The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Commission (KPCPWC) on Thursday launched a province-wide awareness-raising campaign against child sexual abuse and exploitation, focusing on prevention, early identification of risks, and responsible reporting. Officials said the drive aims to strengthen awareness among families and communities, promote preventive measures, and improve coordination among relevant institutions to ensure effective protection and response.
Secretary of the Zakat, Ushr, Social Welfare, Special Education, and Women Empowerment Department, Sharif Hussain, launched the campaign at an event. Government representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, religious scholars, media representatives, and child protection stakeholders attended the event.
KPCPWC Chief Ijaz Muhammad Khan said the campaign would focus on strengthening awareness at family and community levels, enabling early identification of risks, and encouraging responsible reporting of suspected cases. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts by families, communities, schools, government institutions, civil society, and media to create a safer environment for children.
Religious scholar Gul Muhammad highlighted the importance of protecting children's dignity, safety, and well-being, stating that families, communities, and institutions share a moral and social responsibility to safeguard children from harm. Blue Veins Programme Manager Qamar Naseem emphasized collective efforts to prevent child sexual abuse, with the safety and best interests of children remaining central to all initiatives.
Adolescent girls from the Rise & Shine Girls Leadership Network participated in various segments of the event, highlighting the importance of providing children and adolescents with safe platforms to express their views and contribute to initiatives concerning their safety and rights. Participants visited information, education, and communication stalls displaying awareness material on child protection, prevention, and reporting mechanisms, and signed a campaign pledge reaffirming their commitment to protecting children.
The commission stated that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to institutionalize child safety protocols across the province. The campaign will utilize various media channels and community outreach programs to reach remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
By engaging local influencers and community leaders, the KPCPWC hopes to break the silence surrounding child abuse and foster a culture of vigilance. Furthermore, the government plans to integrate these awareness modules into school curriculums to educate children about their rights and personal safety from a young age.
This multi-pronged approach is designed to ensure that every child in the province grows up in an environment free from fear and exploitation. The event concluded with a collective prayer for the safety of children and a renewed pledge by all stakeholders to work tirelessly toward the eradication of child abuse.
The KPCPWC has invited the public to report any suspicious activities through their dedicated helplines, ensuring that help is accessible to those in need.