First Lady of Pakistan and Member of the National Assembly Aseefa Bhutto Zardari has called for stronger and sustained action to protect children from violence, exploitation, trafficking, forced labour, child marriage and growing dangers in the online world.
In a statement on child protection, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari said children across the world continue to experience physical and sexual violence as well as different forms of exploitation that can have lasting consequences for their safety, education and future.
She stressed that violence against children is not an unavoidable problem and said effective protection requires political commitment, strong institutions and continuous action.
Children Still Facing Multiple Forms of Abuse
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari highlighted that threats to children are no longer confined to physical spaces.
Alongside physical and sexual violence, children remain vulnerable to trafficking, forced labour, early marriage and exploitation, while increasing use of digital platforms has created another area where children can be targeted.
Online grooming, harassment, blackmail and sexual exploitation have emerged as serious child protection concerns as younger users spend more time on social media, messaging applications and other digital platforms.
The changing nature of these threats means child protection systems increasingly have to deal with both traditional forms of abuse and risks created by technology.
‘Violence Against Children Is Preventable’
Referring to repeated warnings from the United Nations, the First Lady said violence against children remains widespread but can be prevented.
Her statement placed particular emphasis on moving beyond expressions of concern and ensuring institutions responsible for protecting children have the ability to intervene effectively.
Strong child protection systems require coordination between law enforcement agencies, schools, healthcare providers, social welfare departments and the justice system so that children facing abuse can receive timely assistance.
Aseefa’s remarks also underline the need for accountability where children are subjected to violence or exploitation.
Online Child Safety Emerging as Major Challenge
Digital safety has become an increasingly important part of the wider child protection debate.
The rapid expansion of internet access has created opportunities for education and communication, but it has also provided offenders with new ways to approach and exploit children.
Children may face unwanted sexual contact, manipulation, threats, blackmail or requests for private images without fully understanding the risks involved.
This has increased calls for stronger digital literacy among parents and children, faster reporting mechanisms and greater responsibility from technology platforms.
The challenge is particularly important because online abuse can move rapidly across platforms and national borders, making prevention and investigation more complicated than many traditional forms of crime.
Child Labour and Trafficking Remain Serious Concerns
Beyond digital threats, child labour and trafficking continue to put vulnerable children at risk.
Children pushed into labour often lose access to education and may be exposed to dangerous working conditions, physical violence and exploitation.
Trafficking creates an even greater risk, particularly when poverty, displacement and weak family support leave children vulnerable to criminal networks.
Preventing such exploitation requires more than enforcement alone. Access to education, social protection and economic support for vulnerable families can also play an important role in reducing the conditions that allow child exploitation to continue.
Child Marriage Also Part of Wider Protection Challenge
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also identified child marriage among the major challenges facing children.
Early marriage can interrupt education and expose young people, particularly girls, to serious social, economic and health consequences.
Pakistan has taken legislative steps in different jurisdictions to strengthen protections against child marriage, but implementation and awareness remain central to ensuring laws translate into protection on the ground.
Strong Institutions Essential for Child Protection
The central message of Aseefa Bhutto Zardari’s statement is that protecting children requires sustained institutional commitment rather than isolated interventions.
Effective laws are important, but they must be supported by enforcement, accessible reporting systems, trained professionals and services capable of helping victims recover.
Schools and families also remain crucial because signs of abuse, exploitation or online targeting are often first noticed by people who interact with children every day.
Creating an environment in which children can report abuse without fear, stigma or blame is equally important.
Protecting Children Requires Collective Responsibility
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari’s statement comes as child protection increasingly includes challenges ranging from physical violence and trafficking to online exploitation.
Her call for political will, stronger institutions and sustained action reflects the growing recognition that child safety cannot be addressed through a single law or department.
Protecting children ultimately requires coordinated action by the state, families, educational institutions, communities and digital platforms.
As technology changes the ways in which children communicate and interact, child protection systems will also have to evolve — ensuring that safety in the digital world receives the same attention as protection from violence and exploitation offline.