A little girl neatly dressed in her school uniform eagerly raises her hand as she is the only one to know the answer to the teacher’s question. Next, her mother screams in anger asking her to make bread for her brother who had just arrived exhausted from the factory where he worked. Little Ainnie’s dream shatters at that very moment!

For some, the things that others take for granted are a privilege that they can only dream for.

There are 22.84 million children in Pakistan just like little Ainnie and her brother who are out of school. Such an alarming number is reflective of a highly unequal society where human rights and fundamental freedom are distant ideas.

It is important to understand the significance of inclusion and equality in society for its well-being.

Basic primary education is a fundamental human right that contributes to a constructive social environment. We must work to build an atmosphere where everyone feels safe and encouraged to participate and improve their social surroundings.

Today is the UN Zero Discrimination Day.
To eliminate discrimination, there is a need to develop the tools for liberation; tools that emerge out of educating the mind and simultaneously building skills such as critical thinking, peace and tolerance and problem-solving abilities to practice collective improvement of our social landscape.
Children’s Literature Festivals particularly emphasize upon ‘Inclusion’ by having ALL schools from Public and Private Sectors, Special Education Department and Non Formal Education Centers, etc. to actively participate in the festivals. It is on purpose that CLF remains a non-ticketed, public event making quality education services accessible for ALL.

The ideal society can be achieved through active and continuous involvement of its members, enhanced through consistent learning and realized by practicing active citizenship which is learned through exploring different opportunities. This follows out of a system of education that encourages equal participation in order to understand one’s consequences and map out appropriate solutions.

What are some other ways we can practice emancipation of human rights to end discrimination for development of our society?

Our suggested read for the day: Children of Light by Fauzia Aziz Minallah

Blog by Arooba Haider