Equitable & Inclusive Educationfor Children
SEARCH is committed to advancing equitable and inclusive education in Pakistan through both formal and non-formal programs, with a deliberate focus on the girl child. The organization's approach is holistic, integrating technical and economic resilient skills, life skills, and school health and nutrition into its educational initiatives. SEARCH is a leading advocate for improving and promoting girls' education, working tirelessly with decision-makers at all levels to increase education financing, remove systemic barriers, and integrate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) into the curriculum. To address the challenge of out-of-school children, SEARCH champions the scaling up of non-formal education pathways to facilitate their entry into the mainstream system. Recognizing Pakistan's vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters, SEARCH prioritizes Education in Emergencies, ensuring educational continuity and preventing dropouts during crises. The organization's advocacy also extends to securing increased financing for girls' education and investing in school infrastructure with girl-focused facilities, thereby creating a supportive and conducive learning environment that tackles the root causes of educational inequality.
Child Protection & Rights Governance for Children
SEARCH organization is deeply committed to the holistic well-being of children, recognizing their inherent rights and the need for comprehensive protection. Our work centers around strengthening child protection systems by advocating and raising awareness, training stakeholders and community members, providing direct support to children who have experienced abuse, formation and strengthening informal communities based child protection systems and strengthening referral pathways. We also promote effective child rights governance by monitoring the implementation of child rights legislation, advocating for increased investment in child well-being, empowering children to participate in decision-making, and conducting research to inform policy. Through our integrated approach, SEARCH organization strives to create a safe, nurturing, and just environment where all children can thrive and reach their full potential.
Future-Ready Economic Resilient Skills Development for Children & Communities
SEARCH's programming is centered on fostering Future-Ready Economic Resilient Skills Development, with a deliberate focus on youth and communities, particularly young girls and women. Recognizing the transformative potential of a skilled workforce, the organization's development approach is to equip these demographics with market-relevant skills that are resilient to future economic shifts. This strategic empowerment not only prepares them for effective participation in the national economy but also strengthens their capacity to secure a stable livelihood and contribute to the financial well-being of their families. By prioritizing the most vulnerable populations, SEARCH's initiatives build a foundation for long-term economic stability and human capital development.
WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) for Children & Communities
SEARCH is an organization dedicated to fostering climate-resilient WASH solutions, thereby ensuring sustainable access to safe drinking water. Their approach encompasses a multi-pronged strategy that includes community-based capacity building on effective water use and preservation, alongside raising awareness about the critical link between climate change and water resources. A key pillar of their work is the empowerment of adolescent girls through the provision of Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)-focused WASH facilities. By integrating MHM into education policies and sector plans, and generating robust research for policy advocacy, SEARCH champions the rights and dignity of young women. Furthermore, recognizing the heightened vulnerability of communities during crises, SEARCH integrates WASH provisions into its humanitarian responses, ensuring the continuity of essential services and mitigating public health risks in emergency contexts.
Climate Resilience & Environmental Stewardship for Children & Communities
Given Pakistan's extreme vulnerability to climate change, which ranks among the highest globally, SEARCH is strategically engaged in strengthening climate resilience and environmental stewardship. The organization collaborates with policymakers and local communities to develop evidence-based programs that inform and advocate for effective climate change adaptation policies. Through this process, SEARCH aims to mitigate the adverse impacts of a changing climate on the most susceptible populations. By working at the grassroots level, the organization focuses on raising awareness and driving behavioral change, fostering a culture of climate-conscious practices. This approach is instrumental in building the adaptive capacity of communities, enabling them to better cope with and respond to climate-related shocks and stressors.
Evidence-Based Advocacy for Children & Communities
SEARCH employs evidence-based advocacy to drive systemic change and positively impact the lives of children in Pakistan. By promoting inclusive and equitable education, with a particular focus on girls, the organization works to break down barriers to learning and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. This is complemented by efforts to strengthen child protection policies/systems and advocate for robust child rights governance, creating a safer and more nurturing environment for children. A key element of SEARCH advocacy is the push for dedicated budget allocation for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) facilities in schools and communities. This is critical for girls' retention in education, as inadequate facilities often lead to school absenteeism. Additionally, SEARCH advocates for the integration of future-ready economic resilient skills into the education system, preparing young people for the demands of a changing job market. This holistic approach, which also includes policy advocacy for increased budget allocation for climate resilience and adaptation, is vital for building a generation of empowered, protected, and resilient children who can contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future for Pakistan.
Humanitarian Response for Children & Communities
SEARCH operates in a variety of humanitarian crises by providing crucial and timely support tailored to the specific needs of the affected population. In the aftermath of floods, for instance, SEARCH prioritizes the re-establishment of normalcy for children by setting up temporary learning spaces and providing essential learning kits. Recognizing the importance of health and hygiene, they also ensure access to safe drinking water, distribute hygiene kits, food packages, and conduct informative sessions on maintaining proper hygiene practices. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SEARCH adapted its approach to focus on preventing the spread of the virus by providing Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) kits, raising awareness about COVID-19 prevention measures, and promoting the importance of social distancing to protect vulnerable communities. Their multi-faceted approach ensures that immediate needs are met while also contributing to the long-term well-being and resilience of crisis-affected populations.
