Partners
The Pakistan Parenting resources were developed through a collaboration of Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) with the National Institute of Psychology at Quaid-i-Azam University in Pakistan, the University of Oxford, the WHO, UNICEF, UNODC, the Early Childhood Development Action Network, the Global Initiative to Support Parents, International Rescue Committee, Wasila Welfare Foundation, Shauoor Welfare Foundation, and other international agencies. Funders: UKRI GCRF Accelerating Achievement for Africa's Adolescents Hub; GCRF Sustainable Impact Fund; Oak Philanthropy for ‘Global Parenting Initiative’.
Context
The devastating floods in Pakistan have led to the loss of over 1700 lives and exposed about 7.6 million children to several risks. Families have experienced displacement, death, hardships and financial stress, and parents and caregivers must provide 24/7 care, alongside increased stress and trauma. Exposure to trauma, hardships, changes in parenting behaviours, violence, and a lack of accessible services are among common risk factors for adverse child outcomes. However, positive parenting could provide a protective buffer for children’s mental health and wellbeing in humanitarian crisis contexts.
Our Response
Our PLH Team at the University of Oxford, in collaboration with the National Institute of Psychology at Quaid-i-Azam University in Pakistan, the University of Oxford, the WHO, UNICEF, UNODC, the Global Initiative to Support Parents, the Early Childhood Development Action Network, International Rescue Committee, Wasila Welfare Foundation, Shauoor Welfare Foundation, and other NGOs have created 12 open-source evidence-based1 parenting tips to help parents and children cope during this climate crisis. These 12 resources, translated into Urdu, Sindhi, Pushto, Saraiki, Punjabi, Hindko and Balochi, include tips to:
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Help parents and children cope in a crisis
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Protect children from sexual harassment
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Support children when someone they love dies
All tips can be found on the Pakistan Parenting website and in the Pakistan Parenting Resources Google Drive, and are currently being developed into TikTok videos and PSAs
Reach
So far, these tips have been shared directly with about 100 organisations, including governmental and non-governmental organisations in Pakistan, UN agencies, and academic institutions. They have also been shared via broadcast on a national radio station in Pakistan. We will continue to share the tips widely so that they reach the families who need them.
