Pakistan

This page was developed in November 2024 with a collection of in-country GISP partners. It was designed to provide a snapshot of key policies, guidelines, stakeholders, resources, and more so that implementers, donors, and decision makers have a place to find out what has been done and who they can connect with to learn more as they plan and carry out parent and caregiver support interventions. If you have updated information that you wish to see reflected on this page, please contact info@support-parents.org.

Country Snapshots on Parent and Caregiver Support > Pakistan

Population information

Enabling environment

  • The National Commission for Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD) works under the Ministry of Human Rights. The NCCWD is responsible for creating a child-friendly society that places children at the center of development, recognizes their individuality, respects and values their voices, observes their best interests in every sphere of life, and protects them from violence, abuse, and exploitation. It also coordinates and monitors the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and other national and international obligations and submits periodic reports.
  • The National Commission on the Rights of the Child Act 2017 set up the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) to review policies, build awareness, provide technical support, and advise on how children’s rights can be promoted, protected, and fulfilled.
  • The Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives, in collaboration with UNICEF, launched three reports in 2022 on early childhood development (ECD) policy mapping, national policy dialogue, and the parenting package (Key Family Care Practices). It also advised that interventions be part of the fiscal budget 2022-2023 and that they be implemented using a coordinated approach.
  • The National Commission on the Status of Women developed The Art of Parenting: Manual for Master Trainers in collaboration with partners. The manual offers guidance for parents of children from birth to 19 years. It is divided into two sections: “Aghosh” for early childhood (0 to 9 years) and “Parvarish” for adolescents (9 to 19 years). The manual recognizes the critical role parents play and strives to equip them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and patience.
  • The Pakistan Alliance for Early Childhood (PAFEC) brings ECD stakeholders together to promote holistic and inclusive ECD through research, experience sharing, policy advocacy, networking, awareness raising, and professional development.
  • UNICEF, in partnership with government, plays a key role and promotes parenting through its ECD programs, parenting education and awareness campaigns, and health and nutrition support. UNICEF also advocates for policies that support parents and focuses on reaching the most marginalized families.
  • In November 2024, the government made a pledge related to increasing parent and caregiver support and other themes during the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children. It aims at:
    • Approximately 28 million parents and caregivers will be supported to practice positive, non-violent discipline through nationwide parenting interventions with an explicit focus on addressing the social and gender norms that underpin violence.

PARENTING ACTORS

Note: GISP has neither reviewed nor is it endorsing any of the interventions below. They are included to showcase the diversity of actors supporting parents and to encourage collaboration and resource sharing. The interventions listed may no longer be active but can serve as examples or reference points.

Implementing Organization
Program Description
Target Group

Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

The Foundations for Children program aims to increase the number of children accessing quality ECD provision in their homes, communities, and education and health centers. It works to increase families’ engagement in providing responsive nurturing care and stimulation to meet children’s needs.

Parents of children birth to age 6

Aga Khan University Medical College 

The Parenting Education Readiness Program (ECD PREP) offers parents a wide range of services on responsive caregiving integrated into existing services.

Expectant parents and parents of children under age 8

Aga Khan University Hospital

The Early Childhood Parenting Clinic provides parents with resources to enable their child’s early development through responsive caregiving and early stimulation. It aims to enhance parental awareness, provide evidence-based guidance, support holistic child development, and facilitate parental confidence.

Expectant parents and parents of newborns and young children

Hashoo Hunar Association

The ECD program works to improve access to and quality of education through parental sessions and teacher training programs. The training builds the capacity of parents to create a conducive learning environment that supports children’s holistic development leading to national progress.

Educators and parents of children under age 8

Ismaili Council Pakistan

Parwaaz ECD program helps parents learn how to make the most of everyday experiences–listening, talking, playing, singing, sharing stories–as learning opportunities for their children. Parents come for facilitated group sessions where they practice interactive activities with their child and learn key messages about child development.

Parents with children from 6 months to age 3

Rupani Foundation

The ECD program has a unique model that reaches newlywed couples, pregnant women, parents, grandparents, and children to help them nurture the child and create harmony in the family. Interventions are delivered through a range of modalities in the home and at ECD centers.

Expectant parents and parents and grandparents of children under age 8

resources

News, publications, and program materials from parenting actors

Data and evidence