Runaway of children is a complex and hidden phenomena in Pakistan, requires innovative and evidence based responses it is clear from this study that there is an urgent need for holistic and child-centered implies that a program m fully respects all element of the child. Things that can be done: - Addressing the root causes of children leaving their houses at a younger age,
- Challenging the existing socio-culture norms and practices,
- Recognizing street/runaway children as rights holders and social actors,
- More in depth research was needed on various manifestations of runaways including trafficking etc,
- The results should be used for advocacy lobbying and for designing child protection programs in the frame world of Nation plan of action against causes of this problem,
- Educate the community so it can recognize children who may be at risk for exploitation, recognize exploitation and their tricks, and be aware of the strategies and actions for intervention,
- Children’s clubs and child centered and media may be important tools for sensitizing children peer support programs and peer to peer drama may be interest methods to strengthen child participation and ownership of children,
- The media in its multiple forms should educate the public and make aware nesses to eliminate the stereotypes surroundings for runaway children and youth.
Studies suggests that communities should be involved in the re integration process of the victims from the beginning. This may avoid stigmatization and may facilitative
re integration of the victims, also awareness and education on life skills (assertion skills etc) will help in the prevention of abuse and exploitation and the development of protection behavior in children. While integrating personal health, protection and integration should be included into the formal school curriculum.
Law makers should implement education programs for at risk children so they can recognize and be aware of appropriate ways to protect themselves from abusive behavior and to promote their impersonal communicational skills, critical thinking, confidence and self esteem. It will lead to heightening of their awareness and lessen their risks of becoming victims of runaways.
Pehchaan & SPARC are working for the rights of children & helping them find their identity. Perhaps the most disadvantaged group in Pakistan is the millions of street c
children who live or work on the street. Street children fall through the cracks in the society – there are few opportunities and ladders for them to climb back and return to normal life.
Children live and work on the street because their parents are poor, they are orphans, or they are abused at home. They are invariably mal-nourished, receive minimal education or medical treatment, and are involved in child labor from an early age. Child prostitution and sexual abuse are also major problems, as is addiction to drugs. These children live in a world different than ours. Taken as a separate nation, they are the most suffering people on our planet.
The root causes leading to these children’s plight are beyond a single NGO’s power to change, but PAHCHAAN & SPARC believes in helping where it can. To such children we are striving to provide:
- Repatriation to Their Families
- Temporary Shelters
- Street Schools
- Vocational Training
- Nutrition
- Medical Treatment
- Shower Facilities
- AIDS Awareness; and
- A Help Line for Children
Pahchaan (Protection And Help of Children Against Abuse and Neglect) is a Lahore-based non-government, non-profit, registered organization working on child protection issues.
Pahchaan’s focus is on street children, runaway children, and other children in difficult circumstances, especially those vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. It also aims to work with service providers and parents/caregivers through increased awareness, networking, and capacity building in order to create a more protective environment for the children under their care. The NGO'S also said it was planning to open a drop in centre for such children with the help of international sponsors including the European Commission and Group Development and the organization End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT).