User:Saadiesikandar/sandbox

Roshni Helpline is a non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO) in Pakistan, founded by Muhammad Ali. The primary aims of the foundation are services for the recovery of missing children, awareness and prevention of child abuse, facilitating women of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and protection of minorities. Muhammad Ali reserved the dialing number 1138 as an important platform for families of mis

sing children for quick and safe recovery of their children.

History
Roshni Helpline took root in 2006 since there were no existing avenues to address the issue of missing children. The Organization is registered as Roshni Research & Development Welfare Organization (Roshni Helpline) with the Social Welfare Wing Community Development Department, City District Government Karachi Under the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration & Control) Ordinance, 1961 (XLVI of 1961).

Roshni started with only a few volunteers and the NGO now covers a wide spectrum of regions all over Pakistan recovering children, who have been abducted or gone missing. Roshni has developed a uniquely successful model for the recovery of missing and exploited children. In addition to raising media visibility around rarely discussed issues like child exploitation and sexual abuse, the organization is using its partnerships with police and local government to press for better implementation of child protection laws in coordination with police and child protective services.

Child Recovery & Protection
Roshni Helpline came into being in 2006. The Roshni Helpline has developed a unique Referral System in liaison with law enforcement agencies; legal advocacy groups and individuals; children and women rights organizations and activists and media organizations. The system, as was its aim, has helped in: quick and safe recovery of missing children; in follow-up investigation into the causes of children missing; in development of a mechanism for their protection and safety of children, in extending psychosocial help and support for the affected families. The organization is also protecting the women against gender based violence issues. The organization is providing psychological and legal support to Gender Based Violence (GBV) survivors and other services through referral partners.

1138 Helpline

Thousands of children go missing in Pakistan each year but hardly 5 % of them are found. Children rights are very rarely discussed. Parents of missing children hardly find any solace by the authorities. There is hardly any progress made on missing children by the authorities.

In the face of such challenges, 1st missing children helpline (1138) was launched by Roshni Helpline. The “Child Complaint and Response Center” addresses the complaints related to welfare and protection of children in close coordination with Government Departments and relevant stakeholders. Since its inception, Roshni now receives over a thousand calls each month on their 4-digit helpline.

The organization also has an SMS Service for the ease of public in registering the cases of missing children.

Kites of Hope

Roshni helpline organized a kite flying event named “Kites for Hope.” Each kite had a picture of a kid who had gone missing for known and unknown reasons along with the Roshni helpline number. More than 4000 kites were distributed among families attending the event.

The point of Kites for Hope was to raise awareness regarding the issue of missing children. Roshni ended up recovering 3 children through this event.

Counselling

Counseling sessions are offered to children before and after reunification with their families by the Roshni Helpline. Counselling is provided to parents as well.

Violence Against Women
Roshni is also working on empowering women, and to address the physical and emotional consequences of gender-based violence. Roshni offers psychosocial assistance, referral services, advocacy to support women and promote the right of all women and girls to live free of violence and abuse. The organization has also established a free helpline 0800-80900 for women whose rights are being violated.

Protection of Minorities
Roshni believes that Pakistan’s future depends on all of its residents enjoying meaningful opportunities to improve their quality of life. Roshni is working tirelessly for the rights of minorities, their capacity building and their recognition.

International Presence
Roshni Helpline’s assistance was beseeched by the civil society and government of Nepal during the April 2015 Nepal earthquake. Many children were separated from their families. Several reports suggested that many survivors were preyed upon by human traffickers.

Roshni helpline assisted the locals in setting up an efficient system for the recovery of missing children. Roshni also trained local organization working in Nepal for the search and recovery of missing children.