within four months from the date of
such communication, at least one third of the States Parties favour such a
conference, the Secretary-General shall convene the conference under the
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auspices of the United Nations. Any amendment adopted by a majority of States

Parties present and voting at the conference shall be submitted to the General
Assembly for approval.
2. An amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 1 of the present article shall
enter into force when it has been approved by the General Assembly of the United
Nations and accepted by a two-thirds majority of States Parties.
3. When an amendment enters into force, it shall be binding on those States Parties
which have accepted it, other States Parties still being bound by the provisions of
the present Convention and any earlier amendments which they have accepted.
Article 51
1. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall receive and circulate to all
States the text of reservations made by States at the time of ratification or
accession.
2. A reservation incompatible with the object and purpose of the present Convention
shall not be permitted.
3. Reservations may be withdrawn at any time by notification to that effect
addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall then inform
all States. Such notification shall take effect an the date on which it is received by
the Secretary-General.
Article 52
A State Party may denounce the present Convention by written notification to the
Secretary-General of the United Nations. Denunciation becomes effective one year after
the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary-General.
Article 53
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is designated as the depositary of the

present Convention.
Article 54
The original of the present Convention, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French,
Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Secretary-
General of the United Nations.
In witness thereof the undersigned plenipotentiaries, being duly authorized thereto by

their respective Governments, have signed the present Convention.
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ANNEXURE III
THE YOKOHAMA GLOBAL COMMITMENT
17-20 December 2001
The Congress aims to draw attention to the plight of children in the world sex trade,
review progress made since the first World Congress Against Commercial Sexual
Exploitation of Children and devise further methods to protect children from sexual
exploitation.
Governments, Non-Governmental Organizations and others came together for the first
time in Stockholm, Sweden five years ago, to work on a global basis against the
commercial sexual exploitation of children.
As a follow up to that meeting, the World Congress Against Commercial Sexual

Exploitation of Children, a series of regional consultations were held ahead of the Second
World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children to be held in
Yokohama, Japan from 17 to 20 December.
The first regional consultation, for the East Asia and Pacific region, ran from 16-18
October in Bangkok and was attended by 280 participants, including 70 government
representatives and 20 children. A regional plan and strategy came out of the meeting.
These regional working meetings signify important progress since 1996, because the
discussions were based on data and research from the field, bringing the process closer to
the work of implementing action on the ground. These conferences have produced
regional strategies, partnerships and key interventions for tackling commercial sexual
exploitation of children.
UNICEF was entrusted with organizing the series of regional meetings in collaboration
with the other partners co-organizing the congress - the Government of Japan which is
hosting the event, ECPAT International (a network of organizations and individuals
working together for the elimination of child prostitution, child pornography and
trafficking of children for sexual purposes) and the Non-Governmental Organization
(NGO) Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The regional consultations addressed local concerns and helped ensure that they will be
addressed at Yokohama. The aim was to involve as many people as possible, including
government officials as well as representatives from local NGOs and children, many of
whom might not be able to travel to Japan.
The other regional consultations were in Rabat from 24-26 October, to cover Africa and
the Middle East; then in Dhaka from 5-6 November for South Asia; Montevideo from 7-9
November for Latin America and the Caribbean; Budapest on 20 and 21 November for
Eastern and Western Europe; and Philadelphia from 2-3 December for the USA, Canada
and Mexico.
The Congress itself aims to draw attention to the plight of children in the world sex trade,
review progress made since the first World Congress Against Commercial Sexual
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Exploitation of Children and devise further methods to protect children from sexual
exploitation.
The participants in the first World Congress devised a plan to combat the sexual
exploitation of children embodied in the Stockholm Declaration, which called on
governments to:
 Give high priority and dedicate more financial and human resources to combating
the problem;
 Promote stronger cooperation among all sectors and strengthen the role of
families in protecting children;
 Criminalize all forms of sexual exploitation of children and penalize offenders;
 Review, revise, enforce and promote the relevant laws, policies, programmes and
practices;
 Develop methods to prevent, protect, recover and reintegrate children vulnerable
to exploitation;
 Create a climate that helps carers to fulfil their obligations to children;
 Mobilize political and other partners;
 Try to involve more children in the fight against their sexual exploitation.
The conference also produced an Agenda for Action which called on governments to put
together national plans of action with indicators, goals and a time frame to reduce the
number of children who are sexually exploited each year, as well as implement and
monitor ways of measuring progress at all levels, and collecting and sharing data. All 122
governments who attended the conference adopted the Stockholm Declaration and
committed to creating national plans of action by the year 2000.
In Yokohama, participants will share expertise on what worked and what did not in the
fight against the commercial sexual exploitation of children. A series of presentations,
panel discussions and workshops will review the various national plans of action and
identify gaps in the protection of children from sexual exploitation.
Following on the Stockholm Declaration's call for states to include children in national
and local efforts to prevent their sexual exploitation, the Yokohama Congress will
include discussions with children from all over the world. The children will meet prior to
the Congress in Kawasaki City from 13 to 16 December and prepare a report to present to
the full Congress.
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ANNEXURE IV
A WORLD FIT FOR CHILDREN
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
10 May 2002
I. Declaration
1. Eleven years ago, at the World Summit for Children, world leaders made a joint
commitment and issued an urgent, universal appeal to give every child a better future.1
2. Since then, much progress has been made, as documented in the report of the
Secretary-General entitled “We the Children”.2 Millions of young lives have been saved,
more children than ever are in school, more children are actively involved in decisions
concerning their lives and important treaties have been concluded to protect children.
However, these achievements and gains have been uneven, and many obstacles remain,
particularly in developing countries. A brighter future for all children has proved elusive,
and overall gains have fallen short of national obligations and international commitments.
3. We, the heads of State and Government and representatives of States participating in
the special session of the General Assembly on children, reaffirming our commitment to
the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, are
determined to seize this historic opportunity to change the world for and with children.
Accordingly, we reaffirm our commitment to complete the unfinished agenda of the
World Summit for Children and to address other emerging issues vital to the achievement
of the longer-term goals and objectives endorsed at recent major United Nations summits
and conferences, in particular the United Nations Millennium Declaration,3 through
national action and international cooperation.
4. We reaffirm our obligation to take action to promote and protect the rights of each
child – every human being below the age of 18 years, including adolescents. We are
determined to respect the dignity and to secure the well-being of all children. We
acknowledge that the Convention on the Rights of the Child,4 the most universally
embraced human rights treaty in history, and the Optional Protocols thereto,5 contain a
comprehensive set of international legal standards for the protection and well-being of
children. We also recognize the importance of other international instruments relevant for
children.
5. We stress our commitment to create a world fit for children, in which sustainable
human development, taking into account the best interests of the child, is founded on
principles of democracy, equality, non-discrimination, peace and social justice and the
universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights,
including the right to development.
6. We recognize and support parents and families or, as the case may be, legal guardians
as the primary caretakers of children, and we will strengthen their capacity to provide
optimum care, nurturing and protection.
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7. We hereby call upon all members of society to join us in a global movement that will
help to build a world fit for children by upholding our commitment to the following
principles and objectives:
1. Put children first. In all actions related to children, the best interests of the child
shall be a primary consideration.
2. Eradicate poverty: invest in children. We reaffirm our vow to break the cycle of
poverty within a single generation, united in the conviction that investments in
children and the realization of their rights are among the most effective ways to
eradicate poverty. Immediate action must be taken to eliminate the worst forms of
child labour.
3. Leave no child behind. Each girl and boy is born free and equal in dignity and
rights; therefore, all forms of discrimination affecting children must end.
4. Care for every child. Children must get the best possible start in life. Their
survival, protection, growth and development in good health and with proper
nutrition are the essential foundation of human development. We will make
concerted efforts to fight infectious diseases, tackle major causes of malnutrition
and nurture children in a safe environment that enables them to be physically
healthy, mentally alert, emotionally secure, socially competent and able to learn.
5. Educate every child. All girls and boys must have access to and complete
primary education that is free, compulsory and of good quality as a cornerstone of
an inclusive basic education. Gender disparities in primary and secondary
education must be eliminated.
6. Protect children from harm and exploitation. Children must be protected
against any acts of violence, abuse, exploitation and discrimination, as well as all
forms of terrorism and hostage-taking.
7. Protect children from war. Children must be protected from the horrors of
armed conflict. Children under foreign occupation must also be protected, in
accordance with the provisions of international humanitarian law.
8. Combat HIV/AIDS. Children and their families must be protected from the
devastating impact of the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
9. Listen to children and ensure their participation. Children and adolescents are
resourceful citizens capable of helping to build a better future for all. We must
respect their right to express themselves and to participate in all matters affecting
them, in accordance with their age and maturity.
10. Protect the Earth for children. We must safeguard our natural environment,
with its diversity of life, its beauty and its resources, all of which enhance the
quality of life, for present and future generations. We will give every assistance to
protect children and minimize the impact of natural disasters and environmental
degradation on them.
8. We recognize that the implementation of the present Declaration and the Plan of
Action requires not only renewed political will but also the mobilization and allocation of
additional resources at both the national and international levels, taking into account the
urgency and gravity of the special needs of children.
9. In line with these principles and objectives, we adopt the Plan of Action contained in
section III below, confident that together we will build a world in which all girls and boys
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can enjoy childhood — a time of play and learning, in which they are loved, respected
and cherished, their rights are promoted and protected, without discrimination of any
kind, in which their safety and well-being are paramount and in which they can develop
in health, peace and dignity.
II. Review of progress and lessons learned
10. The World Declaration and the Plan of Action of the World Summit for Children 6
are among the most rigorously monitored and implemented international commitments of
the 1990s. Annual reviews were held at the national level and progress reports presented
to the General Assembly. A mid-decade review 7 and an extensive global end-decade
review 2 were conducted. The latter included high-level regional meetings in Beijing,
Berlin, Cairo, Kathmandu and Kingston, which reviewed progress, ensured follow-up to
the Summit and other major conferences, promoted renewed commitment to the
achievement of the goals of the Summit and guided actions for the future.
Complementing efforts by Governments, a wide range of actors participated in the
reviews, including children, young people’s organizations, academic institutions,
religious groups, civil society organizations, parliamentarians, the media, United Nations
agencies, donors and major national and international non-governmental organizations.
11. As documented in the end-decade review of the Secretary-General on follow-up to

the World Summit for Children, the 1990s was a decade of great promises and modest
achievements for the world’s children. On the positive side, the Summit and the entry
into force of the Convention on the Rights of the Child helped to accord political priority
to children. A record 191 countries ratified, acceded to or signed the Convention. Some
155 countries prepared national programmes of action to implement the Summit goals.
Regional commitments were made. International legal provisions and mechanisms
strengthened the protection of children. Pursuit of the Summit goals has led to many
tangible results for children: this year, 3 million fewer children will die than a decade
ago; polio has been brought to the brink of eradication; and, through salt iodization, 90
million newborns are protected every year from a significant loss of learning ability.
12. Yet much more needs to be done. The resources that were promised at the Summit at
both the national and international levels have yet to materialize fully. Critical challenges
remain: more than 10 million children die each year, although most of those deaths could
be prevented; 100 million children are still out of school, 60 per cent of them girls; 150
million children suffer from malnutrition; and HIV/AIDS is spreading with catastrophic
speed. There is persistent poverty, exclusion and discrimination, and inadequate
investment in social services. Also, debt burdens, excessive military spending,
inconsistent with national security requirements, armed conflict, foreign occupation,
hostage-taking and all forms of terrorism, as well as the lack of efficiency in the use of
resources, among other factors, can constrain national efforts to combat poverty and to
ensure the well-being of children. The childhood of millions continues to be devastated
by hazardous and exploitative labour, the sale and trafficking of children, including
adolescents, and other forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence.
13. The experience of the past decade has confirmed that the needs and rights of children
must be a priority in all development efforts. There are many key lessons: change is
possible – and children’s rights are an effective rallying point; policies must address both
the immediate factors affecting or excluding groups of children and the wider and deeper
135
causes of inadequate protection and rights violations; targeted interventions that achieve
rapid successes need to be pursued, with due attention to sustainability and participatory
processes; and efforts should build on children’s own resilience and strength.
multisectoral programmes focusing on early childhood and support to families, especially
in high-risk conditions, merit special support because they provide lasting benefits for
child growth, development and protection.
III. Plan of Action

A. Creating a world fit for children
14. A world fit for children is one in which all children get the best possible start in life
and have access to a quality basic education, including primary education that is
compulsory and available free to all, and in which all children, including adolescents,
have ample opportunity to develop their individual capacities in a safe and supportive
environment. We will promote the physical, psychological, spiritual, social, emotional,
cognitive and cultural development of children as a matter of national and global priority.
15. The family is the basic unit of society and as such should be strengthened. It is
entitled to receive comprehensive protection and support. The primary responsibility for
the protection, upbringing and development of children rests with the family. All
institutions of society should respect children’s rights and secure their well-being and
render appropriate assistance to parents, families, legal guardians and other caregivers so
that children can grow and develop in a safe and stable environment and in an
atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding, bearing in mind that in different
cultural, social and political systems, various forms of the family exist.
16. We also recognize that a considerable number of children live without parental
support, such as orphans, children living on the street, internally displaced and refugee
children, children affected by trafficking and sexual and economic exploitation and
children who are incarcerated. Special measures should be taken to support such children
and the institutions, facilities and services that care for them, and to build and strengthen
children’s own abilities to protect themselves.
17. We are determined to promote access by parents, families, legal guardians, caregivers
and children themselves to a full range of information and services to promote child
survival, development, protection and participation.
18. Chronic poverty remains the single biggest obstacle to meeting the needs, protecting
And promoting the rights of children. It must be tackled on all fronts, from the provision
of basic social services to the creation of employment opportunities, from the availability
of micro credit to investment in infrastructure, and from debt relief to fair trade practices.
Children are hardest hit by poverty because it strikes at the very roots of their potential
for development — their growing bodies and minds. Eradication of poverty and the
reduction of disparities must therefore be a key objective of development efforts. The
goals and strategies agreed upon at recent major United Nations conferences and their
follow-ups, in particular the Millennium Summit, provide a helpful international
framework for national strategies for poverty reduction to fulfil and protect the rights and
promote the well being of children.
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19. We recognize that globalization and interdependence are opening new opportunities
through trade, investment and capital flows and advances in technology, including
information technology, for the growth of the world economy, development and the
improvement of living standards around the world. At the same time, there remain
serious challenges, including serious financial crises, insecurity, poverty, exclusion and
inequality within and among societies. Considerable obstacles to further integration and
full participation in the global economy remain for developing countries, in particular the
least developed countries, as well as for some countries with economies in transition.
Unless the benefits of social and economic development are extended to all countries, a
growing number of people in all countries and even entire regions will remain
marginalized from the global economy. We must act now in order to overcome those
obstacles affecting peoples and countries and to realize the full potential of opportunities
presented for them benefit of all, in particular children. We are committed to an open,
equitable, rule-based, predictable and non-discriminatory multilateral trading and
financial system. Investment in, inter alia, education and training will assist in enabling
children to partake of the benefits of the breakthroughs in information and
communication technologies. Globalization offers opportunities and challenges. The
developing countries and countries with economies in transition face special difficulties
in responding to those challenges and opportunities. Globalization should be fully
inclusive and equitable, and there is a strong need for policies and measures at the
national and international levels, formulated and implemented with the full and effective
participation of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to help
them to respond effectively to those challenges and opportunities, giving high priority to
achieving progress for children.
20. Discrimination gives rise to a self-perpetuating cycle of social and economic

exclusion and undermines children’s ability to develop to the fullest. We will make every
effort to eliminate discrimination against children, whether rooted in the child’s or his or
her parent’s or legal guardian’s race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other
opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
21. We will take all measures to ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights
and fundamental freedoms, including equal access to health, education and recreational
services, by children with disabilities and children with special needs, to ensure the
recognition of their dignity, to promote their self-reliance, and to facilitate their active
participation in the community.
22. Indigenous children and children belonging to minorities and vulnerable groups are
disproportionately disadvantaged in many countries owing to all forms of discrimination,
including racial discrimination. We will take appropriate measures to end discrimination,
to provide special support, and to ensure equal access to services for these children.
23. The achievement of goals for children, particularly for girls, will be advanced if
women fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to
development, are empowered to participate fully and equally in all spheres of society and
are protected and free from all forms of violence, abuse and discrimination. We are
determined to eliminate all forms of discrimination against the girl child throughout her
life cycle and to provide special attention to her needs in order to promote and protect all
her human rights, including the right to be free from coercion and from harmful practices
and sexual exploitation. We will promote gender equality and equal access to basic social
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services, such as education, nutrition, health care, including sexual and reproductive
health care, vaccinations, and protection from diseases representing the major causes of
mortality, and will mainstream a gender perspective in all development policies and
programmes.
24. We also recognize the need to address the changing role of men in society, as boys,
adolescents and fathers, and the challenges faced by boys growing up in today’s world.
We will further promote the shared responsibility of both parents in education and in the
raising of children, and will make every effort to ensure that fathers have opportunities to
participate in their children’s lives.
25. It is vital that national goals for children include targets for reducing disparities, in
particular those that arise from discrimination on the basis of race, between girls and
boys, rural and urban children, wealthy and poor children and those with and without
disabilities.
26. A number of environmental problems and trends, such as global warming, ozone
layer depletion, air pollution, hazardous wastes, exposure to hazardous chemicals and
pesticides, inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene, unsafe drinking water and food and,
inadequate housing, need to be addressed to ensure the health and well-being of children.
27. Adequate housing fosters family integration, contributes to social equity and
strengthens the feeling of belonging, security and human solidarity, all of which are
essential for the well-being of children. Accordingly, we will attach a high priority to
overcoming the housing shortage and other infrastructure needs, particularly for children
in marginalized peri-urban and remote rural areas.
28. We will take measures to manage our natural resources and protect and conserve our
environment in a sustainable manner. We will work to change unsustainable patterns of
production and consumption, bearing in mind principles, including the principle that, in
view of different contributions to global and environmental degradation, States have
common but differentiated responsibilities. We will help to educate all children and
adults to respect the natural environment for their health and well-being.
29. The Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocols thereto contain
a comprehensive set of international legal standards for the protection and well being of
children. We also recognize the importance of other international instruments relevant for
children. The general principles of, inter alia, the best interests of the child, non-
discrimination, participation and survival and development provide the framework for
our actions concerning children, including adolescents. We urge all countries to consider,
as a matter of priority, signing and ratifying or acceding to the Convention on the Rights
of the Child, the Optional Protocols thereto, as well as International Labour Organization
Conventions Nos. 138.8 and 182.9 We urge States parties to implement fully their treaty
obligations and to withdraw reservations incompatible with the object and purpose of the
Convention and to consider reviewing reservations with a view to withdrawing them.
30. We welcome the entry into force of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the
Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale of
children, child prostitution and child pornography, and urge States parties to implement
them fully.
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31. We, the Governments participating in the special session, commit ourselves to
implementing the Plan of Action through consideration of such measures as:
(a) Putting in place, as appropriate, effective national legislation, policies and action
plans and allocating resources to fulfil and protect the rights and to secure the well-being
of children;
(b) Establishing or strengthening national bodies such as, inter alia, independent
ombudspersons for children, where appropriate, or other institutions for the promotion
and protection of the rights of the child;
(c) Developing national monitoring and evaluation systems to assess the impact of our
actions on children;
(d) Enhancing widespread awareness and understanding of the rights of the child.
Partnerships and participation
32. In order to implement the present Plan of Action, we will strengthen our partnership
with the following actors, who have unique contributions to make, and encourage the use
of all avenues for participation to advance our common cause — the well-being of
children and the promotion and protection of their rights:
1. Children, including adolescents, must be enabled to exercise their right to express

their views freely, according to their evolving capacity, and build self-esteem,
acquire knowledge and skills, such as those for conflict resolution, decision-
making and communication, to meet the challenges of life. The right of children,
including adolescents, to express themselves freely must be respected and
promoted and their views taken into account in all matters affecting them, the
views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity
of the child. The energy and creativity of children and young people must be
nurtured so that they can actively take part in shaping their environment, their
societies and the world they will inherit. Disadvantaged and marginalized
children, including adolescents in particular, need special attention and support to
access basic services, to build self-esteem and to prepare them to take
responsibility for their own lives. We will strive to develop and implement
programmes to promote meaningful participation by children, including
adolescents, in decision-making processes, including in families and schools and
at the local and national levels.
2. Parents, families, legal guardians and other caregivers have the primary role and
responsibility for the well-being of children, and must be supported in the
performance of their child-rearing responsibilities. All our policies and
programmes should promote the shared responsibility of parents, families, legal
guardians and other caregivers, and society as a whole in this regard.
3. Local governments and authorities through, inter alia, strengthened partnerships at
all levels, can ensure that children are at the centre of agendas for development.
By building on ongoing initiatives, such as child-friendly communities and cities
without slums, mayors and local leaders can improve significantly the lives of
children.
4. Parliamentarians or members of legislatures are key to the implementation of the
present Plan of Action, the success of which will require that they promote
awareness-raising, adopt necessary legislation, facilitate and appropriate the
financial resources needed for this purpose, and monitor their effective utilization.
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5. Non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations will be

supported in their work and mechanisms should be established, where
appropriate, to facilitate the participation of civil society in matters relating to
children. Civil society actors have a special role to play in promoting and
supporting positive behaviour and creating an environment that is conducive to
the well-being of children.
6. The private sector and corporate entities have a special contribution to make, from
adopting and adhering to practices that demonstrate social responsibility to
providing resources, including innovative sources of financing and community
improvement schemes that benefit children, such as micro-credits.
7. Religious, spiritual, cultural and indigenous leaders, with their tremendous
outreach, have a key role as front-line actors for children to help to translate the
goals and targets of the present Plan of Action into priorities for their
communities and to mobilize and inspire people to take action in favour of
children.
8. The mass media and their organizations have a key role to play in raising
awareness about the situation of children and the challenges facing them. They
should also play a more active role in informing children, parents, families and
the general public about initiatives that protect and promote the rights of children,
and should also contribute to educational programmes for children. In this regard,
the media should be attentive to their influence on children.
9. Regional and international organizations, in particular all United Nations bodies,
as well as the Bretton Woods institutions and other multilateral agencies, should
be encouraged to collaborate and play a key role in accelerating and achieving
progress for children.
10. People who work directly with children have great responsibilities. It is important
to enhance their status, morale and professionalism.
B. Goals, strategies and actions
33. Since the World Summit for Children, many goals and targets relevant to children
have been endorsed by major United Nations summits and conferences and their review
processes. We strongly reaffirm our commitment to achieve these goals and targets, and
to offer this and future generations of children the opportunities denied to their parents.
As a step towards building a strong foundation for attaining the 2015 international
development targets and Millennium Summit goals, we resolve to achieve the unmet
goals and objectives as well as a consistent set of intermediate targets and benchmarks
during the course of this decade (2000–2010) in the following priority areas of action.
34. Taking into account the best interests of the child, we commit ourselves to implement
the following goals, strategies and actions with appropriate adaptations to the specific
situation of each country and the diverse situations and circumstances in different regions
and countries throughout the world.
1. Promoting healthy lives

35. Owing to poverty and lack of access to basic social services, more than 10 million
children under five years of age, nearly half of them in their neonatal period, die every
year of preventable diseases and malnutrition. Complications related to pregnancy and
childbirth and maternal anaemia and malnutrition kill more than half a million women
and adolescents each year, and injure and disable many more. More than one billion
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people cannot obtain safe drinking water, 150 million children under five years of age are
malnourished, and more than two billion people lack access to adequate sanitation.
36. We are determined to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and poor
health by providing a safe and healthy start in life for all children; providing access to
effective, equitable, sustained and sustainable primary health-care systems in all
communities, ensuring access to information and referral services; providing adequate
water and sanitation services; and promoting a healthy lifestyle among children and
adolescents. Accordingly, we resolve to achieve the following goals in conformity with
the outcomes of recent United Nations conferences, summits and special sessions of the
General Assembly, as reflected in their respective reports:
(a) Reduction in the infant and under-five mortality rate by at least one third, in
pursuit of the goal of reducing it by two thirds by 2015;
(b) Reduction in the maternal mortality ratio by at least one third, in pursuit of the
goal of reducing it by three quarters by 2015;
(c) Reduction of child malnutrition among children under five years of age by at least
one third, with special attention to children under two years of age, and reduction
in the rate of low birth weight by at least one third of the current rate;
(d) Reduction in the proportion of households without access to hygienic sanitation
facilities and affordable and safe drinking water by at least one third;
(e) Development and implementation of national early childhood development
policies and programmes to ensure the enhancement of children’s physical, social,
emotional, spiritual and cognitive development;
(f) Development and implementation of national health policies and programmes for
adolescents, including goals and indicators, to promote their physical and mental
health;
(g) Access through the primary health-care system to reproductive health for all
individuals of appropriate age as soon as possible, and no later than 2015.
37. To achieve these goals and targets, taking into account the best interests of the child,
consistent with national laws, religious and ethical values and cultural backgrounds of the
people, and in conformity with all human rights and fundamental freedoms, we will carry
out the following strategies and actions:
1. Ensure that the reduction of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality
is a health sector priority and that women, in particular adolescent
expectant mothers, have ready and affordable access to essential obstetric
care, well-equipped and adequately staffed maternal health-care services,
skilled attendance at delivery, emergency obstetric care, effective referral
and transport to higher levels of care when necessary, post-partum care
and family planning in order, inter alia, to promote safe motherhood.
2. Provide access to appropriate, user-friendly and high-quality health-care
services, education and information to all children.
3. Address effectively, for all individuals of appropriate age, the promotion
of their healthy lives, including their reproductive and sexual health,
consistent with the commitments and outcomes of recent United Nations
conferences and summits, including the World Summit for Children, the
United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the
International Conference on Population and Development, the World
Summit for Social Development and the Fourth World Conference on
Women, their five-year reviews and reports.
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4. Promote child health and survival and reduce disparities between and
within developed and developing countries as quickly as possible, with
particular attention to eliminating the pattern of excess and preventable
mortality among girl infants and children.
5. Protect, promote and support exclusive breastfeeding of infants for six
months and continued breastfeeding with safe, appropriate and adequate
complementary feeding up to two years of age or beyond. Provide infant-
feeding counseling for mothers living with HIV/AIDS so that they can
make free and informed choices.
6. Special emphasis must be placed on prenatal and post-natal care, essential
obstetric care and care for newborns, particularly for those living in areas
without access to services.
7. Ensure full immunization of children under one year of age, at 90 per cent
coverage nationally, with at least 80 per cent coverage in every district or
equivalent administrative unit; reduce deaths due to measles by half by
2005; eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus by 2005; and extend the
benefits of new and improved vaccines and other preventive health
interventions to children in all countries.
8. Certify by 2005 the global eradication of poliomyelitis.
9. Eradicate guinea worm disease.
10. Strengthen early childhood development by providing appropriate services
and support to parents, including parents with disabilities, families, legal
guardians and caregivers, especially during pregnancy, birth, infancy and
early childhood, so as to ensure children’s physical, psychological, social,
spiritual and cognitive development.
11. Intensify proven, cost-effective actions against diseases and malnutrition
that are the major causes of child mortality and morbidity, including
reducing by one third deaths due to acute respiratory infections; reducing
by one half deaths due to diarrhoea among children under the age of five;
reducing by one half tuberculosis deaths and prevalence; and reducing the
incidence of intestinal parasites, cholera, sexually transmitted infections,
HIV/AIDS and all forms of hepatitis, and ensure that effective measures
are affordable and accessible, particularly in highly marginalized areas or
populations.
12. Reduce by one half the burden of disease associated with malaria and
ensure that 60 per cent of all people at risk of malaria, especially children
and women, sleep under insecticide-treated bednets.
13. Improve the nutrition of mothers and children, including adolescents,
through household food security, access to basic social services and
adequate caring practices.
14. Support populations and countries suffering from severe food shortages
and famine.
15. Strengthen health and education systems and expand social security
systems to increase access to integrated and effective health, nutrition and
childcare in families, communities, schools and primary health-care
facilities, including prompt attention to marginalized boys and girls.
16. Reduce child injuries due to accidents or other causes through the
development and implementation of appropriate preventive measures.
17. Ensure effective access by children with disabilities and children with
special needs to integrated services, including rehabilitation and health
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care, and promote family-based care and appropriate support systems for
parents, families, legal guardians and caregivers of these children.
18. Provide special help to children suffering from mental illnesses or
psychological disorders.
19. Promote physical, mental and emotional health among children,
includingbadolescents, through play, sports, recreation, artistic and
cultural expression.
20. Develop and implement policies and programmes for children, including
adolescents, aimed at preventing the use of narcotic drugs, psychotropic
substances and inhalants, except for medical purposes, and at reducing the
adverse consequences of their abuse, as well as support preventive policies
and programmes, especially against tobacco and alcohol.
21. Develop policies and programmes aimed at children, including
adolescents, for the reduction of violence and suicide.
22. Achieve sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disorders by 2005
and vitamin A deficiency by 2010; reduce by one third the prevalence of
anaemia, including iron deficiency, by 2010; and accelerate progress
towards reduction of other micronutrient deficiencies, through dietary
diversification, food fortification and supplementation.
23. In efforts to ensure universal access to safe water and adequate sanitation
facilities, pay greater attention to building family and community capacity
for managing existing systems and promoting behavioural change through
health and hygiene education, including in the school curriculum.
24. Address any disparities in health and access to basic social services,
including health-care services for indigenous children and children
belonging to minorities.
25. Develop legislation policies and programmes, as appropriate, at the
national level and enhance international cooperation to prevent, inter alia,
the exposure of children to harmful environmental contaminants in the air,
water, soil and food.
2. Providing quality education
38. Education is a human right and a key factor to reducing poverty and child labour and
promoting democracy, peace, tolerance and development. Yet more than 100 million
children of primary school age, the majority of them girls, are not enrolled in school.
Millions more are taught by untrained and underpaid teachers in overcrowded, unhealthy
and poorly equipped classrooms. And one third of all children do not complete five years
of schooling, the minimum required for basic literacy.
39. As agreed at the World Education Forum in Dakar,10 which reconfirmed the
mandated role of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in
coordinating “Education For All” partners and maintaining their collective momentum
within the process of securing basic education, we will accord high priority to ensuring
by 2015 that all children have access to and complete primary education that is free,
compulsory and of good quality. We will also aim at the progressive provision of
secondary education. As a step towards these goals, we resolve to achieve the following
targets:
(a) Expand and improve comprehensive early childhood care and education, for girls
and boys, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children;
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(b) Reduce the number of primary school-age children who are out of school by 50
per cent and increase net primary school enrolment or participation in alternative,
good quality primary education programmes to at least 90 per cent by 2010;
(c) Eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005; and
(a) achieve gender equality in education by 2015, with a focus on ensuring girls’ full
and equal access to and achievement in basic education of good quality;
(d) Improve all aspects of the quality of education so that children and young people
achieve recognized and measurable learning outcomes, especially in innumeracy,
literacy and essential life skills;
(e) Ensure that the learning needs of all young people are met through access to
appropriate learning and life skills programmes;
(f) Achieve a 50 per cent improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015, especially
for women.
40. To achieve these goals and targets, we will implement the following strategies and
actions:
1. Develop and implement special strategies to ensure that schooling is
readily accessible to all children and adolescents, and that basic education
is affordable for all families.
2. Promote innovative programmes that encourage schools and communities
to search more actively for children who have dropped out or are excluded
from school and from learning, especially girls and working children,
children with special needs and children with disabilities, and help them to
enrol in and attend schools, and successfully complete their education,
involving Governments as well as families, communities and non-
governmental organizations as partners in the educational process. Special
measures should be put in place to prevent and reduce dropout due to,
inter alia, entry into employment.
3. Bridge the divide between formal and non-formal education, taking into
account the need to ensure good quality in terms of educational services,
including the competence of providers, and acknowledging that non-
formal education and alternative approaches provide beneficial
experiences. In addition, develop complementarity between the two
delivery systems.
4. Ensure that all basic education programmes are accessible, inclusive and
responsive to children with special learning needs and for children with
various forms of disabilities.
5. Ensure that indigenous children and children belonging to minorities have
access to quality education on the same basis as other children. Efforts
must be directed to providing this education in a manner that respects their
heritage. Efforts must also be directed to providing educational
opportunities so that indigenous children and children belonging to
minorities can develop an understanding of and sustain their cultural
identity, including significant aspects such as language and values.
6. Develop and implement special strategies for improving the quality of
education and meeting the learning needs of all.
7. Create, with children, a child-friendly learning environment, in which they
feel safe, are protected from abuse, violence and discrimination, and are
healthy and encouraged to learn. Ensure that education programmes and
materials reflect fully the promotion and protection of human rights and
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the values of peace, tolerance and gender equality, using every opportunity
presented by the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-
Violence for the Children of the World, 2001–2010.
8. Strengthen early childhood care and education by providing services,
developing and supporting programmes directed toward families, legal
guardians, caregivers and communities.
9. Provide education and training opportunities to adolescents to help them to
acquire sustainable livelihoods.
10. Design, where appropriate, and implement programmes that enable
pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers to continue to complete their
education.
11. Urge the continued development and implementation of programmes for
children, including adolescents, especially in schools, to prevent and
discourage the use of tobacco and alcohol and detect, counter and prevent
trafficking in and the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
except for medical purposes by, inter alia, promoting mass media
information campaigns on their harmful effects as well as the risk of
addiction, and taking necessary actions to deal with the root causes.
41. Promote innovative programmes to provide incentives to low-income families with

school-age children to increase the enrolment and attendance of girls and boys and to
ensure that they are not obliged to work in a way that interferes with their schooling.
42. Develop and implement programmes that specifically aim to eliminate gender
disparities in enrolment and gender-based bias and stereotypes in education systems,
curricula and materials, whether derived from any discriminatory practices, social or
cultural attitudes or legal and economic circumstances.
43. Enhance the status, morale, training and professionalism of teachers, including early
childhood educators, ensuring appropriate remuneration for their work and opportunities
and incentives for their development.
44. Develop responsive, participatory and accountable systems of educational governance

and management at the school, community and national levels.
45. Meet the specific learning needs of children affected by crises, by ensuring that
education is provided during and after crises, and conduct education programmes to
promote a culture of peace in ways that help to prevent violence and conflict and promote
the rehabilitation of victims.
46. Provide accessible recreational and sports opportunities and facilities at schools and
in communities.
47. Harness the rapidly evolving information and communication technologies to support
education at an affordable cost, including open and distance education, while reducing
inequality in access and quality.
48. Develop strategies to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on education systems and
schools, students and learning.
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3. Protecting against abuse, exploitation and violence
49. Hundreds of millions of children are suffering and dying from war, violence,
exploitation, neglect and all forms of abuse and discrimination. Around the world,
children live under especially difficult circumstances – permanently disabled or seriously
injured by armed conflict; internally displaced or driven from their countries as refugees;
suffering from natural and man-made disasters, including such perils as exposure to
radiation and dangerous chemicals; as children of migrant workers and other socially
disadvantaged groups; as victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance. Trafficking, smuggling, physical and sexual exploitation and abduction, as
well as the economic exploitation of children, even in its worst forms, are daily realities
for children in all regions of the world, while domestic violence and sexual violence
against women and children remain serious problems. In several countries, there have
been social and humanitarian impacts from economic sanctions on the civilian
population, in particular women and children.
50. In some countries, the situation of children is adversely affected by unilateral

measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations
that create obstacles to trade relations among States, impede the full realization of social
and economic development and hinder the well-being of the population in the affected
countries, with particular consequences for women and children, including adolescents.
51. Children have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation
and violence. Societies must eliminate all forms of violence against children.
Accordingly, we resolve to:
(a) Protect children from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence;
(b) Protect children from the impact of armed conflict and ensure compliance with
international humanitarian law and human rights law;
(c) Protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation, including paedophilia,
trafficking and abduction;
(d) Take immediate and effective measures to eliminate the worst forms of child
labour as defined in International Labour Organization Convention No. 182, and
elaborate and implement strategies for the elimination of child labour that is
contrary to accepted international standards;
(e) Improve the plight of millions of children who live under especially difficult
circumstances.
52. To achieve these goals, we will implement the following strategies and actions:
General protection
1. Develop systems to ensure the registration of every child at or shortly after birth, and
fulfil his or her right to acquire a name and a nationality, in accordance with national
laws and relevant international instruments.
2. Encourage all countries to adopt and enforce laws, and improve the implementation of
policies and programmes to protect children from all forms of violence, neglect, abuse
and exploitation, whether at home, in school or other institutions, in the workplace, or in
the community.
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3. Adopt special measures to eliminate discrimination against children on the basis of

race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social
origin, property, disability, birth or other status, and ensure their equal access to
education, health and basic social services.
4. End impunity for all crimes against children by bringing perpetrators to justice and
publicizing the penalties for such crimes.
5. Take steps with a view to the avoidance of and refrain from any unilateral measure not
in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations that impedes
the full achievement of economic and social development by the population of the
affected countries, in particular children and women, that hinders their well-being and
that creates obstacles to the full enjoyment of their human rights, including the right of
everyone to a standard of living adequate for their health and well-being and their right to
food, medical care and the necessary social services. Ensure that food and medicine are
not used as tools for political pressure.
6. Raise awareness about the illegality and harmful consequences of failing to protect
children from violence, abuse and exploitation.
7. Promote the establishment of prevention, support and caring services as well as justice
systems specifically applicable to children, taking into account the principles of
restorative justice and fully safeguard children’s rights and provide specially trained staff
to promote children’s reintegration in society.
8. Protect children from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment. Call upon the Governments of all States, in particular States in which the
death penalty has not been abolished, to comply with the obligations they have assumed
under relevant provisions of international human rights instruments, including in
particular articles 37 and 40 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and articles 6
and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.11
9. End harmful traditional or customary practices, such as early and forced marriage and
female genital mutilation, which violate the rights of children and women.
10. Establish mechanisms to provide special protection and assistance to children without
primary caregivers.
11. Adopt and implement policies for the prevention, protection, rehabilitation and
reintegration, as appropriate, of children living in disadvantaged social situations and
who are at risk, including orphans, abandoned children, children of migrant workers,
children working and/or living on the street and children living in extreme poverty, and
ensure their access to education, health, and social services as appropriate.
12. Protect children from adoption and foster care practices that are illegal, exploitative
or that are not in their best interest.
13. Address cases of international kidnapping of children by one of the parents.
14. Combat and prevent the use of children, including adolescents, in the illicit
production of and trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
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15. Promote comprehensive programmes to counter the use of children, including

adolescents, in the production of and trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances.
16. Make appropriate treatment and rehabilitation accessible for children, including
adolescents, dependent on narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, inhalants and alcohol.
17. Provide protection and assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons, the
majority of whom are women and children, in accordance with international law,
including international humanitarian law.
18. Ensure that children affected by natural disasters receive timely and effective
humanitarian assistance through a commitment to improved contingency planning and
emergency preparedness, and that they are given all possible assistance and protection to
help them to resume a normal life as soon as possible.
19. Encourage measures to protect children from violent or harmful web sites, computer
programmes and games that negatively influence the psychological development of
children, taking into account the responsibilities of the family, parents, legal guardians
and caregivers.
Protection from armed conflict
20. Strengthen the protection of children affected by armed conflict and adopt effective
measures for the protection of children under foreign occupation.
21. Ensure that issues pertaining to the rights and protection of children are fully and
peace-building programmes; and involve children, where possible, in these processes.
22. End the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict contrary tointernational
law, ensure their demobilization and effective disarmament and implement effective
measures for their rehabilitation, physical and psychological recovery and reintegration
into society.
23. Put an end to impunity, prosecute those responsible for genocide, crimes against
humanity, and war crimes and exclude, where feasible, these crimes from amnesty
provisions and amnesty legislation, and ensure that whenever post-conflict truth and
reflected in the agendas of peacemaking processes and in ensuing peace agreements, and
are incorporated, as appropriate, into United Nations peacekeeping operations justice-
seeking mechanisms are established, serious abuses involving children are addressed and
that appropriate child-sensitive procedures are provided.
24. Take concrete action against all forms of terrorism, which causes serious obstacles to
the development and well-being of children.
25. Provide appropriate training and education in children’s rights and protection as well
as in international humanitarian law to all civilian, military and police personnel involved
in peacekeeping operations.
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26. Curb the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons and protect children from
landmines, unexploded ordnance and other war materiel that victimize them, and provide
assistance to victimized children during and after armed conflict.
27. Resolve to strengthen international cooperation, including burden-sharing in and

coordination of humanitarian assistance to countries hosting refugees, and to help all
refugees and displaced persons, including children and their families, to return
voluntarily to their homes in safety and dignity and to be smoothly reintegrated in their
societies.
28. Develop and implement policies and programmes, with necessary international
cooperation, for the protection, care and well-being of refugee children and children
seeking asylum and for the provision of basic social services, including access to
education, in addition to health care and food.
29. Give priority to programmes for family tracing and reunification, and continue to
monitor the care arrangements for unaccompanied and/or separated refugee and internally
displaced children.
30. Assess and monitor regularly the impact of sanctions on children and take urgent and
effective measures in accordance with international law with a view to alleviating the
negative impact of economic sanctions on women and children.
31. Take all necessary measures to protect children from being taken as hostages.
32. Develop specific strategies to protect and provide for the special needs and particular
vulnerabilities of girls affected by armed conflict.
Combating child labour
33. Take immediate and effective measures to secure the prohibition and elimination of
the worst forms of child labour as a matter of urgency. Provide for the rehabilitation and
social integration of children removed from the worst forms of child labour by, inter alia,
ensuring access to free basic education and, whenever possible and appropriate,
vocational training.
34. Take appropriate steps to assist one another in the elimination of the worst forms of
child labour through enhanced international cooperation and/or assistance, including
support for social and economic development, poverty eradication programmes and
universal education.
35. Elaborate and implement strategies to protect children from economic exploitation
and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the
child’s education or to be harmful to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual,
moral or social development.
36. In this context, protect children from all forms of economic exploitation by
mobilizing national partnerships and international cooperation, and improve the
conditions of children by, inter alia, providing working children with free basic education
and vocational training, and integration into the education system in every way possible,
149
and encourage support for social and economic policies aimed at poverty eradication and
at providing families, particularly women, with employment and income-generating
opportunities.
37. Promote international cooperation to assist developing countries upon request in

addressing child labour and its root causes, inter alia, through social and economic
policies aimed at poverty eradication, while stressing that labour standards should not be
used for protectionist trade purposes.
38. Strengthen the collection and analysis of data on child labour.
39. Mainstream action relating to child labour into national poverty eradication and
development efforts, especially in policies and programmes in the areas of health,
education, employment and social protection.
Elimination of trafficking and sexual exploitation of children
40. Take concerted national and international action as a matter of urgency to end the sale
of children and their organs, sexual exploitation and abuse, including the use of children
for pornography, prostitution and paedophilia, and to combat existing markets.
41. Raise awareness of the illegality and harmful consequences of sexual exploitation and
abuse, including through the Internet, and trafficking in children.
42. Enlist the support of the private sector, including the tourism industry and the media,
for a campaign against sexual exploitation of and trafficking in children.
43. Identify and address the underlying causes and the root factors, including external
factors, leading to sexual exploitation of and trafficking in children and implement
preventive strategies against sexual exploitation of and trafficking in children.
44. Ensure the safety, protection and security of victims of trafficking and sexual
exploitation and provide assistance and services to facilitate their recovery and social
reintegration.
45. Take necessary action, at all levels, as appropriate, to criminalize and penalize
effectively, in conformity with all relevant and applicable international instruments, all
forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, including within the family or
for commercial purposes, child prostitution, paedophilia, child pornography, child sex
tourism, trafficking, the sale of children and their organs, engagement in forced child
labour and any other form of exploitation, while ensuring that, in the treatment by the
criminal justice system of children who are victims, the best interests of the child shall be
a primary consideration.
46. Monitor and share information regionally and internationally on the cross-border
trafficking of children; strengthen the capacity of border and law enforcement officials to
stop trafficking and provide or strengthen training for them to respect the dignity, human
rights and fundamental freedoms of all those, particularly women and children, who are
victims of trafficking.
150
47. Take necessary measures, including through enhanced cooperation between

Governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector and non-governmental
organizations to combat the criminal use of information technologies, including the
Internet, for purposes of the sale of children, for child prostitution, child pornography,
child sex tourism, paedophilia and other forms of violence and abuse against children and
adolescents.
4. Combating HIV/AIDS
48. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is having a devastating effect on children and those who
provide care for them. This includes the 13 million children orphaned by AIDS, the
nearly 600,000 infants infected every year through mother-to-child transmission and the
millions of HIV-positive young people living with the stigma of HIV but without access
to adequate counseling, care and support.
49. To combat the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS on children, we resolve to take

urgent and aggressive action as agreed at the special session of the General Assembly on
HIV/AIDS,12 and to place particular emphasis on the following agreed goals and
commitments:
(a) By 2003, establish time-bound national targets to achieve the internationally
agreed global prevention goal to reduce by 2005 HIV prevalence among young
men and women aged 15 to 24 in the most affected countries by 25 per cent and
by 25 per cent globally by 2010, and intensify efforts to achieve these targets as
well as to challenge gender stereotypes and attitudes, and gender inequalities in
relation to HIV/AIDS, encouraging the active involvement of men and boys;
(b) By 2005, reduce the proportion of infants infected with HIV by 20 per cent, and
by 50 per cent by 2010, by ensuring that 80 per cent of pregnant women accessing
antenatal care have information, counselling and other HIV-prevention services
available to them, increasing the availability of and providing access for HIV-
infected women and babies to effective treatment to reduce mother-to-child
transmission of HIV, as well as through effective interventions for HIV-infected
women, including voluntary and confidential counselling and testing, access to
treatment, especially anti-retroviral therapy and, where appropriate, breast-milk
substitutes and the provision of a continuum of care;
(c) By 2003, develop and by 2005 implement national policies and strategies to build
and strengthen governmental, family and community capacities to provide a
supportive environment for orphans and girls and boys infected and affected by
HIV/AIDS, including by providing appropriate counselling and psychosocial
support, ensuring their enrolment in school and access to shelter, good nutrition
and health and social services on an equal basis with other children; and protect
orphans and vulnerable children from all forms of abuse, violence, exploitation,
discrimination, trafficking and loss of inheritance.
50. To achieve these goals, we will implement the following strategies and actions:
1. By 2003, ensure the development and implementation of multisectoral
national strategies and financing plans for combating HIV/AIDS that
address the epidemic in forthright terms; confront stigma, silence and
denial; address gender and age-based dimensions of the epidemic;
eliminate discrimination and marginalization; involve partnerships with
civil society and the business sector and the full participation of people
151
living with HIV/AIDS, those in vulnerable groups and people mostly at

risk, particularly women and young people; are resourced to the extent
possible from national budgets without excluding other sources, inter alia,
international cooperation; promote and protect fully all human rights and
fundamental freedoms, including the right to the highest attainable
standard of physical and mental health; integrate a gender perspective;
address risk, vulnerability, prevention, care, treatment and support and
reduction of the impact of the epidemic; and strengthen health, education
and legal system capacity.
2. By 2005, ensure that at least 90 per cent, and by 2010 at least 95 per cent
of young men and women aged 15 to 24 have access to the information,
education, including peer education and youth-specific HIV education,
and services necessary to develop the life skills required to reduce their
vulnerability to HIV infection, in full partnership with young people,
parents, families, educators and health-care providers.
3. By 2005, develop and make significant progress in implementing
comprehensive care strategies to: strengthen family and community-based
care, including that provided by the informal sector, and health-care
systems to provide and monitor treatment to people living with
HIV/AIDS, including infected children, and to support individuals,
households, families and communities affected by HIV/AIDS; and
improve the capacity and working conditions of health-care personnel, and
the effectiveness of supply systems, financing plans and referral
mechanisms required to provide access to affordable medicines, including
anti-retroviral drugs, diagnostics and related technologies, as well as
quality medical, palliative and psychosocial care.
4. By 2005, implement measures to increase capacities of women and
adolescent girls to protect themselves from the risk of HIV infection,
principally through them provision of health care and health services,
including for sexual and reproductive health, and through prevention
education that promotes gender equality within a culturally and gender-
sensitive framework.
5. By 2003, develop and/or strengthen strategies, policies and programmes
which recognize the importance of the family in reducing vulnerability,
inter alia, in educating and guiding children and take account of cultural,
religious and ethical factors, to reduce the vulnerability of children and
young people by ensuring access of both girls and boys to primary and
secondary education, including HIV/AIDS in curricula for adolescents;
ensuring safe and secure environments, especially for young girls;
expanding good-quality, youth-friendly information and sexual health
education and counselling services; strengthening reproductive and sexual
health programmes; and involving families and young people in planning,
implementing and evaluating HIV/AIDS prevention and care programmes,
to the extent possible.
6. By 2003, develop and begin to implement national strategies that
incorporate HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, care and treatment
elements into programmes or actions that respond to emergency situations,
recognizing that populations destabilized by armed conflict, humanitarian
emergencies and natural disasters, including refugees, internally displaced
persons, and in particular women and children, are at increased risk of
152
exposure to HIV infection; and, where appropriate, factor HIV/AIDS

components into international assistance programmes.
7. Ensure non-discrimination and full and equal enjoyment of all human
rights through the promotion of an active and visible policy of de-
stigmatization of children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.
8. Urge the international community to complement and supplement efforts
of developing countries that commit increased national funds to fight the
HIV/AIDS epidemic through increased international development
assistance, particularly those countries most affected by HIV/AIDS,
particularly in Africa, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean,
countries at high risk of expansion of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and other
affected regions whose resources to deal with the epidemic are seriously
limited
C. Mobilizing resources
51. Promoting healthy lives, including good nutrition and control of infectious diseases,
providing quality education, protecting children from abuse, exploitation, violence and
armed conflict and combating HIV/AIDS are achievable goals and are clearly affordable
for the global community.
52. The primary responsibility for the implementation of the present Plan of Action and
for ensuring an enabling environment for securing the well-being of children, in which
the rights of each and every child are promoted and respected, rests with each individual
country, recognizing that new and additional resources, both national and international,
are required for this purpose.
53. Investments in children are extraordinarily productive if they are sustained over the
medium to long term. Investing in children and respecting their rights lays the foundation
for a just society, a strong economy, and a world free of poverty.
54. Implementation of the present Plan of Action will require the allocation of significant
additional human, financial and material resources, nationally and internationally, within
the framework of an enabling international environment and enhanced international
cooperation, including North-South and South-South cooperation, to contribute to
economic and social development.
55. Accordingly, we resolve to pursue, among others, the following global targets and
actions for mobilizing resources for children:
(a) Express our appreciation to the developed countries that have agreed to and have
reached the target of 0.7 per cent of their gross national product for overall
official development assistance, and urge the developed countries that have not
done so to strive to meet the yet to be attained internationally agreed target of 0.7
per cent of their gross national product for overall official development assistance
as soon as possible. We take it upon ourselves not to spare any efforts to reverse
the declining trends of official development assistance and to meet expeditiously
the targets of 0.15 per cent to 0.20 per cent of gross national product as official
development assistance to least developed countries, as agreed, taking into
account the urgency and gravity of the special needs of children;
153
(b) Without further delay, implement the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
Initiative and agree to cancel all bilateral official debts of heavily indebted poor
countries as soon as possible, in return for demonstrable commitments by them to
poverty eradication, and urge the use of debt service savings to finance poverty
eradication programmes, in particular those related to children;
(c) Call for speedy and concerted action to address effectively the debt problems of
least developed countries, low-income developing countries and middle-income
developing countries in a comprehensive, equitable, development-oriented and
durable way through various national and international measures designed to
make their debt sustainable in the long term and thereby to improve their capacity
to deal with issues relating to children, including, as appropriate, existing orderly
mechanisms for debt reduction such as debt swaps for projects aimed at meeting
the needs of children;
(d) Increase and improve access of products and services of developing countries to
international markets through, inter alia, the negotiated reduction of tariff barriers
and the elimination of non-tariff barriers, which unjustifiably hinder trade of
developing countries, according to the multilateral trading system;
(e) Believing that increased trade is essential for the growth and development of
LDCs, aim at improving preferential market access for LDCs by working towards
the objective of duty-free and quota-free market access for all LDCs’ products in
the markets of developed countries;
(f) Mobilize new and substantial additional resources for social development, both at
national and international level, to reduce disparities within and among countries,
and ensure the effective and efficient use of existing resources. Further, ensure to
the greatest possible extent, that social expenditures that benefit children are
protected and prioritized during both short-term and long-term economic and
financial crises;
(g) Explore new ways of generating public and private financial resources, inter alia,
through the reduction of excessive military expenditures and the arms trade and
investment in arms production and acquisition, including global military
expenditures, taking into consideration national security requirements;
(h) Encourage donor and recipient countries, based on mutual agreement and
commitment, to implement fully the 20/20 initiative, in line with the Oslo and
Hanoi Consensus documents,13 to ensure universal access to basic social
services.
56. We will give priority attention to meeting the needs of the world’s most vulnerable
children in developing countries, in particular in least developed countries and sub-
Saharan Africa.
57. We will also give special attention to the needs of children in small island developing
States, landlocked and transit developing countries and other developing countries, as
well as countries with economies in transition.
58. We will promote technical cooperation between countries in order to share positive
experience and strategies in the implementation of the present Plan of Action.
59. Meeting our goals and aspirations for children merits new partnerships with civil
society, including with non-governmental organizations and the private sector, and
innovative arrangements for mobilizing additional resources, both private and public.
154
60. Bearing in mind that corporations must abide by national legislation, we encourage
corporate social responsibility so that it contributes to social development goals and the
well-being of children, inter alia, by:
1. Promoting increased corporate awareness of the interrelationship between
social development and economic growth.
2. Providing a legal, economic and social policy framework that is just and
stable to support and stimulate private sector initiatives aimed at
achieving these goals.
3. Enhancing partnerships with business, trade unions and civil society at the
national level in support of the goals of the Plan of Action. We urge the
private sector to assess the impact of its policies and practices on children
and to make the benefits of research and development in science, medical
technology, health, food fortification, environmental protection, education
and mass communication available to all children, particularly to those in
greatest need.
61. We resolve to ensure greater policy coherence and better cooperation between the
.United Nations, its agencies, and the Bretton Woods institutions, as well as other
multilateral bodies and civil society, with a view to achieving the goals of the present
Plan of Action.
D. Follow-up actions and assessment
62. To facilitate the implementation of actions committed to in this document, we will

develop or strengthen as a matter of urgency, if possible by the end of 2003, national and,
where appropriate, regional action plans with a set of specific time-bound and measurable
goals and targets based on the present Plan of Action, taking into account the best
interests of the child, consistent with national laws, religious and ethical values and
cultural backgrounds of the people and in conformity with all human rights and
fundamental freedoms. We will therefore strengthen our national planning and ensure the
necessary coordination, implementation and resources. We will integrate the goals of the
present Plan of Action into our national Government policies as well as national and
subnational development programmes, poverty eradication strategies, multisectoral
approaches and other relevant development plans, in cooperation with relevant civil
society actors, including non-governmental organizations working for and with children,
as well as children, in accordance with their age and maturity, and their families.
63. We will monitor regularly at the national level and, where appropriate, at the regional
level and assess progress towards the goals and targets of the present Plan of Action at
the national, regional and global levels. Accordingly, we will strengthen our national
statistical capacity to collect, analyse and disaggregate data, including by sex, age and
other relevant factors that may lead to disparities, and support a wide range of child-
focused research. We will enhance international cooperation to support statistical
capacity-building efforts and build community capacity for monitoring, assessment and
planning.
64. We will conduct periodic reviews at the national and subnational levels of progress in
order to address obstacles more effectively and accelerate actions. At the regional level,
155
such reviews will be used to share best practices, strengthen partnerships and accelerate
progress. Therefore:
(a) We encourage States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child to
consider including in their reports to the Committee on the Rights of the Child
information on measures taken and results achieved in the implementation of the
present Plan of Action;
(b) As the world’s lead agency for children, the United Nations Children’s Fund is
requested to continue to prepare and disseminate, in close collaboration with
Governments, relevant funds, programmes and the specialized agencies of the
United Nations system, and all other relevant actors, as appropriate, information
on the progress made in the implementation of the Declaration and the Plan of
Action. The governing bodies of the relevant specialized agencies are requested
to ensure that, within their mandates, the fullest possible support is given by these
agencies for the achievement of the goals outlined in the Plan of Action and to
keep the General Assembly of the United Nations, through the Economic and
Social Council, fully informed of progress to date and additional action required
during the decade ahead, using existing reporting frameworks and procedures;
(c) We request the Secretary-General to report regularly to the General Assembly on
the progress made in implementing the present Plan of Action.
65. We hereby recommit ourselves to spare no effort in continuing with the creation of a
world fit for children, building on the achievements of the past decade and guided by the
principles of first call for children. In solidarity with a broad range of partners, we will
lead a global movement for children that create an unstoppable momentum for change.
We make this solemn pledge secure in the knowledge that, in giving high priority to the
rights of children, to their survival and to their protection and development, we serve the
best interests of all humanity and ensure the well-being of all children in all societies.
156
ANNEXURE V
STOCKHOLM DECLARATION AND AGENDA FOR ACTION
12-15 May, 2003
DECLARATION:
122 Countries gathered in Stockholm during 12-15 May, 2003 for the World Congress
against CSEC representing Governments, NGO’s, ECPAT, UNICEF and other relevant
agencies worldwide.
THE CHALLENGE:
 Every day more and more children are being exploited. The best interests
of the child shall be a primary consideration in all actions concerning
children. CSEC is a fundamental violation of children’s rights.
 A range of other complex contributing factors include economic
disparities, inequitable socio-economic structures, dysfunctioning families,
lack of education, urban-rural migration, gender discrimination,
irresponsible male sexual behavior and armed conflict and trafficking of
children.
 Criminals and criminal network and inadequate laws. Sexual transmitted
diseases like HIV / AIDS.
THE COMMITMENT:
The World Congress reiterates its commitment to the Rights of the Child, bearing in mind
the CRC and calls upon all States in cooperation with national and international
organizations and civil society.
 High priority to action against commercial sexual exploitation of children

(CSEC).
 Promote stronger cooperation among states for prevention.
 Review and Revise where appropriate Laws, policies, programs and their
enforcement to eliminate CSEC.
 Promote adoption, implementation, and dissemination of laws, policies,
programs, development and implement gender sensitive plans to prevent
CSEC.
 Awareness, mobilization and enhance participation of private and public
partners for prevention and elimination of CSEC.
AGENDA FOR ACTION:
The Agenda for Action aims to highlight existing international commitments, to identify
priorities for action and to assist in the implementation of relevant international
instruments. It recalls for action from States, all sectors of society, and national, regional,
and international organizations against the CSEC:
157
 Coordination, interaction and promote better cooperation at Local,

National, Regional and international level between States and NGO’s to
plan, implement and evaluate measures against CSEC.
 Ensure access to services like health, formal and non-formal education and
initiation of gender sensitive communication strategies and awareness
campaign with special attention to prevent from family abuse and harmful
traditional practices towards CSEC.
 Initiation and revision of laws to protect from CSEC and develop
mechanism for monitoring and rehabilitation of children forced and
involved in CSEC.
 Identify and encourage the establishment of national and international
networks and coalitions among the civil society to protect the children
from CSEC.
 For recovery and reintegration provide social, medical and psychological
counseling and other support to child victims of commercial sexual
exploitation and their families particularly suffering with sexually
transmitted diseases.
 Ensure children participation for establishment and support network of
young people as advocates of children to get their views, opinion to take
action to prevent and protect from CSEC.
158

National Plan of Action For Children

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DRAFT NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION FOR CHILDREN -- 2005

National Commission for Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD)

MICS Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey

UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

List of Abbreviation ................................................................................................. ii-iv

Background ............................................................................................................... 1-3

Introduction ............................................................................................................... 4-6

Situation analysis – State of Children ................................................................... 7-38

Plan of Action ........................................................................................................ 39-96

A. Promoting Healthy Lives ............................................................................ 39

National Plan of Action for Children ................................................................ 97-104

Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms........................................................ 105-106

Annexures .......................................................................................................... 113-158

1. National Child Policy.................................................................................. 107

3. Introductory orientation on children issues of all district Governments, elected

On December 28 and 29 2004 the Government organized a consultation of stake holders

o Put children first

The NPA works in close collaboration with governmental and non-governmental

Situation Analysis – The State of Children

Table 1: Important Health Indicators:

Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 82 per 1000 live births

Source: Pakistan Economic Survey 2003-04

Table 2: Public Sector Expenditure on Health and Population Welfare

Public Sector 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-4

Health Care Programs

1. Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)

3. National Program for Family Planning and Primary Health Care

Health Services in Pakistan

Table 3: Coverage of EPI

Polio Eradication in Pakistan

Introduction of Hepatitis B Vaccination

Food and Nutrition

Table 4 shows the different indicators reflecting malnutrition conditions in Pakistan

Table 4: Prevalence of Malnutrition in Pakistan

Table 5: Percentage of Breastfed Children 2000:

Diarrhea incidence and Oral Rehydration therapy

1. Development of simplified and specific treatment protocols

Incidence of diarrhea is reported in table 6.

Table 6: Diarrhea Incidence and ORT use

Acute Respiratory Tract Infections

Population Welfare Program (PWP)

Table 7: Contraceptive Prevalence and Fertility Rate in Pakistan:

Major activities undertaken under the head of population welfare are:

Budget Allocation for Population Welfare Programme

Table 8: Comparison of Budget Provision for Population Welfare

Expansion of the Tuberculosis Control Program:

National Malaria Control Program/Roll Back Malaria

Women Health Project

Tawana Pakistan Program

DRINKING WATER AND SAFE SANITATION

Table 9: Proportion of population having access to safe drinking water

Table 10: Percentage of population having access to hygiene means of sanitation

Table 11: AIDS Cases in Children in Pakistan

Table 12: Distribution of HIV Positive cases in Children in Pakistan

Measures Taken by the Government to Combat AIDS

Table 13: Education Sector Indicators

 The 1998-2010 National Education Policy.

National Education Policy – 1998-2010:

 A monitoring system shall be developed to obtain timely and reliable

Education Sector Reforms (ESR)

Education Sector Reform Targets for each Sub-Sector from

The target of increase in literacy will be achieved by opening of Literacy Centres,

The ESR Action Plan includes the following innovative programmes;