Obun2 and NCRC Launch the ‘State of Children in Pakistan’ Portal
Obun2, a research and advocacy organisation dedicated to advancing child rights and justice in Pakistan, in collaboration with the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC), has developed and launched the country’s first-ever digital knowledge platform on children — the State of Children in Pakistan portal in Islamabad. This initiative was designed to support NCRC’s constitutional mandate to monitor, promote, and protect the rights of children by providing a centralised, evidence-based resource for all stakeholders working in the child rights space.
The portal serves as a comprehensive knowledge hub that offers a wide array of insights into the situation of children in Pakistan across multiple thematic areas, including health, education, child labour, child sexual abuse, juvenile justice, etc as well as legal and institutional frameworks, etc. It brings together data from national surveys, legal instruments, research publications, and international frameworks to ensure that policies and interventions are based on accurate and timely information. Key features of the portal also include data sets, province-wise comparisons of child indicators, Pakistan’s compliance to international treaties, etc. The Portal allows policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and the media to explore the state of child rights in a structured, user-friendly, and evidence-driven format. The platform is dynamic and will be regularly updated to inform policy actions, advocacy strategies, and monitoring initiatives.
The State of Children in Pakistan portal was officially launched on 12 June 2024 in Islamabad during a national event commemorating the World Day Against Child Labour. Organised by NCRC, the event marked a significant milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to combat child labour and strengthen systems of accountability and transparency in child welfare governance.
During the launch, Executive Director of Obun2, Qindeel Shujaat, presented the portal and outlined its strategic importance in bridging the gap between data and decision-making. “This portal is a transformative tool, not just a website. It empowers all of us to work from evidence, track progress, and speak with credibility when advocating for child rights,” he stated.
In her opening remarks, NCRC Chairperson Ayesha Raza Farooq urged participants to confront the everyday realities of child exploitation. “Let us not turn a blind eye to children working in our streets and homes. As we leave this room today, let us commit to becoming advocates for change,” she said.
Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, graced the event as chief guest and reaffirmed the government’s support for the Commission’s work. He also announced that the Prohibition of Child Labour in Domestic Work 2024 bill, drafted by NCRC, is currently under review by the National Task Force on Human Rights.
The event was attended by a wide range of stakeholders including child rights experts, civil society organisations, government departments, development partners, embassies, and media representatives. In addition to launching the portal, the Commission released its Annual Report for 2023–24, detailing progress in areas such as strategic planning, legal reform, partnerships, and advocacy.
The launch of the State of Children in Pakistan portal is a significant step toward institutionalising data-driven policy and accountability in the child rights sector. By equipping stakeholders with credible, accessible, and regularly updated information, the portal will serve as a cornerstone for promoting the rights, dignity, and well-being of every child in Pakistan.
