World Children's Day: Commemorating Children's Rights and National Commitments: - World Children's Day, observed annually on 20 November, is a
global observance dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of children
across the world. First established in 1954 by the United Nations, the day was
created to foster international solidarity, increase awareness among children
and adults alike, and encourage nations to take action toward improving children's
welfare. This date is also historically significant because it marks the
adoption of two key instruments:
The UN Declaration of the Rights
of the Child (1959), and The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
(1989), the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history.
These instruments affirm the
inalienable rights of every child to survival, development, protection, and
participation-regardless of race, gender, nationality, or social background.
World Children's Day is not only
a celebration of children but a call to action. It urges governments,
organizations, civil society, and individuals to renew their efforts to ensure
that every child is given the chance to grow up in an environment that nurtures
their potential, protects their dignity, and empowers their voice.
Pakistan's Commitment to Children's Rights:- As a signatory to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child, Pakistan has long recognized the
importance of protecting the rights and well-being of its youngest citizens.
With children accounting for nearly 40% of Pakistan's population, their
development is vital to the country's future
Over the years, Pakistan has
taken several key steps at the federal and provincial levels to fulfill its
commitments to child rights, with notable progress in legislation, education,
health, and child protection.
1. Legislative Measures:- Pakistan has enacted several laws to
institutionalize child rights and protection frameworks. Notable among these is
the National Commission on the Rights of the Child Act, which led to the
establishment of the NCRC-a statutory body responsible for monitoring child
rights and advising on policy improvements. Provinces such as Punjab, Sindh,
and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have also enacted child protection laws and set up child
protection bureaus to provide shelter, legal support, and rehabilitation for
vulnerable children.
2. Education Initiatives:- Education remains a central focus of
Pakistan's child development strategy. Programs like the Ehsaas Education
Stipend and Waseela-e-Taleem aim to reduce dropout rates and encourage school
enrollment, especially for girls in underserved communities. The government is
also working on curriculum reforms, teacher training, and inclusive education
practices to ensure quality learning for all.
3. Health and Nutrition Programs:- To address child mortality and
malnutrition, Pakistan has implemented nationwide immunization drives under the
Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Nutrition-focused initiatives target
stunting and wasting in early childhood, with a special emphasis on maternal
and child health. These programs are supported by development partners like
UNICEF, WHO, and GAVI.
4. Child Protection Mechanisms:- Pakistan
has made efforts to build institutional mechanisms to protect children from
abuse, exploitation, and neglect. Child protection units, helplines, legal aid
centers, and safe shelters have been established in various districts. The
government also works in collaboration with civil society organizations and
International partners such as Save the Children and UNICEF to train law
enforcement personnel and build community awareness.
Pakistan Post's Role in Public Awareness:- In 2025, Pakistan Post
contributed to these national efforts by issuing a commemorative postage stamp
on the occasion of World Children's Day. The stamp is more than a
collectible-it is a symbolic and educational tool that carries an important
message across the country and beyond.
The issuance of this stamp not
only commemorates the day but also serves to raise awareness, spark national
conversation, and promote empathy toward the realities children face in
Pakistan and across the world.
Pakistan Post has a longstanding
tradition of using philately as a platform for social messaging, and this stamp
continues that legacy by highlighting children's rights and the importance of
collective responsibility. It's Important to highlight that Pakistan Post is
issuing a souvenir sheet which showcases the traditional games of Pitthu Garam
and Gulli Danda. Aim is to preserve and promote Pakistan's cultural heritage
and signify the country's vibrant traditions to the world.
World Children's Day is a global
reminder that every child matters, It's a day to reaffirm the belief that
children are not just passive recipients of care-they are individuals with
voices, rights, and dreams that deserve protection and realization.
Pakistan's ongoing efforts in
legislation, education, health, and awareness-demonstrate a growing national
commitment to building a better future for all children. The release of the
commemorative stamp by Pakistan Post is creative and meaningful way to extend
this commitment beyond policy and into the public imagination. By celebrating
World Children's Day with purpose and action, Pakistan sends a clear message:
We hear our children. We stand
with them. And we are working for a future where every child can thrive."
My Day, My Rights:- From the moment the sun rises, children wake up
to a world shaped by choices they didn't make. But every child, everywhere, also
wakes with rights. Including the right to be protected, to learn, and to have
their voice heard.
It's time to listen to children.
To understand what their lives are like and how their rights are present,
missing, or pursued every day.
Let's amplify children's voices
and stand up for the rights of every child. Due to the same reason, Pakistan
Post decided to issue the Souvenir Sheet that figures the World Children's Day
2025 theme: My Day, My Rights.
On World Children's Day, Pakistan
Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp, denomination Rs. 30/-and
Souvenir Sheet of denomination Rs. 120/- on November 20th, 2025
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