UNICEF hosts “Child Labour Surveys: Evidence for Action” Event in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD – UNICEF Pakistan hosted a high-level event titled “Child Labour Surveys: Evidence For Action”, bringing together representatives from federal and provincial governments, labour departments, development partners, international organizations, researchers, civil society, and media professionals to discuss the latest evidence on child labour in Pakistan and identify practical measures for its eradication. The event underscored the critical role of reliable and up-to-date data in shaping effective policies and interventions aimed at protecting children from exploitation and ensuring their right to education, safety, and development. Participants emphasized that evidence-based policymaking is essential for addressing the root causes of child labour and accelerating progress toward its elimination. During the event, alarming statistics highlighted the scale of the challenge facing Pakistan. It was shared that approximately 8.6 million children aged 5–17 years are engaged in child labour across the country. Furthermore, around 25.1 million children aged 5–16 years remain out of school, making them particularly vulnerable to economic exploitation and hazardous work. Survey findings also revealed that nearly 88 percent of child labour cases are concentrated in Rural areas, with agriculture and informal sectors accounting for the majority of child workers. The discussions also placed Pakistan’s situation within the global context, where an estimated 138 million children worldwide continue to be involved in child labour despite significant Progress made over the past two decades. Participants noted that previous UNICEF estimates Had identified approximately 3.3 million Pakistani children trapped in child labour, further reinforcing the need for updated and comprehensive survey data to guide policy responses. The event was attended by senior officials from UNICEF Pakistan including the Country Representative Pernille Ironside, Barrister Aqeel Mali