Children in Pakistan face multiple forms of violence and exploitation, including physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, as well as child labor and trafficking. Despite Pakistan ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child nearly 30 years ago, the country still lacks a coordinated, public child protection and referral system that meets international standards.
The Child Labour Survey (CLS) was launched to generate up-to-date information on the prevalence, causes, and consequences of child labour in Pakistan, in line with the country’s ratification of ILO Conventions 138 and 182. CLS has been conducted in the 5 provinces of Pakistan. It focuses on the incidence, causes and consequences of child labour in the region, along with other socio-economic indicators. This data will guide data-driven planning in the future for the province to eliminate child labour.

What methods will be employed?
UNICEF engaged the Center for Evaluation and Development (C4ED) to deliver the survey. C4ED worked closely with UNICEF, provincial Labour Departments, Bureaus of Statistics, and Planning and Development Departments to ensure high data quality for the implementation of CLS. This involved adapting the ILO-SIMPOC questionnaire, setting up data management systems, supporting survey planning, and providing both desk-based and field-level monitoring through its Pakistan subsidiary, which served as an independent third-party monitor in each province. The survey was a large-scale exercise across seven provinces and territories, covering survey design, enumerator training, capacity building, data collection, cleaning, and statistical analysis. Regular monitoring and field mission reports were shared with UNICEF and provincial governments, documenting challenges and lessons learned. After data collection, C4ED cleaned and analyzed the datasets, developed reports in consultation with provincial stakeholders, and ensured contextual accuracy. Results were validated by provincial governments before broader dissemination, guiding policymakers in efforts to reduce child labour in line with international conventions, with a particular focus on its worst forms.