The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Norwegian Government signed, the 18th of August, the second phase of a three year programme to mobilize public and policy action through the national media to combat child labour in Pakistan.
26/07/2006 :: - The Norwegian Embassy has noted with keen interest and appreciation the high priority that the Government of Pakistan has given to addressing the challenges linked to child labour within the national programme of action. I have also noted the key role of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in the programme. Without doubt the media can play a key role in highlighting the challenges and its socio-economic consequences, besides exerting influence at the policy level, said Mr. Alf Arne Ramslien, the Norwegian Chargé d’Affaires a.i.
The Norwegian Government supports the programme with 11,9 million NOK (approximately 120 million Rs) from 2006-2009. The programme is designed to raise public awareness on the issues of child labour, support national legal and policy actions and to create a conducive national environment against child labour. The programme shall develope the capacity of media personnel for institutional strengthening to address the issue of child labour, develope and air print and electronic media products including dramas, documentaries and discussion programmes and establish a network of media personnel for action against child labour.
Global fight for child rights
Norway was the first country to establish the Child Ombud in 1981, which reflected resolve of Norwegian people and the Government to eliminate child labour.
- Norway, being signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, is pleased to be partner in this endeavour together with the ILO and the Government of Pakistan. I hope that Pakistan will be among the nations that ensure its children will be going to schools, instead of being caught in labour that keep them away from formal education.
Media is important and responsible
The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Mohammad Ali Durrani highlighted the influence of the media for shaping public opinion on matters of social issues.
- The media has a very important and responsible role to play in ensuring that correct information is disseminated and the government’s considerable specific legislative, policy and programmes pertaining to the eradication of the scourge of child labour from the country and within the frameworks of Education for All, Poverty Reduction and the MDGs are duly communicated to the public.
He stated that ‘now with the recent ratification of ILO Convention 138 on Minimum Age and the earlier ratification of ILO Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour it is all the more imperative that policy makers, stakeholders and the public understand the issues of child labour and take appropriate action at their levels’.
Capacity building for sustainability
The Federal Secretary of Information, Mr. Shahid Rafi expressed his commitment towards the effective implementation of the project through provision of free air time for the various media products and appreciated the technical support of the ILO. He reaffirmed the Government’s seriousness to eradicate the issue of child labour and emphasized the importance of the various capacity building and institutionalization activities and opined that these would lead to future sustainability.
Supporting national efforts to combat child labour
The Director ILO Office for Pakistan, Mr. Donglin Li emphasized the relevance, importance and timeliness of the programme:
- All products are enriched by empirical research generated from ILO programmes and this is important as it ensures that the real issues are brought forward and practical solutions are suggested. ILO’s largest technical cooperation programme in Pakistan works in the sector of the elimination of child labour.
(Islamabad, 18 July 2006)
Embassy of Norway