Speakers, including representatives from non-governmental organisation, at a dialogue on Wednesday emphasised the need for coordinated efforts to enhance child protection.
The observation was made at the Multi-Stakeholders Dialogue to Stop Child Protection, organised by Terre des Hommes Netherlands in collaboration with Breaking the Silence and VERC in the capital.
The event was organised as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, focusing on raising awareness in society and taking effective actions to prevent child sexual abuse and enhance child protection.
In his opening speech, Mahmoodul Kabir, Country Director of Terre des Hommes Netherlands, said, 鈥楾he realities of child marriage, physical and mental violence, online harassment, and the drop-out rate are creating a crisis in our society, and we need coordinated efforts to resolve them. No individual or organisation can solve these issues alone.鈥�
He further said that Bangladesh was at a pivotal crossroads, where its rapid economic development must be matched with an uncompromising focus on child protection that addressed the intersecting vulnerabilities of children.
Speakers emphasised that children from working class families often endure greater mental pressure from their families, with girls particularly facing stress related to child marriage and boys being pressured into child labour.
During the dialogue, child representatives highlighted several key demands, including establishment of day care centres, safety in schools and playgrounds, effective measures to prevent online harassment, and elimination of child marriages.
The executive director of Breaking the Silence, Rokshana Sultana, called on the government to implement necessary policies and measures to ensure education and protection for girls, particularly to prevent child marriage and provide incentives for enrolling children in school.
She also emphasised the need for the government to build community-based protection systems and increase awareness among parents and children about their rights.
Representatives of the garment industry promised to work jointly with the government and relevant organisations to prevent child labour.
