Speakers at an event in the city have said that children's opinions must be valued and their active participation in policy-making must be ensured. “It is time for us to collectively work towards building a brighter future for our children. We must take concrete steps at the national and global level to ensure quality and inclusive education for children and create a new Bangladesh free from discrimination,” they also said.
ActionAid Bangladesh arranged the event at an auditorium at Agargaon in the capital on Thursday (17 October) on the occasion of Child Rights Week 2024. The event took place under the theme ‘Shono Agamir Kotha (Listen to the Future)’.
Children raised many demands and aspirations for their physical and mental development through Memorandum. They called for the active co-operation of all stakeholders to ensure the rights of children in Bangladesh and their overall development.
A panel discussion was held at the event. Moderated by Farah Kabir, country director ActionAid Bangladesh; it was attended by officials from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, representatives of national and international organisations, academia, government and non-governmental development organisations, and child rights experts.
The discussion focused on the responsibilities of the state, society, institutions, and individuals in ensuring the well-being, protection, and fundamental rights of children.
Tania Khan Laizu, director general (additional secretary) of Bangladesh Shishu Academy, expressed concern over the rise in child marriages and called for a strict ban on child marriages under the country's existing laws. She emphasised the need for a national initiative to ensure quality and inclusive education for children.
“We want to see the current curriculum revised so that children can not only enjoy learning but also develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and technological knowledge. We need to ensure equal opportunities for marginalised children in remote areas. Modern infrastructure, advanced learning materials, trained teachers, and mental health support systems should be made available at schools,” said Tania Khan Laizu.
Rasheda K. Choudhury, executive director of Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE); highlighted the discrimination faced by children and emphasised the need to address the importance of children's mental health wellbeing. She also called for promoting science and technology among children, especially in rural areas.
Farah Kabir stressed the importance of valuing children's opinions and ensuring their active participation in policy-making. “We want to see children's representatives appointed in organisations and government bodies working for children so that they can directly raise their issues. We need to create an inclusive environment for children where their opinions are valued and prioritised in policy-making,” she said.
Dr. Tania Haque, president of the National Human Rights Commission; suggested the establishment of a special office for children to ensure their participation and leadership. She emphasised that the country's laws are the last resort for ensuring children's rights and called for strict enforcement of laws against child marriage and child abuse.
Anders B. Karlsen, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Denmark in Bangladesh, called for joint efforts by the government, NGOs, and national and international development organisations to ensure children's rights.
He said that "Climate change disproportionately affects women and children. We need to work towards equality for children and improve the quality of education."
Bharat Gautam, Research and Evaluation Manager at UNICEF Bangladesh, emphasised the need to focus on the impact of interventions rather than just the number of child marriages. He said that “We need to reflect on the progress we have collectively achieved. Can we, as all stakeholders, develop a comprehensive plan to ensure children's rights? We can develop action plans to collaborate on laws and policies that guarantee the development and fundamental rights of every child."
Laila Jasmin Banu, Program Manager for Governance and Human Rights at the European Union in Bangladesh, suggested increasing the number of community-based development centers where children can learn and develop various skills, and include children with disabilities. She said that, “We need to expand development centres for children at the community level. These centres can provide children to partake in extra-curricular activities, where everyone can learn a variety of skills during the day. Such initiatives can be effective in promoting the sustainable development of children.”
The event opened with performances by the children which included songs, dramas, and dances, focusing on social issues such as child rights, child abuse, and protection. The guests also visited at an exhibition of art and craft works created by children.
Ibrahim Khalil Al Zayad, Chairperson of ActionAid International Society of Bangladesh; S.M. Shafaet Hossen, Joint Secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division; Mohammad Shah Alam, Managing Director of Sesame Workshop Bangladesh; Munia Islam Mozumder, CEO of Teach for Bangladesh; and officials from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, national and international organizations, academia, government and non-governmental development organisations, and media were present at the event.
