Speakers at a workshop underscored the need for child development integrated within the mainstream education curriculum on Bangladesh in order to check physical and humiliating punishment (PHP) of children.
There is a need of promoting a political agenda influencing the election manifesto and ongoing positive reform initiated by the government in relation to Mujib Year and Golden Jubilee of Independence.
INCIDIN Bangladesh in collaboration with Save the Children organized the workshop in Dhaka on Monday, said a press release
AKM Masud Ali, Executive Director of INCIDIN Bangladesh and Wahida Banu, Executive Director of Oporajita spoke at the workshop.
A parenting guidance inclusive of positive disciplining needs to be circulated through health and community actors such us (midwives, gynecologist and marriage register, LEBs, teachers, SMC committee) for future and existing parents, the speakers said.
The existing social indicators of success for a child are translated into PHP by parents and institutions in the name of securing a better future of a child.
As such this socio-cultural domain needs to be challenged, they mentioned.
Citing that the children and parents are reluctant to resist the PHP imposed by the employers of the child labour and the legal regime and economic empowerment are critical in empowering these parents and children, the said, law alone cannot stop PHP and the challenges of implementation of any such law need to be kept in view.
Madrasa education requires special attention with respect to PHP, the said adding, clarity on (a popular social narrative on) humiliating punishment is a precondition of addressing it. This also needs to be integrated in mass education and popular media campaign.
Rather than enacting a new Act, the speakers emphasized on amendment to the existing Children's Act as it is a better option.
Virtual space is now another domain in which a child is exposed to comparison, competition and humiliation. This also needs to be within legal purview, they said.
