United Nations Goals for Child Welfare in Pakistan: An Analysis of Midpoint Agenda

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to examine Pakistan's child welfare policies and programs in light of the United Nations' goals for 2030. The study aims to examine Pakistan's performance in child-related SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and to compare it to its neighbors, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India. As a 'Quant-Qual Cross-sectional Study,' the researchers reviewed a number of secondary data sources available through their websites. Along with these many sources of quantitative data, the researchers also obtained qualitative information (e.g., child policies, programs, legislation, plans of action, etc.). It was a halfway evaluation, named the "Midpoint Agenda," of what is to be achieved by 2030. The Midpoint Agenda was analyzed in May 2024, nearly halfway through the UN goals set in 2015. The analysis of data leads us to the conclusion that child welfare in Pakistan remains at a residual level after 77 years. The welfare personnel's justified attitude has made it clear that Pakistan's residual welfare is the result of insufficient public investment and poor governance. Urgent attention is also required to overhaul all child welfare programs and instruments.