UNICEF says it is strengthening child protection in Pakistan by establishing District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) in vulnerable areas, and that three more of its DCPUs are set to become operational by April 2025 to ensure vulnerable children receive essential care.

In an article, the agency says these units provide critical services to children facing abuse, neglect, and violence. In Rajanpur, one such unit has already handled over 135 cases since its launch in 2024, offering medical, psychological, and legal support to those in need. *Athena, a young survivor, is one of the many children whose lives have been transformed by this initiative. With Sweden's humanitarian support, UNICEF established two District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) in 2024, focusing on flood-prone areas to strengthen child protection services.

Since its launch, the DCPU in Rajanpur has managed over 135 cases of children in critical need. "These units improve how child protection cases are handled and make it easier to connect children with the right services," says Zahida Manzoor, Child Protection Officer at UNICEF Lahore Field Office.

One such case is Athena, a five-year-old girl from a rural neighborhood on the outskirts of Rajanpur. A year ago, she was abducted and assaulted by a sanitary worker while her father, Ahmed, was at work. Found hours later in an abandoned mud house, she survived but lost her ability to speak, collapsing from trauma.

Medical treatment kept her alive, but her family, overwhelmed by legal battles, was unaware of her long-term mental health needs. The DCPU stepped in, providing psychological support. "We may not be able to prevent every crime, but we can help families heal—if they reach us in time," says Syed Muzammil Karim, one of the caseworkers supporting Athena’s family.

Awais Nasir, a psychologist at the DCPU, used therapy sessions, play therapy, and breathing exercises to help Athena recover. Regular sessions involved her school and family, ensuring a supportive environment.

Beyond individual cases, the DCPU educates families about abuse prevention. "Explaining good touch, bad touch is different in Rajanpur," Nasir explains. "We teach children to not allow anyone to touch them at all unless their parents are present and it is for a purpose, such as a medical checkup."

Athena is now laughing and playing again. "She is alive again," Ahmed shares. While her recovery continues, her progress is heartening.

Ahmed highlights one major challenge—legal assistance. "The legal system is slow, and child protection cases often do not get the attention they deserve," he says, suggesting that a lawyer on staff could help families navigate the justice system. “The process of support only has a beginning, but never an end,” Muzammil adds.

Names Athena and Ahmed have been changed to protect the family’s privacy