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Madadgaar Helpline

Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA)

Background

MADADGAAR is Pakistan's first Helpline for children and women. It responds to distress calls by offering immediate assistance and linking them to long-term rehabilitation.

This Non-Government Organization (NGO)* was created to serve as the first point of contact for victims of violence, abuse and exploitation through guidance and referrals to 230 partners (including shelters, hospitals, lawyers, law enforcement agencies, media etc) in all 18 towns of Karachi, MADADGAAR supports children and women with immediate assistance in pre, during and post crisis situations.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) make it incumbent upon the state and civil society to ensure prevention, redress and rehabilitation of children and women, who are the most depressed class of society. It is they who suffer most due to violation of their rights and exploitation and abuse - sexual and/or physical.

Having the bonds of a family shattered by a child's disappearance is a highly emotional and traumatic experience for both the child and the family. Aggrieved families often require assistance on many different levels, including technical, legal and emotional support. Parents and guardians of missing and exploited children need assistance in taking the most effective steps toward the safe recovery or rehabilitation of their children. At this moment of extreme uncertainty and confusion, CMC provides the requisite support. CMC was created to enhance the child protection system in Pakistan through advocacy for missing and exploited children.

As MADADGAAR plays its role to support the women and children of Pakistan, there are some unmistakable signs pointing to a positive change in making the Civil Society groups are now playing an increasingly effective role for creating an enabling legal and policy environment. Positively, the government has taken some proactive measures and promulgated the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance 2000, which provides for the protection of Juveniles involved in criminal litigation; it has also drafted a National Policy and Plan of Action against Sexual Abuse & Exploitation of Children (SAEC) in collaboration with civil society organizations. LHRLA is part of the Core Group, assisting the National Commission of Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD). It has been in the frontline of civil society organizations and accoreded international recognition for its important role.