Exploring Child Protection Systems in Sindh, Pakistan: Gaps, Challenges, and Social Work Responses
Keywords:
Child Protection, Social Work Practice, Institutional Gaps, Challenges, Sindh, PakistanAbstract
Child protection in Sindh Pakistan remains under-resourced and fragmented, faced by legislative inconsistencies, institutional capacity deficits and marinization of Social Work as a professional discipline. Despite constitutional provisions and provincial child protection legislation, millions of children across Sindh, continue to face abuse, neglect, trafficking, child marriage and child labour with limited access to formal protective services. Present study examines the structural gaps and operational challenges in child protection services in Sindh and investigates the current and potential roles of social workers and civil society organizations in addressing these gaps. A qualitative research design was employed, using semi structured in-depth interviews with 28 purposively selected participants. The data was analyzed through thematic analysis following the six-phase framework of Braun and Clarke. The study revealed critical system failures, lack of trained Social Workers, Stigma surrounding child abuse and weak inter-agency coordination. Child protection services demand an integrated approach combining legislative reforms, professional capacity building, community sensitization, and strengthening inter-agency coordination. The study offers actionable recommendations for policy makers, social workers, practitioners and civil society.
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