In a bold and unprecedented move, the Punjab government has announced that it will introduce a comprehensive curriculum on child sexual abuse prevention in all public and private schools across the province. The initiative, which is part of the Punjab Child Protection Policy 2023, aims to educate children, teachers and parents about the causes, consequences and prevention of child sexual abuse, and to empower them to report and seek help in case of any incident.
The curriculum, which will be taught from grade one to ten, will cover topics such as body safety, consent, boundaries, online safety, gender equality, diversity and inclusion. The curriculum will also address the myths and misconceptions that fuel the culture of silence and stigma around child sexual abuse. The government hopes that by raising awareness and sensitizing the society, it will be able to curb the alarming rise of child sexual abuse cases in the province.
According to the latest data from Sahil, an NGO working for child rights, Punjab recorded 1,489 cases of child sexual abuse in the first six months of 2023, which is 42% of the total cases reported in Pakistan. The majority of the victims were girls aged between 11 and 15 years, and most of the perpetrators were known to them. The NGO also revealed that only 7% of the cases were registered with the police, and only 2% resulted in convictions.
The Punjab government has acknowledged that child sexual abuse is a serious and widespread problem that needs urgent attention and action. It has vowed to implement the curriculum with full commitment and cooperation from all stakeholders, including the education department, school administrations, teachers’ unions, civil society organizations and media. It has also assured that it will provide adequate training and resources to the teachers and counselors who will deliver the curriculum.
The initiative has been welcomed and applauded by various national and international experts and activists working for child protection. They have termed it as a historic and progressive step that will not only save millions of children from potential harm, but also create a safer and healthier environment for them to grow and thrive.