Urban Settings as an opportunity for realizing Child Rights in Pakistan

Transcription

1 Urban Settings as an opportunity for realizing Child Rights in Pakistan

2 Urban Environment in Pakistan Total Population: million Urban Share 36% and growing up rapidly By 2030, urban population will represent 50% of the total population Almost half (47%) of the urban population is settled in slums (UN-Habitat) Urban System includes over 450 cities and towns: Half of urban population is concentrated in 8 largest cities. The rest, is in small and medium cities or towns

3 Urban Environment in Pakistan Causes of urban growth: Accelerated population growth Rural-urban migration Patterns of refugee and immigrant settlers Economic structural dynamics Cities contribute three-quarter of the total GDP Urban middle class has expanded projected to be 100 million by 2030 Innovation and social development as landmark of urbanization

4 Major Challenges for Child Rights in Urban Pakistan Intra & inter urban disparities in provision of services essential for the growth and development of children due to bold social stratification and geographic segregation Poor/Marginalized children are disadvantaged or excluded from education, sanitation and health services as most belong to impoverished communities Higher incidence of violation of child s rights, abuse and exploitation as patterns of coping strategies in an unplanned urban expansion Urban planning and governance needs high priority on the public agenda and impact on provision, access and use of services

5 Opportunities in Urban Settings Pakistani cities are loci of employment opportunities through the presence of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Contribution of cities to GDP (75%) Strong urban middle class Hubs of innovation, technology and communication To address the urban challenges, cities can enhance opportunities through the model of inclusive development Low income housing Upgrading of slums, focusing on water supply and sanitation Inclusive schools Supply of affordable health care Mass transit system for efficient and affordable transport

6 Opportunities in Urban Settings Urbanization enhances the potential of a participatory democracy and administration of public affairs. Making cities child-friendly is a way to transform opportunities in realities The urban governance if good governance has better chances to produce desirable changes in children s life

7 Policy Initiatives for Urban Development National policies in place: National Housing Policy 2001 National Resettlement Policy 2002 National Water Policy 2009 National Drinking Water Policy 2011 National Sanitation Policy 2012 Framework of Economic Growth and Support to Cities, 2011 Urban Unit of the Government of Punjab Cities governance improvement project in five large cities Infrastructure development initiatives of provincial governments

8 Best Practices Child and maternal health: Lady Health Worker Program Launched in 1994 to provide essential primary health care services Deployed over 100,000 female LHWs in urban slums and rural areas Covers over 65% of target population women and children Programme has positive impact on health outcomes A study by PIDE also found a Welfare Impact of programme Sanitation: Orangi Pilot Project Karachi Low cost sanitation program with active user participation About 100,000 household have developed their own sanitation system Replication in other districts Ludharan

9 Inclusive Schools Best Practices ENGAGE project in Bagh (AJK Government) targeted disabled children Successful programs in Abbotabad and Mansehra districts (KP Government). Integrating curriculum Teacher training Inclusive education Adolescent and Youth Participation Punjab Youth Policy and Adolescents Strategy developed and approved by the Government of Punjab City as a model: Islamabad Governance, coordination, accountability, birth registration, health& sanitation, education, protection, access to water, resource allocation, environment protection.

10 Working together To envision ways for urban settings to enable fulfillment of rights and promote social inclusion i.e. Governments lead movement towards child-friendly cities across Asia and Pacific To mainstream sharing of knowledge and best practices in tackling the issues of child survival, development to their fullest and protection from exploitation, violence, abuse and trafficking in urban environments To promote inclusive policies and programmes that target urban socially excluded children and young people to ensure equitable realization of rights To create or institutionalize regional coordination structures to follow on the priorities related to cooperation on realization of child s rights as agreed upon during the High Level Meetings

11 For further details see: Urbanization and Child Rights in Pakistan on THANK YOU