KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday asserted that awareness and education are the two most important tools to fight the prevailing child abuse situation in the country.
He was addressing a press conference in Karachi during which he said: “We cannot fight child abuse if our children don’t know how to protect themselves. All political parties should be on the same page pertaining to child rights.”
Bilawal stated that the Sindh government is taking all the necessary steps to adopt life skills-based education in the curriculum across the province. He emphasised that it is of paramount importance that children are aware of ways to protect themselves, their health, their body and are confident going to relevant authorities.
“Previously people were scared to speak [about child abuse] but now people are scared of not speaking out,” said the PPP chair while remarking on the Kasur incident.
Answering a question on the necessity of punishment in child abuse cases, Bilawal stated that punishment is
When asked about the necessity of punishment in child abuse cases, Bilawal remarked that punishment is of vital importance but withstanding change is dependant on education and awareness.
The PPP chair also shared that his party wants an accountable police force. “Police should be apolitical but checks and balances are necessary as well,” he observed.
Bilawal was supported by social activist and singer Shehzad Roy, who backed the Sindh government’s efforts to raise awareness about child abuse among school-going children.
