Institutionalising Child Protection within Sindh Police
Following the Training of Trainers conducted in May 2026, Sindh Police has taken an important step towards strengthening child protection within its own training system by conducting three follow-up trainings through its Law Instructors.
The initiative, undertaken in collaboration with Terre des Hommes (TDH) and Obun2, has focused on building the institutional capacity of Sindh Police to strengthen child protection knowledge and practice through its own training structures.
In May 2026, two Training of Trainers programmes were conducted at the Central Police Office, Karachi, for 50 Sindh Police Law Instructors. A dedicated Child Protection Training Manual, Facilitator’s Guide and Online Child Protection Portal were also developed to support future training and learning.
In August 2026, Sindh Police trainers subsequently conducted follow-up trainings in Karachi, Larkana and Shahdadpur, reaching more than 120 police personnel from different levels and functions. The trainings were delivered through Sindh Police’s own trainers and training institutions, demonstrating the potential for child protection learning to be sustained internally rather than relying solely on external training.
Obun2 observed the trainings and engaged with trainers to understand the experience and identify areas for further strengthening. The overall response was encouraging. For many participants, this was their first dedicated training on child protection, while trainers also demonstrated growing ownership by preparing and delivering their own sessions.
The experience also highlighted the need to continue strengthening trainer capacity and make future sessions increasingly practical and linked to day-to-day policing. Greater use of case examples, participatory methods and practical referral pathways can help officers better understand their responsibilities towards child victims, witnesses, children at risk and children in conflict with the law.
A particularly important institutional achievement has been the inclusion of Child Protection as a distinct capacity-building course in Sindh Police’s Capacity Building Courses (CBC) Policy 2026–27. The policy provides for a two-day Child Protection Course and plans 12 courses reaching around 600 police personnel during the year. This marks an important step from a project-supported initiative towards formal recognition of child protection within Sindh Police’s own training framework and provides a strong basis for continuity.
Going forward, continuity will be important. This includes training additional Law Instructors, further developing capable trainers, continuing follow-up and refresher trainings, and gradually integrating child protection into relevant police training courses. The existing Manual and Facilitator’s Guide provide a strong foundation and can be periodically updated as laws, procedures and emerging issues evolve.
The initiative represents an important step towards building a sustainable, police-led child protection training and knowledge system within Sindh Police, with the potential to strengthen police responses to children across the province.
