The 10th Grade student Rida Batool of Tando Allahyar was elected Chief Minister in first ever session of Sindh Children’s Parliament
Karachi, Sindh
In a landmark moment for the first-ever Sindh Children’s Parliament, Syeda Rida Batool Kazmi took oath as Chief Minister after securing a decisive victory with 40 votes on Tuesday December 17, 2024.
Her contender, a ninth grade student from GHS Mithi Tharparkar, Ashok Kumar, trailed behind with 24 votes and became opposition leader. Rida’s success marks a promising beginning for this historic initiative, showcasing young leadership in action.
Thar Education Alliance with support from the Sindh Education & Literacy Department, Reform Support Unit and UNICEF launched an initiative aimed to empower children and promote the right to education across Sindh. Children from 30 districts of Sindh participated in this initiative, two children were selected from each of the districts, while six students were chosen from the Sujawal district due to its low literacy rate. These representatives would serve as the voices of their respective districts in parliament.
Newly elected Chief Minister for Sindh Children’s Parliament, the 10th grade student Syeda Rida Batool Kazmi from GGHSS Tando Allahyar shared while talking with the media that the Children’s Parliament process had inspired her to believe that a woman could be the Chief Minister of Sindh. “Though this initiative focuses on the rights of children, I am confident that, with a well-structured advocacy plan and the support of our representatives, we can drive meaningful change,” she expressed.
Read: Children’s Parliament Sindh Holds First Orientation Session in Karachi
Zainab Khan, an 8th-grade student from Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) School Badin, participated in the parliamentary election process and elected as the Minister for Quality Education highlighted the persistent social taboos surrounding girls’ education, emphasizing that access to education remains a significant challenge. “While everyone acknowledges education as a fundamental right, the reality is far from ideal,” she said. “Through my participation, I aim to bring out-of-school children into the classroom because a child understands the language and struggles of another child better than anyone else.”
Like these two young students, other ministers and members took an oath with the aim of bringing out-of-school children back into the education system and ensuring every child has access to opportunities. This initiative empowers children to speak up more about their rights and draws the attention of the elected parliament to address public issues responsibly. Through this effort, children will have the chance to actively participate in shaping their future. The inclusion of this individual in Parliament is a testament to their merit and dedication to the cause.
Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Chairman Iqbal Detho expressed that the children of Sindh are provided with an opportunity to learn about the protection of their rights and to discuss their educational challenges. He stated that it is the responsibility of elected representatives to safeguard the rights of children. The Sindh Human Rights Commission is actively monitoring the rights of children in Sindh, ensuring access to basic education, and addressing related issues. The Commission also issues directives to the government to take necessary steps in this regard.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Program Manager RSU Dr. Junaid Samoon praised the efforts of the Thar Education Alliance for facilitating children’s participation in the Parliament and for providing comprehensive support for their education and awareness. He assured continued efforts to enhance opportunities for children’s learning and development.
Partab Shivani, Chief Executive Officer of the Thar Education Alliance, stated that, for the first time in Sindh, a Children’s Parliament is being established with the support of UNICEF, Education Department and Reform Support Unit. He explained that the initiative aims to reintegrate out-of-school children into the education system and provide them with better opportunities for learning and growth. (PR)
Read: Thar Children Parliament Holds Session
_____________________
