Children’s Rights – The True Responsibility of Human Society – From Zakopane to Sindh
- The most beautiful and heartwarming scene was watching parents place their young children beside them, playing and laughing with them, sliding down joyfully, giving them moments of thrill and confidence
- Our minds went back to our own country, Pakistan, especially Sindh, where, apart from the children of wealthy and privileged families, a vast majority of children have no access to such freedom and joy, nor will they ever experience it
Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden
The development, prosperity, and bright future of any human society ultimately depend on how it treats its children. Children, who today merely play, learn, and illuminate the world with their innocent smiles, are the very same who will tomorrow emerge as young people, entrepreneurs, scientists, teachers, and leaders. If they receive protection, love, education, and healthcare in childhood, the society of the future will also be secure and prosperous.
Zakopane, the Tatra Mountains, and a Thought
A few days ago, my friend Jan Mangrio and I were visiting the beautiful Polish town of Zakopane. This town is nestled at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, where people from across the world arrive to enjoy the wonders of nature. Among them, many Arab families could also be seen. Using the funicular, we reached the upper slopes to witness the region’s beauty. From there, the panoramic view was breathtaking, and the fragrance of fresh air, along with the surrounding landscapes, so captivated us that we forgot everything else. There was also a fascinating attraction called the gravity slide, where people ride small cars and race downhill at speed.
The most beautiful and heartwarming scene was watching parents place their young children beside them, playing and laughing with them, sliding down joyfully, giving them moments of thrill and confidence. Along with European parents, Arab parents visiting the area were also seen sharing such joy with their children.
But at that very moment, another thought struck our hearts. Our minds went back to our own country, Pakistan, especially Sindh, where, apart from the children of wealthy and privileged families, a vast majority of children have no access to such freedom and joy, nor will they ever experience it. For them, it is common not to have even a safe space for playing or visiting. They spend their time playing in narrow streets. These children live in another world, one stripped of happiness, ruled instead by poverty and loneliness.
Not only are they deprived of recreation and play, but they are also denied their fundamental rights such as education, healthcare, safety, and love. At that moment, a question arose in our minds: how vital are these things for children’s growth? That one small observation in Zakopane made us realize that, beyond education and healthcare, children also need many other basic rights that we often neglect.
The Fundamental Global Rights of Children
In 1989, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which emphasized children’s fundamental rights.
Children’s rights are not just about having food and schooling; it is a broader concept that encompasses every aspect of a child’s mental, physical, and spiritual development. At the international level, certain fundamental rights are recognized, such as every child having a name and identity. Play and recreation are recognized as essential for a child’s natural and cognitive development, enhancing creativity and social skills.
Every child has the right to quality education and knowledge so they can explore their talents. Education not only imparts learning but also shapes character and develops personality. Additionally, children have the right to proper nutrition, a healthy environment, access to medical care, and protection from all forms of violence, abuse, exploitation, forced labor, and war. They also have the right to express their views and participate in social, cultural, and family life.
All these rights are necessary for the complete development of a child and for ensuring a safe future. Unfortunately, in Sindh and across Pakistan, many children are deprived of these very rights.
The Situation in Sindh and Hopes for the Future
In our country, countless children are forced into labor at a very young age instead of receiving an education. Healthcare services remain out of reach, and safe playgrounds or recreational facilities are nearly nonexistent. Even in urban areas, children often live in narrow lanes and unsafe neighborhoods with nowhere to go. In many families, poverty prevents parents from spending time playing with their children, as they remain burdened with work and hardships.
These realities make it clear that children’s rights remain confined to legal books and have yet to become a part of practical life.
Our Shared Responsibility
This is a social issue where not only the government but all of us must recognize our responsibility. We must give our children not just a reason to survive but also the opportunity to live with happiness.
Ensuring children’s rights is the duty of every nation. If we fail to care for their rights today, the dream of building a healthy society and a strong nation cannot be realized. It is necessary for the government to create programs for children’s development and healthcare. Likewise, social organizations and schools should also play their role in raising awareness about children’s rights.
The sight of parents and children sharing joy together in Zakopane’s Tatra Mountains was a lesson for us. Keeping children happy is not mere entertainment; it is essential for their psychological, mental, and physical well-being. If we in Sindh and Pakistan also give children their true rights, including education, healthcare, protection, and happiness, only then can we dream of a bright and safe society.
Let us all work together so that every child in Sindh and Pakistan may have the chance to breathe freely under the open sky and to enjoy happiness in life. We believe that one day, our children will also receive all the facilities they deserve, and their lives will be filled with the light of joy and hope.
Investing in children is, in fact, investing in the future.
Read: When Systems Fail, Children Miss Education
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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.
