LAHORE: Lahore Development Authority (LDA), in a first of its kind activity, signed an MoU with the Unicef Pakistan, on Monday to make the provincial capital a safe city for children.
LDA DG Tahir Farooq and Unicef Pakistan Representative Pernille Ironside signed the MoU while the ceremony was attended by Unicef representatives, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan, Provincial Minister for Primary Health Khawaja Imran Nazir, LDA Vice Chairman Mian Marghoob Ahmed, Chairperson Punjab Women Protection Authority Hina Pervaiz Butt, Chairperson Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Sarah Ahmed and Chairperson Punjab Social Protection Authority Jahan Ara Wattoo.
It decided to place children’s rights, equality and inclusion at the heart of urban planning. Accordingly, the participation of children, youth and communities in decision-making will be promoted. Safe public spaces, road safety, environmental sustainability and climate change are included in the agreement, while improvements in housing and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure are also on the agenda.
Under this MoU, the collaboration with civil society, academia, the private sector and the media will be promoted and a joint working group will be established to review progress. According to the agreement, performance will also be measured and impacts will be monitored under a results-based framework.
On this occasion, children from LDA schools presented a play to make Lahore safe. PA Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan said that with more than 40 percent of Pakistan’s population comprising children, safe and inclusive cities are the need of the hour. Lahore’s first step towards becoming a ‘Child Friendly-City’ was a historic development.
PA Speaker said that the Punjab Assembly was playing an active role in child rights and it will fully support and effectively monitor the project. He said that an accessibility audit for special needs was essential and the goals and timelines of the project should be made public for transparency.
