A total of 482 children have been killed in Bangladesh in the first ten months of 2024, compared to 421 during the same period in 2023.
Additionally, 580 children were subjected to various forms of abuse, including physical violence, rape, and sexual exploitation.
The figures were revealed on Tuesday during a dialogue organized by Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and the Child Rights Advocacy Coalition in Bangladesh (CRAC,B) at the National Press Club.
The coalition, comprising 14 leading national and international organizations, emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect children’s rights and ensure their safety.
In her keynote presentation, ASK Project Officer Shanta Islam highlighted the alarming persistence of violence against children, including murder, physical abuse, rape, and online sexual harassment.
From January to October 2024, 39 children suffered physical abuse at the hands of teachers. During the same period, 217 children were raped, with 15 murdered after the assault, while 61 children were victims of attempted rape, and 34 faced sexual harassment. Among the victims, 85 children suffered sexual abuse by teachers, and 32 boys were subjected to sodomy.
Shanta said that 121 children were killed in shootings by security forces during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The coalition called for immediate reforms to ensure children’s rights and safety. It urged the publication of a comprehensive list of children injured or killed in recent violence, as well as compensation for the families of victims and rehabilitation for injured children.
Strengthening existing laws, such as the Pornography Control Act 2012, the Children Act 2013, and the Cyber Security Act 2023, was also emphasized to address online child exploitation.
The coalition recommended introducing provisions to annul child marriages outright, enhancing the effectiveness of child marriage prevention committees, and digitizing marriage registration processes.
M Kabir, country director of Terre des Hommes, criticized the lack of concrete initiatives for children and urged authorities to collaborate with stakeholders to strengthen mechanisms protecting child rights.
He stressed the importance of immediate action to curb violence and discrimination, adding: "Ensuring children’s rights and safety is crucial for building a just and equitable society."