Myra Imran

The dark net has no boundaries as digital technology has made children more vulnerable through disseminating pornographic material easily available for virtual community within seconds from one corner of the world to another.

The issue was discussed at large at the second day of international conference on Human Rights (HR) titled, “Owing human Rights for a better world” organised by the Federal Ministry of Human Rights. The speakers suggested global alliance to counter child sexual abuse. “Protection of child rights is a big challenge especially child abuse is a complex phenomenon which needed a global alliance to work collectively for securing our future generations,” they said.

The first ever HR conference held two session on focusing on the second day including “Protecting Women and Children under National and International Frameworks”, “Humanity under Climate Change: Environmental Rights are Human Rights”.

Speaking on the occasion, Director General, International Coordination (IC), MOHR, Muhammad Hassan Mangi informed the participants that Pakistan has passed a number of legislations to protect rights of the children at federal as well as provincial level but still face lack of appropriate implementation mechanism, capacity building of institutions, absence of statistical data for establishing policies and lack of resources for child rights programming.

Director General, South Asian Initiative to End Violence against Children (SAIEVAC), Dr. Rinchen Chophel said that in till 1989 children were not recognized as rights holders. But for last 30 years still a long way to go to safeguard their rights. There is a dire need to place mechanism for ensuring their rights, review present legislation, take steps to check early child marriages and their right to education and health.

Director Social Affairs SAARC, Rishfa Rasheed stated that south Asian countries should take steps for empowerment of children, establish legal frame work, capacity building of child rights protecting institutions and establish review and coordination platforms at regional levels

Dorothy Rozga, Executive Director, ECPAT International Thailand, shared that they work on single agenda “To avoid sexual exploitation of Children”, with representatives in 93 countries. She said advancement of technology has increased fear for children manifold.

The digital technology has opened many ways for perpetrators to exploit and abuse children, adding, “We use term dark net for it”. The effects of this dark net are horrifying as it has no boundaries and is accessible to people across the world within no time. She urged for strong mechanism with the collective efforts to fight this curse to keep our future generation a safe and secure.

Discussing the HR issue around women, Syeda Abida Hussain, former minister, shared that despite substantial improvement in women political and economic rights, there is still a long way to go. She said that right of inheritance is still denied to women, adding that male child is a priority for most of the society despite the fact how useful, talented and dynamic their girl child is. She further added that another major issue which still remained ignored is rights of domestic servants as no organization is particularly focusing on it.

Fauzia Waqar, Chairperson Punjab Commission on the Status of Women said gender equality is one of the most important challenges. Moreover, she added, authentic statistical data and online data base are other key areas which should be focused on priority.

Jamshed Kazi, Country Representative, UN Women Pakistan discussed that available data of marriages and divorce is far less than the actual facts. He urged that there is a dire need of training and capacity building of the staff who work in marriage registration offices.

Khawar Mumtaz, Chairperson National Commission on the Status of Women paid rich tribute to the services of Asma Jahangir. She said that at least 30 pieces of pro women legislation have been passed in last 10-15 years.

She informed that the government established independent commission for women in 2012 which not only monitors government for their commitments at national level but also check the service delivery of HR institutions and do legislations for women.

Session on “Humanity under Climate Change: Environmental Rights are Human Rights” consisted of two panel discussions covering concepts, experiences and climate rights. Justice Qazi Faez Isa said that Pakistan is the seventh most vulnerable country for climate change and number one in losses resulting from climate change.

Advisor Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Razi Latif said that gender equality could help achieve SDG targets including environmental rights. Talking about his experiences of interacting with communities, he said that men always say that development is the solution of climate change whereas women always talk about the real necessities like water.

Speakers appreciated the community initiatives. They warned about the devastating impact of climate change and lack of awareness and political will to deal with the situation.

Talking about difference between climate change and environmental issues, Professor of Economics, University of Utah said that environmental issues can be addressed but climate change is a situation that would confront us for next thousands of years.

Kitka Goyol of UNICEF and Saddiq Khan of WaterAid stressed for adequate waste management system and linkages of health with sanitation. Director General Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency Farzana Altaf said that when we recognize environment as basic right, we recognize everything around us our right.

The three-day conference would conclude today (Wednesday).