Save the Children and Prothoma publication on Thursday jointly launched a book titled "50 Years of Bangladesh for Children" aiming to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence.
The book features articles from 15 authors that reflect the overall picture of children in Bangladesh in the past 50 years, as well as the realities of today and the future.
Planning Minister MA Mannan unveiled the book in Dhaka.
The minister said: "The government is working for children in all sectors cordially. We try to provide meals for children in school, as it is a part of our plan."
Lalmatia Girls' High School student Laboni Akter has expressed her opinions about the book stating that it will guide the implementation of children's rights.
She said: “We have to stop early marriages and child labour, but first of all we have to eliminate poverty from our society.”
Another student Saikot also said they were trying to raise awareness about early marriage among children.
Both students urged and demanded that the government should establish an organization in every village so that members of the organization can work for children's rights.
Save the Children's Bangladesh Country Director Onno Van Manen said: “There were a lot of challenges, and we have overcome most of them, so we need to celebrate this journey.”
He added: "We know there are still a lot of challenges left like early marriages in Bangladesh. So we need to make sure children get proper education here.”
He further noted that humanitarian organization has been working hard for children during Covid-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, and climate change across the world.
The "50 Years of Bangladesh for Children" is a reflection on sports, education, and creative development for Bangladeshi children, he added.
Reefat Bin Sattar, director of Program Development and Quality at Save the Children said: “Our aim is to publish books about children's rights, child labour conditions, children's achievements, kids left behind, and what their rights would be in the next 50 years.”
Journalist and prominent writer Anisul Haque said: "The book will be a significant contribution to children's literature. It will also help those who want to work against these issues.”
Academic Rasheda K Choudhury said: “We need to do more research on these issues so that we can secure their fundamental rights.”
Further, she said, a government-facilitated children's organization could prevent deviant behavior and stop the “teen gangs”.
Editor of Prothomalo, Motiur Rahman, and many others were also present at the event.