Children are an integral part of any society. Their dependency on others for the fulfilment of their basic needs like food, shelter, education, safety and security makes them a vulnerable group. Society is judged on its ability to provide for the needs of the vulnerable.

Pakistan was one of the first countries to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It has made progress in a number of areas to advance children’s rights. Yet due to challenges, millions of children in the country continue to be left behind, deprived of services that are essential for their health, nutrition, education, protection and participation.

The United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child is one of the main benchmark and inspiration regarding the protection of child rights in most of the governments. By ratifying the Convention, States commit to undertaking “all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures” for the full realization of the rights it contains.
Under the Section 15(h) of the Act of the National Commission on the Rights of Child, NCRC shall “examine existing or proposed legislations and administrative instruments and proposals related to child rights and make such recommendations as it deems appropriate. Additionally, under Section 15(c) of the Act mentions that the National Commission on the Rights of Child shall “examine and review any law or policy or practice, for the first-time being force, for protection of child rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation.

Reviewing and promoting legislation is one of the key programme areas for the National Commission on the Rights of Child and to hold parliamentary consultations on child rights involving lawmakers and other stakeholders to take stock of the progress made since the ratification of the convention, identify gaps in the legislation, and renew their commitments to protect and promote all of children’s rights.