Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Chairperson Sarah Ahmad brought laurels to Pakistan by winning “Global Collaborative Award” from Global Collaborative in Rome, Italy, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.

Global Collaborative is a collaboration of over 50 international child welfare and advocacy organisations, faith-based institutions, survivor networks, and governments working together to protect children and bring healing to survivors of abuse.

Sarah Ahmad received “Global Collaborative Award” from Dr Jennifer Wortham, CEO of Global Collaborative, for her services in preventing the exploitation of children and protecting the rights of them.

Apart from Pakistan, only 10 people from around the world had been awarded the “Global Collaborative Award” for working to prevent exploitation of children and protect their rights.

The director of UNICEF, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Child USA, the first lady of Sierra Leone, professors from Harvard University and Hollywood actor Tyler Perry were among the recipients of the award.

The award ceremony took place in Rome, Italy and was attended by politicians, international NGOs, Inter-faith leaders, philanthropists, survivors of child abuse, journalists and other notables.

It was a celebration of last week announcement by the United Nations that declared November 18 as the World Day for Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, Exploitation and Violence.

“It is an honour for me and for Pakistan to receive this award,” CPWB Chairperson Sarah Ahmad said while addressing the award ceremony.

“I am grateful to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi for giving me the opportunity to work and always supporting me,” she added.

“I dedicate the ‘Global Collaborative Award’ to all the children of Pakistan. I would like to thank my team at the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau whose work has helped me receive this award,” she stated.

“My aim is to provide protection to all the helpless and neglected children and to prevent child exploitation,” she maintained.

“There is more responsibility than ever to protect children from exploitation and protect their rights, and I will fulfil this responsibility in a better way,” she vowed.

 

Reporter: Komal Aslam