islamabad - The civil society activists on Sunday demanded setting up a child protection department in the light of the recent Kasur incident. Various individual civil society activists and groups including Girls at Dhabas collaborated to protest the murder of Zainab Amin, a seven-year-old child who was kidnapped, raped and killed in Kasur.
The protest was held at the National Press Club where the activists held placards, a vigil and recited fateha for the deceased. Speeches were made discussing how this act was not one which occurred in isolation but was a product of our society at large and how every one of us was accountable and responsible for bringing about change henceforth.
The recent surge of viral text messages urging parents to cover their young daughters was criticised for once again putting the onus on children to defend themselves. Discussions were held on how a dialogue must be opened within households and how parents must educate their children on these matters.
The government’s lack of initiative following the Kasur scandal of 2015 and failure to set up a child protection department was also criticised.
The protesters then held a brief march along the road adjacent to the National Press Club where they chanted slogans demanding justice for Zainab and all other children abused in Kasur.
