Islamabad:The Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights (PCCR) has called for stronger child protection and safeguarding mechanisms in schools, stressing that ensuring the safety, dignity and well-being of children is a shared national responsibility.
The call was made during a session titled 'Child Protection Is Everyone's Responsibility: Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse,' organised by the PCCR in collaboration with the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) and the Islamic Research Institute (IRI) at the Islamic Research Institute, Faisal Mosque, Islamabad.
The session was attended by Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik, PCCR Convenor and MNA Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan, MNAs Zeb Jaffar and Asiya Naz Tanoli, National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) Chairperson Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas and IRI Director General Dr. Muhammad Akram, along with school principals and other relevant stakeholders.
The caucus highlighted the crucial role of school administrations, teachers, parents and relevant institutions in creating safe and child-friendly learning environments. It noted that child abuse includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying and cyberbullying, which can adversely affect children's confidence, education and overall development.
The participants stressed that schools must provide safe spaces where children can report abuse or concerns without fear of blame, intimidation or stigma. They called for clear child protection policies, designated focal persons, confidential reporting mechanisms, staff training and effective referral procedures.
The caucus also emphasised age-appropriate awareness among children about personal boundaries, unsafe situations and trusted adults. School administrations were urged to regularly review safeguarding arrangements, strengthen staff accountability and improve coordination with parents, government institutions and child protection authorities.
The session further discussed early warning signs of abuse, prevention strategies, safe reporting and referral pathways, and school-level awareness campaigns for teachers, students and parents.
The PCCR reaffirmed its commitment to promoting dialogue among parliamentarians, educational authorities, civil society organisations and development partners to advance practical child protection measures. It appreciated the collaboration of SSDO and the Islamic Research Institute, stressing that every adult and institution interacting with children must ensure that they remain safe, heard, respected and protected from abuse.