Early childhood is considered the most important phase in life, laying the foundation for physical, emotional, and intellectual wellbeing. What happens to a child in this period can determine his or her developmental trajectory, and academic and earning capacity through life.

Early childhood development (ECD) is the cornerstone upon which the future of society is built. The critical period from birth to eight years lays the foundation for a child's lifelong learning, health, and well-being. Despite its significant importance, majority of the children in Pakistan are still denied access to the ECD programmes. Pakistan has a population of over 241.5 million, and about 14% of them are children under five years old.

The situation surrounding ECD in Pakistan is complex in general, with significant challenges in various areas. As per UNICEF Pakistan's data:

• Health, survival, and child mortality stand at 74 per 1,000 live births, infant mortality at 62 per 1,000 live births, and neonatal mortality at 39 per 1,000 live births
• While 66% of children are fully immunized (71% in urban areas and 63% in rural areas), there are still 0.6 million children with zero immunization
• 40.2% of children under 12 months are stunted, 17.5% (or 6 million) children suffering from wasting, 48% exclusively breastfed, and 20% initiating breastfeeding early
• 46% of children suffer from anemia, and 96% do not receive a minimally acceptable diet
• 32% of children lack access to toilet facilities with inadequate focus on baby WASH
• The country has the second-highest proportion of children with learning poverty (75%) in the region
• There are 22.6 million out-of-school children (OOSCs) aged 5-16, accounting for 44% of the total population in this age group, with 52% being girls
• Only 30% of children receive early stimulation, 3% have access to two or more books at home, and just 3% of fathers engaged in their children's care
• 80% to 85% of children experience some form of violence

The fragmentation of services for children further complicates matters, as there is no integration among different sectors, leading to huge inequalities across age, gender, and geographical lines, with wide disparities between rural and urban regions and among population segments with varying socioeconomic profiles.

To address these challenges and to promote ECD in the country, national and provincial governments, along with the private sector and academia, have been undertaking significant initiatives for the last many years. These include the development of an ECD Policy Framework and standards, implementation of maternal and child health and nutrition programmes, formulation of curricula and policies for Early Childhood Care & Education, training of teachers and caregivers, as well as advocacy and mass awareness initiatives.

Previous Conferences

The 4th International Conference on Early Childhood Development, with the theme "Nurturing for Transforming Lives - The Power of Early Childhood Development," was held on February 22nd and 23rd, 2023, at the Allama Iqbal Open University in Islamabad. The conference brought together over 350 participants from various sectors, including policymakers, legislators, ECD professionals, researchers, practitioners, civil society actors, UN agencies, donors, academicians, students, and parent representatives.

Building on the progress of the previous conferences, the key partners are planning to organize the 5th conference in April 2025 under the theme 'Nurturing Bright Beginnings for Shaping a Better Tomorrow: Investing in Early Years'. This conference aims to explore the multifaceted landscape of ECD, examining diverse practices and their alignment with the Nurturing Care Framework that promotes optimal child development and the impact it has on individuals, families, and communities.