In a historic event, the Sindh Children’s Parliament marked its inaugural session with Syeda Rida Batool Kazmi taking oath as the first Chief Minister. Rida, a 10th-grade student from GGHSS Tando Allahyar, secured a decisive victory with 40 votes, while her opponent, Ashok Kumar, a ninth-grader from GHS Mithi Tharparkar, received 24 votes and assumed the role of opposition leader.
Rida’s election symbolizes a milestone in youth leadership and highlights the potential of young voices in driving meaningful change.
A Platform for Youth Advocacy
The Sindh Children’s Parliament is an initiative launched by the Thar Education Alliance, with support from the Sindh Education & Literacy Department (SE&LD), Reform Support Unit (RSU), and UNICEF. It aims to empower children and promote the right to education across Sindh.
Children from 30 districts participated in this unique initiative, with two representatives selected from each district and six from Sujawal district. These young parliamentarians serve as advocates for their communities, voicing their concerns and aspirations in the parliamentary process.
Inspiring Leadership and Vision
Speaking to the media, Rida expressed how the Children’s Parliament inspired her belief in women’s leadership in Sindh.
“Though this initiative focuses on children’s rights, I am confident that, with a structured advocacy plan and collective efforts, we can create meaningful change,” she said.
Zainab Khan, an 8th-grade student from SEF PSP Badin, was elected Minister for Quality Education. She emphasized the need for inclusive education and vowed to bring out-of-school children back into classrooms.
“Education is a fundamental right, but the reality doesn’t reflect this. As children, we can understand and address the struggles of our peers more effectively,” she stated.
Collective Efforts for Educational Reform
The newly elected ministers and members of the Sindh Children’s Parliament pledged to prioritize reintegrating out-of-school children into the education system and ensuring every child has access to opportunities for growth and learning.
Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Chairman Iqbal Ditho highlighted the commission’s active role in safeguarding children’s rights, ensuring access to basic education, and addressing related challenges. He emphasized the importance of government action in response to the commission’s directives.
Building a Better Future
Partab Shivani, CEO of the Thar Education Alliance, described the initiative as a groundbreaking step for Sindh. He explained that the Children’s Parliament aims to address the issue of out-of-school children while providing better educational opportunities.
“This is the first time in Sindh’s history that such a platform has been created for children. With the support of UNICEF, the Education Department, and RSU, we are working towards reintegrating marginalized children into the education system,” he said.
The Sindh Children’s Parliament stands as a beacon of hope, empowering young leaders to advocate for the rights of children and shape the future of education in the province.
