24 - Social Justice and Children in Pakistan

Summary

Pakistan faces the accelerated growth of its young population each year. This chapter highlights the discrepancies of the systems and issues related to equity and social justice among the Pakistani young population. By using the cases of Shamin and Rahman, the authors survey core areas where social justice is compromised for children in Pakistan: health and nutrition, education, child protection, radicalization, legislation, child labor, child marriage, substance abuse, and sexual abuse. The structural challenges marked by the stresses of an economy under pressure, poverty, gender inequality, health disparities, and weak systems (especially those serving education and justice), exacerbated by natural disasters and geopolitical crises, make implementation an ongoing challenge. Despite these challenges, in recent years Pakistan has taken positive strides to strengthen children’s rights. To create and maintain this momentum, support in terms of capital resources, human resources, infrastructure, and advocacy at governmental and nongovernmental levels is essential. The chapter concludes with a discussion of a specific budgetary analysis focused on child health, education, and social protection and pragmatic measures taken by various agencies and organizations from within civil society.