The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, with technical support from Unicef, launched the National Multimedia Campaign on the prevention of Violence Against Children and Child Marriage at Bangladesh Shishu Academy on Monday.
The initiative is part of ongoing efforts of the Accelerating Protection for Children (APC) project led by the ministry and Unicef to address the alarming prevalence of violence against children and child marriage in Bangladesh. The project is focused on strengthening institutional capacity and establishing a system for child protection at the national and sub-national levels.
“Today’s launch is a pivotal moment in our ongoing mission to protect the rights and dignity of children in Bangladesh,” said Simeen Hussain Rimi, State Minister of Women and Children Affairs.
She also said: “Violence against children and child marriage not only violate their fundamental rights but also have enduring detrimental effects on their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. The government is committed to working hand in hand with Unicef and other stakeholders to eradicate these harmful practices and create a safe and nurturing environment for all children.”
Supported with funding from the European Union and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the UK, the campaign is aligned with the National Children’s policy to uphold the rights of children and the National Action Plan (NAP) to eliminate child marriage in Bangladesh by 2041.
“The campaign underscores our unwavering dedication to empower communities to champion child protection,” said Emma Brigham, representative of Unicef Bangladesh.
“Through strategic communication and community mobilization, we aim to create an environment where every child can thrive free from violence and exploitation. We call on any concerned person to call Child Helpline 1098, legal aid, shelter, health, and education services,” she added.
Dr Bernd Spanier, chargé d’affaires of the EU Delegation in Bangladesh, expressed support for the initiative, reiterating that the European Union stands in solidarity with Bangladesh in its endeavours to safeguard children’s rights.
“We commend the government of Bangladesh and Unicef for kick-starting this much-needed campaign to address violence against children and child marriage,” he said.
The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019 revealed that almost 9 out of 10 children aged between 1 to 14 years have encountered instances of physical violence and psychological aggression within their homes.
In addition, Bangladesh ranks among the top 10 countries globally in the prevalence of child marriage, with over half of girls married before they turn 18, and almost one out of four girls giving birth by the same age. As many as 8 out of 10 girls in the country give birth before reaching the age of 20.
The campaign will provide a comprehensive approach to facilitate behavioral change through public service announcements (PSA) and initiate a social movement against violence and child marriage.
It will prioritize community engagement in hard-to-reach areas and districts with a high prevalence of violence against children and child marriage and reinforce collaborative action to challenge harmful social norms while advocating positive parenting practices.