Speakers at a roundtable on Tuesday called for strong political commitment and strict enforcement of existing laws to prevent the use of children in political activities, stressing the protection of disadvantaged children ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
The event, titled “Safeguarding the Rights of Disadvantaged Children Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election 2026,” was organized by the Local Education and Economic Development Organization (LEEDO) with support from Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).
Participants condemned exploiting children for political gain, calling it unethical and a serious violation of child rights.
LEEDO Founder and Executive Director Forhad Hossain said some children present at the event had themselves been victims of political exploitation. “This roundtable is a response to the call of children,” he said, adding the aim was to reject child abuse while promoting constructive participation in society.
Hasan Ali Musafir of the Young Journalist Changemaker Group presented LEEDO’s proposed “Manifesto for Street Children,” while young journalist Mahfuza Sultana Munni highlighted policy and institutional gaps in child protection during elections.
DNCC Administrator Mohammad Azaz stressed building a child-friendly city through playgrounds and a clean environment, noting that urban safety nets often overlook disadvantaged children.
Other speakers echoed concerns about children’s vulnerability. Hasan Hafiz, editor of Kaler Kantho, called the use of children in politics “a disgraceful practice,” urging parties to adopt the manifesto. Media and theatre personality Tropa Majumder said: “But these children are future citizens,” stressing the media’s role in child advocacy. Subhashish Roy, executive director of Ekmatra Society, said nearly 12% of those killed in political violence were children, citing at least 182 casualties, and warned of organized juvenile gangs being used in political violence.
The roundtable concluded with policy recommendations urging political parties, state institutions, and civil society to ensure children are never used as tools of political conflict and that child rights and electoral ethics are upheld ahead of the 2026 election.