PESHAWAR:The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Commission (KP CP&WC), in collaboration with UNICEF, organized the third round of consultations regarding the draft KP Child Protection Policy.
The consultation was chaired by Justice Retired Irshaq Qaiser, Caretaker Minister for Social Welfare, Special Education, and Women Empowerment Department, which took place on Tuesday.
The Draft Policy, developed over two years with consistent support from UNICEF and consultants from Oxford Programme Management (OPM), reflects the commitment of KP CP&WC and the Ministry of Social Welfare to create a secure environment for children in the province.
The Child Protection Policy outlines clear objectives for child protection, governance arrangements, and the roles and responsibilities of relevant departments, organizations, and institutions.
UNICEF’s Sohail Ahmad highlighted the importance of this policy and its comprehensive framework for child protection. He emphasized the need for consensus among stakeholders to establish a holistic child protection system, incorporating diverse perspectives.
Participants, including government experts, civil society organizations, and children, provided feedback during the consultations. The commitment is to further improve the draft, vet it with the Minister, and seek cabinet approval.
The Minister of Social Welfare emphasized a ‘whole government approach’ to protecting children, urging collaboration and coordination for child protection services.
Justice Retired Irshad Qaiser highlighted the significance of protecting children from abuse and ensuring the cultural appropriateness of the policy in the context of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The stakeholders involved a wide range of government departments, civil society organizations, and children. The aim is to thoroughly review and improve the policy before seeking government approval, followed by an action plan for implementation.