Why We Act
At Little Leaders International (LLI), we act because millions of children in Pakistan face barriers that deny them education, safety, and the chance to build a better future. Our mission is rooted in responding to this urgent need with focused, compassionate, and effective action.
The Challenge
The reality we face:
Populous Country
Pakistan is the world’s fifth most populous country, with children making up 45% of its population (UNICEF, 2020).
Children Out of School
An estimated 22.8 million children aged 5–16 are out of school — the second highest globally (UNICEF, 2022).
Child Labour
Approximately 8.5 million children work, many in hazardous and exploitative labor (ILO, DAWN 2020).
Bonded Slavery
Pakistan ranks 18th globally for modern slavery, with 2.3 million people affected, primarily through bonded labor in agriculture and brick kilns (Global Slavery Index, 2023).
Religion Based Discrimination
Children from religious minorities often face compounded disadvantages — economic, social, and institutional exclusion (Malik, 2014).
Rights & Commitments
These stark realities drive our urgent commitment to protect and empower the most vulnerable children.
Free Education
Pakistan’s 1973 Constitution guarantees free education and prohibits hazardous child labor — yet many children remain deprived of these rights.
Child Rights
By ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Pakistan has pledged to uphold the rights to survival, development, protection, and participation for every child.
LLI’s work is grounded in these national laws and international agreements, bridging the gap between policy and practice to ensure marginalized children receive the protection and opportunities they deserve.