introduction trafficking etc

1. Assignmentno:2 of
Sociology
Topic: What do you understand by childhood in
Pakistani society?
Submitted to:
Mam. Faiza Tufail
Submitted by:
Rameen Iqbal
Registration No:
L1F18BSBT0053
Section: B

2. Childhood in Pakistan Society
Introduction
This assignment is a spin-off of The State of Children in Pakistan and endeavors to give a
refreshed circumstance of youngster rights in Pakistan. It underlines the significant difficulties
and to some degree screens the level of progress made. The assignment is widely inclusive and
has secured the entire of Pakistan, the four regions Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa,
Baluchistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-
Baltistan. Pakistan is a youthful country of in excess of 184 million individuals with 69 percent
of its populace under 29 years old and 52 percent under 19 years old. A significant piece of
Pakistan's populace involves youngsters and ladies. This very actuality makes it basic for the
government to discuss the circumstance of kids in Pakistan.
Today Pakistan has two faces:
1. the promising Pakistan, where common governments are endeavoring to become kid
more amiable; and
2. the other Pakistan where circumstance on ground proceeds to present a bleak situation for
kids.
While every region and district in Pakistan faces its own one of a kind difficulties and
openings, there is significant discovering that can be picked up from great rehearses inside
nation. Entry of eighteenth Constitutional Amendment in 2010 has carried a few changes to
the Constitution that brought about the foundation and working of kid rights components at
provincial and nearby level. Areas have made significant strides by presenting approach and
lawful changes for youngster rights and kid insurance which is exceptionally positive for
sure. Be that as it may, the down to earth usage of enactment, including guaranteeing access
to youngster amicable equity, is as often as possible obliged by an absence of limit working
of experts working with and for youngsters also as under-resourcing of requirement
organizations. True endeavors are required for authorization of existing laws and approaches,
and to fit Pakistan's legitimate system with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
While some advancement has been made, numerous kids in Pakistan keep on experiencing
segregation, financial misuse, savagery and physical and sexual maltreatment. Kids are
survivors of inadmissible types of savagery on road, in correctional facilities and even in
schools too.
Quality medicinal services, instruction, insurance, interest and access to rights are not
similarly open to all youngsters. Social prohibition is brought about by a few components,
including financial differences, sexual orientation disparity, and contrasts among provincial
and urban territories. Indeed, even today, beyond words preventable sicknesses, for example,
intestinal sickness and the runs. Countless kids live in contemptible destitution with restricted
social assurance systems set up to help them. A few youngsters are 10 The State of Children
in Pakistan at higher hazard in Pakistan contrasting with others, for example, kids with

3. inabilities, youngsters without parental consideration and those living in regions influenced
by war and psychological oppression.
The current scope of projects and activities intended to ensure kids incorporate some great
models and practices. Be that as it may, numerous intercessions stay slender and are not
satisfactorily coordinated into a more extensive approach, program and administration
conveyance structure. Thinking about the high number of kids influenced by savagery every
year, the circumstance calls to organize and scale up existing undertakings and
projects.Tragically Pakistan keeps on being influenced by revolt and psychological
oppression, and by cataclysmic events as floods, quakes and dry seasons. These have
prompted far reaching uprooting, authoritative difficulties and budgetary ramifications for
government and commonplace governments.Confronting the present difficulties requires a
total difference in outlook among strategy creators, managers, improvement organizations
and individuals on the loose.
In view of that point, the proof introduced in this report additionally advances proposed
territories for development and needs for activity on which administrative and commonplace
governments should center so as to satisfy their vows to youngsters.
Population:
Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world and second largest Muslim country
with a projected population of 188 million in 2014 (1). Between 1950 and 2014, Pakistan's
urban population has expanded sevenfold, while the total population increased by over
fourfold. The population growth rate now stands at 1.95 per cent (2) which is higher than
average growth rate of South Asian countries (3). Pakistan has a multicultural and multi‐
ethnic society, and hosts some 1.6 million registered Afghans, the largest refugee population
in the world (4). The population of children in Pakistan in 2014 was estimated at 91.66
million, based on the Population Census of 1998, which estimated children’s population
under 18 years at 48.75 per cent.
Poverty in Pakistan

4. According to SDPI report, “Clustered Deprivation”, 58.7 million people in Pakistan are
living in multidimensional poverty with 46 per cent of rural population and 18 per cent of
urban households falling below the poverty line. The SDPI measures poverty on the basis of
five dimensions – education, health, water supply and sanitation, household assets/amenities
and satisfaction to service delivery. Further, a person taking less than 2,350 calories per day
and earning less than $1.25 per day according to the United Nations standard has also been
regarded as living below the poverty threshold. The report reveals that the highest incidence
of poverty prevails in Baluchistan with 52 per cent of the households living under the poverty
line, followed by 32 per cent, 33 per cent and 19 per cent respectively in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Punjab. In Punjab, higher incidence of poverty was observed in
southern districts. Wealth distribution in Pakistan is highly uneven, with the top 10% of the
population earning 27.6% and the bottom 10% earning only 4.1% of the income.
Child Poverty
As one of the most powerless groups in society, children often bear the physical and
emotional costs of poverty. Poverty experienced by children can affect the rest of their lives,
and is more often passed from generation to generation, affecting the long‐ term health,
well‐ being, and productivity of families as well as society as a whole. Lower levels of
education compel families to engage in labor-intensive, low paid jobs that generate
insufficient income to satisfy the needs of the family. The distress and poor health conditions
that result from the imbalance between household demands and parents’ ability to satisfy
those demands pushes children into work and a lifelong struggle to meet levels of even basic
subsistence, and robs them of their basic rights to education, development, good health, and
protection. Child and maternal health are, perhaps, the most significant index of social
development in a country and reflects the level of nutrition, education, and access to health
services. Although infant and neonatal mortality rates have decreased considerably
worldwide during the last couple of decades, the situation has not improved in Pakistan. One
in every 14 Pakistani children dies before reaching age 1, and 1 in every 11 children does not
survive to its fifth birthday.
Poor access to clean water and sanitation remains an impediment to further reducing child
mortality. The challenges to child protection as a result of poverty and inequality are more
difficult to overcome when they are compounded by social exclusion and discrimination.
Poverty also undermines support systems, whether these are the informal structures that
would normally provide mutual support among community members in hard times, or formal
structures such as economic safety nets and social services, especially where governments
lack the capacity and resources to make these measures effective. Children growing up in
poverty are less likely to access basic social services of quality or to benefit from
preventative initiatives or protection mechanisms. Tackling childhood poverty is, therefore,
critical for eradicating poverty and injustice nation-wide.
Social Trends

5. Pakistan is a union of its four provinces, plus the regions of GB, AJK, and FATA. The
country is united by one religion but enjoys very distinct traditions, customs, and languages.
Pakistan is a patriarchal, male‐ dominated society with a varying degree of independence
enjoyed by women depending on the education and economic class they belong to.
Customarily, the family is headed by the oldest male member and male members are also
considered generally to be the economic provider. The family is a strong unit of society and
parents play an important role in the care and well‐ being of their children, even to the extent
of taking important decisions such as the career or marriage prospects of the child.
A slight change has occurred in the dominating role of parents in urban areas—mainly due
to developments in communication technology—but life remains much the same in the rural
areas, especially due to the low levels of literacy and absence of quality education.
Feudalism/landowners in Pakistan have played a vicious role in keeping redundant traditions
and customs alive, especially those that target women and children, the weak and vulnerable.
The age‐ old system of the jirga and panchayat and its various forms (alternative justice
system) prevalent in Pakistan has also played, at times, havoc with the lives of ordinary
people, especially in the rural areas and the tribal belt. A subtle change has occurred after the
rise of the middle class in Pakistan, and rapid urbanization has begun to replace the extended
family system with nuclear families.
In Pakistan, religion plays a vital role in the life of individuals and forms the basis of their
everyday life and behavior patterns. Religious tenets are followed assiduously and are part of
everyday living. Unfortunately, customs and traditions are also given the cover of religion
and imposed on the generally illiterate and poor masses. Human rights do not play a very
important role in the lives of the masses and this is true across the social and economic
divide. This state of apathy can be attributed, in part, to the lack of education, awareness, and
powerful and influential forces which also hold political power. For instance, feudal lords
and landowners seek to continue exploitation of the vulnerable illiterates by terming human
rights either as an imported Western idea or as being against the religion.
Status of child rights:
Pakistan has over 80 million children and is suffering to fulfill their needs. This makes it
crucial for interventions and policies to champion the rights of children efficiently. Only
20.88% of children live in urban areas and have access to fundamental needs. Furthermore,
24% of the entire Pakistani population lives below the poverty line, which mainly affects
rural areas. In the country, the state of the global markets is exacerbating an already very
difficult economic reality. So, the rest of the children who live in rural areas are usually
deprived of various resources such as clean water and food, education, and health services. In
2009, the Committee on the Rights of the Child welcomed Pakistan’s pledge to increase the
allocation of sources for children. The Committee, however, had expressed concerns over
notably low budget allotments for children, which undermined Pakistan’s initial prospects.
Child- Sensitive Social Protection:

6. Social protection is essential for preventing and reducing poverty for children and families,
for addressing inequalities, and for realizing children’s rights. In addition, it is essential that
social protection programs respond to children’s vulnerabilities by optimizing positive effects
on children and minimizing potential adverse consequences. Pakistan faces immense
challenges in terms of poverty reduction as they lack in many of the basic human, physical,
and productive assets and have restricted or no access to essential social service. However,
especially if child-sensitive social protection is put into action correctly, it has the
opportunity to address chronic poverty, social exclusion, and external shocks which can
irreversibly affect children. One of the leading causes of death, which include a focus on
children’s health and nutrition. For example, the National Social Protection-for-Results
Project, which was established in March 2017 by the government, is a social protection
program aimed to strengthen the social safety net systems for the people who live in poverty
and to enhance their access to complementary services.
Right to Health:
In Pakistan, a child’s right to health is endangered from their youngest age. Approximately
one child out of six dies before the age of five. These deaths are ordinarily caused by
malnutrition or the lack of access to clean water and supplies. Every day, around 1,100
Pakistani children die from diarrhea and illnesses related to water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Another factor provoking the early deaths of Pakistani children is the nutritional status of
children in Pakistan. 30% of the children are underweight, more than 50% suffer from
stunted growth and around 9% from emaciation. Access to care is a challenge in most rural
areas where many families cannot afford primary healthcare which deteriorates the
conditions in which children live.
Right to Education:
Pakistan’s education is improving; however, it is not sufficiently advanced yet. With 23
million children unable to go to school, only 71% of children attend primary school in
Pakistan. The government allocates 1.8% of its national budget to education, which is
undoubtedly insufficient considering the urgent need. The difficulties of public education are
numerous: economic constraints, dilapidated or even dangerous buildings, lack of toilets,
chairs, tables, recurring humanitarian crises, etc. Furthermore, teachers are very under-
qualified, and it is not uncommon for children to leave school without knowing how to read
or write. This is the case for almost half of school-going children in Pakistan.
childhood in elite class, middle class, and lower class:
Those families who are afford to buy each and everything for their child without any
problem they may easily buy all happiness and colors of life for their child as a child she took
private dance, music, and French lessons and traveled extensively; in addition, she was
taught class-related behaviors,such as middle-class families do face some issues child-
rearing problems that have no counterpart in white middle-class families, Of children of

7. lower class families, those whose who were lucky enough to go to school, usually had to
leave at an early age. Children had to start working to help earn money for their family.
These families had difficult times affording clothing, food, and often dealt with illnesses,
such as ringworm.
Childhood in nuclear families:
Nuclear families offer a much more stable environment for children to be raised in as
compared to single parents, extended or any other new age style of family unit. ... When both
parents are a part of a child's life it is easier to discipline them and learn the important values
of life. Children who grow up in the nurturing environment of both the parents are known to
display a lot more consistency and stability in their lives and professions. They form closer
bonds with friends and family members and this is why they prove to be more productive in
their social circles and communities in general. Such children also tend to be more confident
and out-going and are usually quite popular in their circle of friends and colleagues. The
traditional nuclear family has a positive impact on how kids are raised.
Childhood in joint families:
In joint families, children don't have to look beyond their home. While allowing for
companionship, joint families also develop a culture for society, which prepares your child to
face the big bad world. Living in a joint family will expose your child to different learning
experiences of life. Agreed boundaries. Parents and grandparents should not underestimate
the social intelligence of a child, children know exactly whom to approach to get what they
want. Closed door discussions, One boss for the child. Grandparents were once parents.
Pakistan Bait-ul‐ Maal
Pakistan Bait-ul‐ Maal (PBM) is an autonomous body, and is making significant contribution
towards poverty alleviation all over Pakistan through its various poorest of the poor focused
services. Its on‐ going programmers include support and shelter homes for orphans,
rehabilitation of child workers through non-formal education and vocational trainings,
educational stipends, shelters and an outreach programmer for poor people (10). At federal
level, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, and Ministry of National
Health Services Regulations and Coordination, are coordinating ministries for provincial and
international cooperation on issues related to education and health. Ministry of Overseas
Pakistanis and Human Resource Development has a similar role of provincial and
international coordination, and cooperation on labour affairs including child labour. There is
also a Human Rights Cell at the Supreme Court of Pakistan that works under the direct
supervision of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Cases warranting urgent
relief and/or constituting a pattern of human rights violations have been taken up by the
Court under it sue moto power. In the past, this Cell has taken notice of missing persons,
kidnapping, murder, rape, honor killings, inhumane treatment, and other complaints.

8. Non‐ discrimination: Discriminatory social attitudes as a whole and
discrimination against children is widespread especially against vulnerable groups such as
disabled children and girls who are victims of early and forced marriages, low school
enrollment and high drop‐ out rates, honor killings, mutilation and violence. There are a
large number of marginalized populations within Pakistan such as children living in poverty,
children in contact with the law, and children living in rural areas, especially regarding
access to adequate social, health, and educational services. A primary consideration of the
non-discrimination principle is the importance of offering equitable access to social services,
justice and participation to all groups of the population. Therefore, special attention needs to
be given to children who are economically marginalized, belong to socially discriminated
groups or are otherwise excluded from the full realization of their rights.
Abuse and Neglect:
Although not widely acknowledged, there is prevalence of child abuse and neglect including
sexual abuse. Existing laws suffer from weak implementation and the criminal justice system
is also not child‐ friendly. There is lack of knowledge and data on the prevalence of abuse
and neglect as a whole, and especially when it occurs within the family.
Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation:
Child sexual abuse is normally shrouded in secrecy. The available evidence shows that it is
mostly acquaintances who abuse children, and exploit children trust. Victims are both girls
and boys. Children who are exploited for commercial sexual exploitation include girls found
in the red-light district of major cities, massage boys commonly found in or near shrines,
boys with alternate sexual identities, nomad children, children in the transport industry,
children in deep sea fishing, and other high risk work places. Prostitution occurs on the
streets, in brothels and via pimps who arrange visits between the children and the clients.
Child Labour:

9. Child labour is widely prevalent in Pakistan, and can be found in almost every sector of the
economy. A large proportion of child laborers are invisible as they work predominantly in
the informal sector. There is high level of acceptance of child labour in the society. ILO
conventions 138 and 182, dealing with minimum age of admission to employment and worst
forms of child labour, are poorly enforced. There is lack of protection from abuse and
exploitation at workplaces, and child domestic workers have no protection under law. Child
labour policy and laws are poorly implemented. Despite a wide spread problem, there is no
latest survey that can gauge the extent and prevalence of child labour in Pakistan. The last
survey was carried out in 1996 by the Federal Bureau of Statistics, in collaboration with ILO.
According to the findings, 3.36 million children (in the 5-14-year age group) were involved
in child labour. Of the 3.3 million working children, 73 per cent (2.4 million) were boys and
27% (0.9 million) were girls.
Below the chart of child labour in Pakistan
Child Trafficking:

10. Good progress has been made in recent years to counter cross‐ border trafficking of children
and trafficking via air routes has reduced substantially. Some forms of cross‐ border
trafficking still take place on borders of Baluchistan and the tribal belt (northern Pakistan)
(40). Internal trafficking of children is pervasive but understanding of internal trafficking
among law enforcement agencies is poor especially when children are sold by parents or
forced into marriages, forced labour, sexual exploitation or domestic servitude.
Child Beggars:
are not widespread but they are increasing in the region, and begging is more common
among families who have been displaced after the construction of Bhasha Dam. They have
settled in the outskirts of Gilgit and children, who have nothing to do, are begging in the
markets. Once on the street, these children become prey to other forms of abuse and
exploitation
Abandoned Children:

11. One of the most tragic violations of child rights is the rescue and protection of abandoned
babies. The birth of a baby out of wedlock is considered taboo and a matter of dishonor for
the family. As a result, innocent babies are killed or abandoned in order to preserve family
and tribal honor. These babies are the most susceptible because they are either abandoned or
killed.
Child marriage and violations of the law
The floods in 2010 had a very negative effect on people in Pakistan and especially the families
who were already in poverty. Laws concerning child marriage had already been broken but after
the crisis, it became increasingly common to marry girls below the age of 16 and boys below the
age of 18. This was primarily because of the increased rates of poverty and the families not being
able to look after their children.
with more parental negligence, corporal punishment, lack of awareness among children and
society, and the absence of legal protection of children the “Child Marriage Restraint Act” is
being overlooked by both the government and families. It is also seen that some country-specific
drivers of this are traditional customs, gender norms, family practices, and levels of education.
A significant amount, 32%, of marriages in Pakistan are actually child marriages. For example,
in rural areas, sometimes you can even observe a practice called “Vani Marriages”, which
involves giving your daughter in marriage to settle a dispute or a debt between two parties. “The
aggressor” offers one of his family’s daughters in compensation for a wrong caused. These
marriages are very dangerous for the health of young girls who, as a result, run the risk of
domestic violence, servitude, and rapes increasing child trafficking.

12. Malnutrition,and access to water:
Sufficient nutrition and a constant supply of water are essential for a child’s
development, and the absence of these elements can directly impact the child’s health.
Not only the child but if the mother suffers from poor nutrition, it may significantly affect
the baby in the womb or the child that is being breastfed. Some of the most prevalent
problems that cause child deaths are malnutrition and the inability to access clean,
fresh, and consistent water.
According to the IMF, International Monetary Fund, Pakistan is in third place for acute water
shortage, and this scarcity is significantly impacting the population. Each day, approximately
1,100 Pakistani children die from diarrhea and illnesses related to the quality or quantity of
water. Because of malnutrition, currently, in Pakistan, 30% of the children are underweight,
more than 50% suffer from stunted growth and around 9% from emaciation. With 24% of the
population living below the poverty line, poverty is one of the main reasons that many people in
Pakistan suffer from, and it leads to many problems that may be significant risks to the
population, especially children.
Major Challenges:
The economy of Pakistan remains characterized by highly skewed income distribution
and absolute poverty with high population growth rate, thus condemning families and
children to abject poverty and limiting the capacity of governments to act. Millions of
children have no access to basic services. A considerable number of children and mothers
have no or limited access to essential health and education services. Infant mortality,
neonatal mortality and under-five mortality remain high. Violence against children is a
pervasive problem. Many children are subjected to harmful traditional practices,
including child marriages. Many more are subjected to daily and incessant violence,
including rape and harassment, at home, at school and in their communities. Armed
conflicts, militancy and terrorism and worst natural disasters have further added to the
miseries of children in Pakistan.
 Despite the universal recognition of education as a human right and as the key to personal
growth and societal development, millions of children do not go to school. In short,

13. despite some progress over the last few decades, life for millions of Pakistan’s children
remains short, poor, insecure and violent.
 Pakistan has so far failed to harmonies the national legislative framework with the
UNCRC that is instrumental in the implementation of the Convention which would help
create a child-friendly environment in the country. There is a need to strengthen child
rights legislation both at national and provincial level taking into account the 18th
Constitutional Amendment, with necessary human and financial authority to take
measures. Often when we talk about Pakistan, we must also include FATA, GB and AJK
as part of Pakistan. We have noticed that in many statistics and researches, these regions
are excluded, and our knowledge and understanding about these regions are limited. The
government of Pakistan and development agencies should priorities these regions for
building knowledgebase because they have been constantly marginalized in past.
 The greatest challenge confronting Pakistan in ensuring the full enjoyment of all the
rights by all of its children is the sheer numbers involved. Pakistan is a developing
country rather than being among the least developed and poorest. It has resources, which
it can mobilize, to meet the challenge of ensuring the rights of more than 86 million
children.
 The situation of child rights in Pakistan is grim, demanding absolute and unconditional
attention from the federal and provincial governments in, at least making, an honest
attempt to improve the situation of children by implementing plans and policies,
formulated for the betterment of children. Education and health are two major sectors
wherein, given the precise consideration and commitment, the environment of well-being
of children can be brought under control and it can have constructive ramifications on
other indicators such as, child labour, juvenile justice, poverty and violence.
 The state is fundamentally responsible to provide for its citizens, and especially its
young citizens, what it requires a citizen to develop into a productive, honest, dynamic
member of the society for his/her own welfare and that of the country. Official estimates
suggest that 6.7 million children are out of schools which actually could be well over 10
million children.
 Below the chart of Pakistan four provinces of early age marriage

14.  How can we expect these children to be productive citizens of the country
when we don’tinvest in them today? We must not forget that the future of
Pakistan is in its own hands and, most of all, in the hands of its children.
As Nelson Mandela said;
‘There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the wayin which it
treats its children.’
End.