Islamabad: The Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) and Child Rights Clubs jointly observed a peaceful protest and strongly condemned the attack on  Malala Yousufzai.
In a press release, SPARC stated that this brutal act of violence reflects the desperate state of mind of extremist elements who feel threatened by the bravery and resolve of a 14 year old girl who refused to bow down before their atrocities. It would be true to say that by raising her voice for her right to education and for every child’s right to education. Malala Yousufzai has become an icon of child rights in Pakistan. The assassination attempt represents an attack on a symbol of a progressive Pakistan that stands for peace, tolerance and rights of women and girl children.
In a larger context, the incident points to the deteriorating state of law and order in the country which among other issues has aggravated the already dismal state of child protection in Pakistan. The Valley of Swat bore the brunt of Taliban’s hostility towards education in general and female education in particular. Since the military operation against militants in Swat, the valley has returned to peace and students have resumed going to school. However, the attack on Malala calls for stringent measures to safeguard the rights of girl children in Swat, particularly the right to education.
The participants including civil society representatives and members of child rights clubs called for immediate inquiry into the matter and strict government action to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice. They also demanded for additional measures to promote female education, particularly in underdeveloped areas, vulnerable to conservative militant indoctrination. The incident points to an overt and immediate threat to girl children and female education. The government needs to ensure the removal of the threat so that children, particularly girl children can continue with their education and Pakistan is prevented from becoming the retrogressive state.
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