City Desk
Islamabad, October 14, 2026 – Pakistan’s Ministry of Human Rights and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the country’s first National Strategy to End Violence Against Children (2026–2031), aimed at strengthening prevention and protection for the country’s 120 million children.
The strategy cites alarming figures: up to 80 percent of children experience violent discipline, and 1 in 16 internet users aged 12-17 faces technology-facilitated exploitation or abuse. Some 840,000 children aged 10-17 have been married, 8.6 million are in child labour, and over 57 percent of children under five are not registered with a civil authority, leaving them more vulnerable and less able to access services.
The strategy was unveiled at the National Preparatory Consultation for the 2nd Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, to be held in Manila in November. The two-day consultation on 14-15 October, led by the Ministry with UNICEF and WHO, brings together over 100 experts, officials, civil society members, youth representatives and children. Participants are also reviewing progress on pledges Pakistan made at the 2024 Bogotá conference.
The strategy targets violent killing, physical, sexual and psychological violence, neglect and technology-facilitated abuse, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as displaced, migrant and urban-poor children. It draws on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and WHO-led INSPIRE framework.
Secretary Abdul Khalique Shaikh called the launch “just the beginning,” saying success will be measured by action. Girl Guide Qurat Ul ain Safdar Khan urged that children’s safety “cannot wait until we grow up.” WHO’s Dr Luo Dapeng pledged continued support.
