Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child

Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child
Abbreviation SPARC
Formation December 17, 1992 (1992-12-17)
Type NGO
Purpose Child rights
Headquarters Islamabad
Region served
Pakistan
Membership
Private
Website sparcpk.org

The Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) is a Pakistani independent non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting the rights of children.

Mission

SPARC was established as an advocacy group for children’s rights.[1] Initially focused on promoting and protecting breastfeeding, it has expanded to child labour, juvenile justice, education and violence against children.[1] It has held "children's parliaments"[2][3] and worked to end corporal punishment in Pakistani schools.[4][5][6]

Operations

SPARC was officially established on December 17, 1992, in Islamabad, Pakistan.[1] SPARC's governing body is run by a board of directors.[1] While the headquarters is located in Islamabad, it has offices in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta, Hyderabad, Multan and Nowshera.[1] 54 Child Rights Committees consisting of local activists operate at the district level.[1]

SPARC has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the United Nations Department of Public Information.[1] It is a partner of Defence for Children International.[1] In 2003, SPARC received the United Nations Recognition Award for highlighting the plight of children and promoting the rights of children in Pakistan.[1] In 2006, SPARC received USAID certification.[1]

SPARC is a member of the Pakistan National Alliance[7] and the International Baby Food Action Network.[8]

Successes

The Protection of Breastfeeding and Young Child Nutrition Ordinance, drafted by founding SPARC member Anees Jillani, was signed in October 2002 and came into force in 2010.[9][10] It superseded the National Infant Feeding Board Rules of 2004.[11] The ordinance has also been adopted by Gilgit-Baltistan, which has special status under a Presidential Order.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "SPARC". SPARC. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Children Parliament elected to promote child rights". The Nation. November 15, 2008.
  3. ↑ "SPARC organises children parliament session". The Nation. November 7, 2010.
  4. ↑ "SPARC for end to corporal punishment in schools". The Nation. June 22, 2009.
  5. ↑ "SPARC calls for end to corporal punishment in schools". Financial Post. February 24, 2011. (at Highbeam, subscription required)
  6. ↑ "NGO: Corporal Punishment of Students in Pakistan Must End". SOS Children's Villages – Canada. June 26, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Breastfeeding practice 'lowest in Pakistan'". The Express Tribune. July 29, 2010.
  8. ↑ Wager, T. "IV – PAKISTAN (2003-2004)" (PDF). SPARC. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  9. ↑ The Network, Islamabad. "Consultative Meeting on Protection of Breastfeeding and Child Nutrition Ordinance 2002".
  10. ↑ Azam, Foiza (February 10, 2010). "Breastfeeding rules finally get Ministry's nod". The Nation.
  11. ↑ Government of Pakistan (August 20, 2004). The Gazette of Pakistan (SRO 84(KE)2004)
  12. ↑ "Cabinet approves 'Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009'". Associated Press of Pakistan. August 29, 2009.
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