|PIC1|The launch ceremony of a new collaborative book between Christian relief agency World Vision and Plan Pakistan, My Rights, was held at the Mansehra Press Club Hall recently.

Students of public and private schools, representives from the partner organisations, local authorities, elected representatives and parents, and teachers celebrated the launch of the book, which aims to raise awareness of the rights of children in Pakistan.

My Rights, which launched in both Urdu and English, highlights 12 out of the 41 articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, pertinent to issues affecting children in Pakistan.

”Since the earthquake World Vision has been working on child protection in various parts of quake-ravaged Mansehra district, and was very concerned about child rights in the earthquake-affected regions of Pakistan,” said Richard Mukhwana, World Vision Child Protection Officer.

”We decided to take practical steps in this direction and outline out a comprehensive strategy on child rights awareness campaign among the parents and teachers and people from all walks of life.” he explained.

"Our dilemma is that parents in this part of the World have quite different concept of child rights and the book 'My Rights' will greatly help the parents in changing their basic perception of the child rights added Jawaad Khan of UNICEF. 'It will also be of great help in empowering the powerless children.”

|AD|He continued that freedom of expression and participation in decision making are most important rights of children for their well being which are enshrined by the Articles of CRC included in this book.

Plan Pakistan's Country Director Mia Haglud Heelas said, “Child and the child rights are most important to us and the book 'My Rights' has been published for awareness on child rights. The parents and teachers will have to join hands for an awareness campaign on the rights of the child as we want to launch this campaign throughout Pakistan.”

She said, “We have to think about the vulnerable children in the earthquake-affected regions and to involve communities on child rights awareness.”

The book carries messages from Sigurd Hanson former Country Director of World Vision Pakistan, Mia Haglud Heelas Country Director of Plan Pakistan and Shakeel Qadir Mansehra District Coordination Officer.

In Hanson's message, he underlines the importance of World Vision as a child focused organisation in undertaking such an initiative in accordance with the UN Convention of the rights of the Child to raise awareness on the issues affecting children in Pakistan.

”Together let us strive to understand and respect children. Let us create and environment in which they are not only protected but are enabled to thrive, for they the future citizens and leaders of this great country.” states Hanson.