This project is part of Save the Children’s national initiative for protection of child rights in Pakistan. The program seeks to bring changes in legislation, policies and practices with regard to child rights. Empowerment of individuals & children and civil society strengthening are pivotal components of the project.  The overall aim of the program is to establish a Protection Mechanisms (institutional and community based) to prevent and respond to violence against children in all settings, in nine (3 urban centres and 6 rural districts) locations of Pakistan by 2021.

The program has multiple local implementing organizations, in Sindh and Punjab. IRC is responsible for implementation of the program in 05 districts of Sindh. The name for 04 initially selected districts are: Karachi, Dadu, Larkana and Shikarpur.

By virtue of organization’s expertise in education related services and working with children and women, IRC is responsible for two objectives of the project, which are mentioned below. At present, 35 staff members are working in this project, including full time, part-time and support staff.

These committees particularly focused on promoting peace and harmony among the residents of the districts, specifically in vulnerable areas and communities

Key Outcomes

• Signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sindh Child Protection Authority / Social Welfare Department, Govt. of Sindh to provide operational support to three Child Protection Units located at District Dadu, Larkana and Shikarpur.
• Organized community members into formal structures of Child protection committees (CPCs) in 150 villages, with an overall membership of 4749 persons, to prevent child cases and promote child rights.
• Organized 2058 children into 114 Junior Leader Clubs at project locations.
• 80 civil society organizations at project locations have been facilitated to work on child rights through child rights advocacy networks at aforementioned districts. The district networks are member of Child Rights Movement (CRM), Sindh.
• 03 research studies i.e. i) Pre-KAP survey on Corporal Punishment, ii) Review of Pre-service teachers’ training curriculum on PHP and iii) Child rights Situational Analysis (CRSA) at district Shikarpur, have been conducted.
• Organized two workshops for capacity building of CPU staff (NGO and Govt.) on child protection structures and awareness of relevant laws.
• Launched media campaign for public awareness against corporal punishment at program districts. Theatre shows organized at schools, cable television messages aired on local networks and radio program series broadcasted on FM radio stations.
• Organized stakeholders’ consultation event Physical and humiliating Punishment (PHP) against children in all settings.