Pakistan observed the International Day of the Girl Child with multiple events and renewed commitments to girls’ empowerment, rights, and access to education, health, and opportunities.
The Ministry of Human Rights, in collaboration with UNICEF Pakistan, the National Commission on the Status of Women, the National Commission on the Rights of Children, and the Pakistan Girl Guides Association, hosted a national event under the global theme “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis.”
During the ceremony, Abdul Khalique Sheikh, Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights, underscored that girls are not merely beneficiaries of support — they are active agents of change. He affirmed that Pakistan remains committed to promoting gender equality by removing barriers that limit girls’ growth and leadership.
In his message marking the day, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Human Rights, lauded girls’ strength, courage, and leadership. He called for strengthened efforts to ensure every girl in Pakistan has access to safe learning, healthcare, protection, and leadership opportunities.
Civil society organizations, youth groups, and private-sector advocates also held seminars, panel discussions, and awareness campaigns across major cities to spotlight issues such as child marriage, access to education, gender-based violence, and participation in decision-making.
Despite progress in many sectors, stakeholders noted that challenges persist: disparities in school enrollment, child labor, cultural biases, and limited resources continue to hinder the full realization of girls’ rights in many parts of the country.
Observers say that aligning policy, funding, and social change efforts is critical if Pakistan is to translate the symbolic commemoration of the day into meaningful, sustainable improvements in the lives of millions of girls.
