Abstract
The research paper aimed at assessing the vulnerability of Pakhtun children to social exclusion and its
gender based variations. A total of 500 male and female children (12-18 years old) from available religious
denominations were interviewed from District Peshawar by systematic sampling. The association of social
exclusion in male and female children was spurious by means of relations with family members, relations
with their neighbors, power of making decision, participation in economic activities, competence in
education/skills and environment of crimes at family level. However, the said relationship was non-spurious
with access to economic resources, state of health and well being and environment of crimes at community
level. Establishing a welfare based governance, ensuring child participation in outdoor activities, eliminating
underage employment, vital educational facilities encompassing the modern age needs, strong health
interventions, strict crime controlling measures through law enforcing agencies, drive for coordination
between family and community and addressing gender based disparities in working environment under a
sound package were suggested as some of the policy recommendations in the light of the study.
