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Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child

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Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child
AbbreviationSPARC
FormationDecember 17, 1992; 32 years ago (1992-12-17)
TypeNGO
PurposeChild rights
HeadquartersIslamabad,lahore
Region served
Pakistan
MembershipPrivate
Websitesparcpk.org

The Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) is a Pakistani independent non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting the rights of children.

Mission

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SPARC was established as an advocacy group for children's rights.[1] Initially focused on promoting and protecting breastfeeding, it has expanded to child labour, juvenile justice, education and violence against children.[1] It has held "children's parliaments"[2][3] and worked to end corporal punishment in Pakistani schools.[4][5][6]

Operations

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SPARC was officially established on 17 December 1992, in Islamabad, Pakistan.[1] SPARC's governing body is run by a board of directors.[1] While the headquarters is located in Islamabad, it has offices in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta, Hyderabad, Multan and Nowshera.[1] 54 Child Rights Committees consisting of local activists operate at the district level.[1]

SPARC has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the United Nations Department of Public Information.[1] It is a partner of Defence for Children International.[1] In 2003, SPARC received the United Nations Recognition Award for highlighting the plight of children and promoting the rights of children in Pakistan.[1] In 2006, SPARC received USAID certification.[1]

SPARC is a member of the Pakistan National Alliance[7] and the International Baby Food Action Network.[8]

Successes

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The Protection of Breastfeeding and Young Child Nutrition Ordinance, drafted by founding SPARC member Anees Jillani, was signed in October 2002 and came into force in 2010.[9][10] It superseded the National Infant Feeding Board Rules of 2004.[11] The ordinance has also been adopted by Gilgit-Baltistan, which has special status under a Presidential Order.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "SPARC". SPARC. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  2. ^ "Children Parliament elected to promote child rights". The Nation (Pakistan). 15 November 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  3. ^ "SPARC organises children parliament session". The Nation (Pakistan). 7 November 2010. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  4. ^ "SPARC for end to corporal punishment in school". The Nation (Pakistan). 22 June 2009. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  5. ^ "SPARC calls for end to corporal punishment in schools". Financial Post. 24 February 2011. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013.
  6. ^ "NGO: Corporal Punishment of Students in Pakistan Must End". SOS Children's Villages – Canada. 26 June 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  7. ^ "Breastfeeding practice 'lowest in Pakistan'". The Express Tribune. 29 July 2010.
  8. ^ Wager, T. "IV – PAKISTAN (2003-2004)" (PDF). SPARC. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  9. ^ The Network, Islamabad. "Consultative Meeting on Protection of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Ordinance 2002".
  10. ^ Azam, Foiza (10 February 2010). "Breastfeeding rules finally get Ministry's nod". The Nation (Pakistan). Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  11. ^ Government of Pakistan (20 August 2004). The Gazette of Pakistan (SRO 84(KE)2004)
  12. ^ "Cabinet approves 'Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009'". Associated Press of Pakistan. 29 August 2009.
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