10 DEC 2020, LAHORE: The Lahore Education and Research Network (LEARN) and FACES Pakistan have released a joint-study on Institutional Reforms and Holistic Policy Recommendations for Child Protection in Educational Settings in connection with the Human Rights Day.

The study is jointly authored by Nida Usman Chaudhary and Elaine Alam and is based on consultative sessions with field experts including, Valerie Khan, Executive Director of Group Development Pakistan, Advocate Miqdad Syed Naqvi, Naveen F. Rizvi, Khadija Ali, Dr. Haiqa Nasir and students as well as on in-depth research of laws, policies and other resources to document the types of abuse and challenges faced by children in educational settings, its impact on their growth, learning and future contribution in society as well as on their personal and psychological development.

The study identifies the gaps in the existing structures for prevention of abuse and protection of children in and while accessing educational settings and calls for a participatory and holistic approach to develop a child protection framework and guidelines with all stakeholders on board at federal and at provincial level, as well as including participation of students, alumni, parents, schools, madrassahs and other informal educational settings. It also calls for transformation of authoritative school structures, to ones which are participatory so that a safe and accessible avenue can be developed for children to access in event of any challenges that they may be facing.

The study further highlights the importance of gender segregated budgets to ensure transparency and commitment of funds for girl child.

It can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/3lXF5M4