Child Safety and the Future of the Nation
The children are the greatest asset of our country and its future lies on them. The well-being of humanity depends on nurturing them properly.
Their dreams form the foundation of a strong and prosperous nation of tomorrow; yet, has that foundation not become shaky today?
We must learn from the horrific picture recently reflected in the six-month media monitoring report of the development organization ‘Children Are All’ and take precautionary measures everywhere, including in the family, society, and educational institutions.
According to the data from the abovementioned report, at least 86 children fell victim to murder and 336 children were subjected to brutal sexual abuse in the country during the first six months of 2026 alone.
A comparison with the statistics for the entire year of 2025 reveals that these crimes have increased to an alarming level in just six months.
Tragically, the majority of the 86 children killed were helpless infants and toddlers aged zero to six—completely unable to protect themselves.
Besides, more than half of the 336 children subjected to sexual abuse were innocent youngsters aged seven to twelve. Even children with speech, intellectual, and physical disabilities were not spared from this monstrous lust!
An even more alarming aspect is that the perpetrators are often individuals well-known to the children. More than half of these children have been brutally killed or abused at the hands of parents, close relatives, neighbours, teachers, or local acquaintances.
Why are the home and familiar surroundings—which ought to be the safest havens for a child—transforming into such dangerous places?
These innocent children are primarily falling victim to family disputes, personal grievances, long-standing feuds, and bestial lust.
It sends a shudder down one’s spine to contemplate the abyss of darkness into which this profound social and moral decay is dragging us—a reality where children are unsafe even within their own homes or among acquaintances.
Therefore, there must be no delay in the trial of accused persons involved in child abuse and related crimes.
Speedy trials through special tribunals must be ensured so that no one dares to commit such crimes in the future. It is imperative to immediately establish a ‘National Child Commission’ to safeguard, monitor, and protect the rights of children.
The full implementation of the ‘Child Act-2013’ is also essential. Specific ‘Child Protection Policies’ must be formulated and enforced compulsorily in all educational institutions, children’s homes and social service organizations.
Guardians in families and society must be more vigilant and careful about the safety of their children. If we fail to create a safe environment for children, the entire country will one day become extremely unsafe.
