Photo : Messenger
Amidst a distressing surge in child abuse and a disregard for child rights and safety, the government appears to have turned a blind eye to the escalating crisis. Experts have unanimously emphasized the urgent necessity for the establishment of a dedicated directorate devoted to safeguarding child rights and ensuring their safety in the face of this alarming rise in child abuse and violence.
Against the backdrop, concerned voices have persistently called upon the government to address this critical issue, one that has been ongoing for over fifteen years, especially in the context of eradicating child labor from our society. The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated.
The South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) has underscored the imperative need for the creation of a 'Department of Children Affairs.' This proposed department would play a pivotal role in overseeing the Child Protection Community Hub (CPCH) project and other initiatives aimed at promoting the welfare of children in Bangladesh.
Startling statistics from the police headquarters further underscore the urgency of the situation. Over the past five years (2018–2022), the nation has witnessed an astonishing 27,479 reported cases of rape and 59,960 reported cases of torture against women. These stark figures were unveiled in the recently released report titled 'Overall State of Girl Child:
Bangladesh Context 2021–2022,' a pioneering report exclusively focused on the well-being of girl children. Moreover, in the first eight months of 2023 alone, 493 young girls have fallen victim to rape, a deeply distressing revelation.
The South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) has underscored the imperative need for creating a 'Department of Children Affairs.' This department would play a pivotal role in supervising the Child Protection Community Hub (CPCH) project and other initiatives aimed at promoting child welfare in Bangladesh.
Recent statistics from the police headquarters reveal a distressing picture. Over the last five years (2018–2022), there have been a staggering 27,479 reported cases of rape and 59,960 reported cases of torture against women across the nation. These stark figures were unveiled in the recently released report titled 'Overall State of Girl Child: Bangladesh Context 2021–2022,' a pioneering report exclusively focused on the well-being of girl children. In just the first eight months of 2023, 493 girl children became victims of rape.
During the same period, 329 girl children fell prey to sexual harassment and torture. Shockingly, 30 girls were exposed to pornography, 2 girls endured acid attacks, 104 girls were abducted and trafficked, and 260 girl children were forced into marriage across 136 unions spanning 52 upazilas in 23 districts. However, it's worth noting that this report also highlights that 21 child marriages were prevented, signifying progress in safeguarding child rights.
The National Girl Child Advocacy Forum (NGCAF), in collaboration with Educo Bangladesh and Good Neighbours Bangladesh, recently unveiled this comprehensive report.
Nasima Akhtar Jolly, the editor of NGCAF, commented on the harrowing reality, stating "Torture and violence against girls have become a daily ordeal in our country. They suffer abuse on two fronts: firstly, as oppressed members of society at large, and secondly, merely because they are female, entailing gender-based oppression."
Sayema Haque Bidisha, research director at SANEM, emphasized the pressing concern of violence against women and children for both the government and development partners. She advocated for the expansion of the Child Protection Community Hub (CPCH) project as a valuable tool in curbing violence against children.
Currently, more than 1,200 Child Protection Community Hubs (CPCHs) are operational throughout Bangladesh, reaching over 16 million children and caregivers. In February 2021, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA) and UNICEF embarked on a sustainable and scalable strategy to implement a program aimed at preventing violence against children and women (VACW). This initiative, named 'Prevention of Harmful Practices and Violence Against Children and Women Through Accelerating Protection for Children under MoWCA,' seeks to establish 2,100 hubs in upazilas by 2024. “However, the broader goal is to establish 13,327 hubs across all upazilas in the country, a monumental task that warrants the creation of a dedicated department for children,”said Sayma Haque.
“The government should seriously consider the implementation of CPCHs, and for smooth implementation, it should establish a ‘Department of Children Affairs,” she added.
Meher Afroz Chumki, chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Women and Children Affairs Ministry, said, There is no way the child rights issues can be addressed unless there is a separate directorate to eliminate the worst forms of child labour.”
Messenger/Sumi/Disha
