The recent tragic death of a child in the capital's Pallabi has once again raised deep concerns about the child safety situation in Bangladesh.
Children are constantly subjected to physical, mental and sexual abuse in different parts of the country, but many cases remain silent, which highlights the weakness of social awareness and security systems.
Children are the future of the state; if they are not guaranteed a safe and healthy childhood, emotional development, self-confidence and social behavior are severely affected.
Therefore, child protection is no longer a general social issue but needs to be considered as an urgent issue of national priority.
At the same time, the risk of online harassment, cyberbullying and online exploitation is also increasing rapidly in the digital age, making the safety of children even more complicated.
These cases are widespread not only in cities but also in rural areas and in most cases they are not revealed.
Alarmingly, most abusers are not unknown but rather familiar and trusted individuals, resulting in a safe environment for children often becoming unsafe.
In the first seven months of 2025, child rape incidents increased by almost 75% compared to the same period of the previous year.
During this period, a total of 306 girl children were raped, compared to 175 in the same period in 2024. 49 of the victims were under the age of six.
Many cases of child abuse in Bangladesh remain hidden due to social silence and family pressure. Many families do not want to report complaints due to social shame, fear of loss of reputation or concerns about the future.
At the same time, the tendency to blame the victim further complicates the situation. As a result, perpetrators often get away with it, and children are deprived of justice and psychological support.
Various laws and policy frameworks exist in Bangladesh for child protection. The Children Act 2013 emphasizes the best interests and protection of children, and the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act has provided strict punishment for violence and sexual abuse against children.
In addition, the Constitution of Bangladesh also ensures the right to life, dignity, and security of citizens. At the international level, Bangladesh has also pledged to protect children's rights as a member of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
The main challenge therefore is not the lack of legal protection; it is in practical implementation. Although Bangladesh has multiple laws for child protection, their effectiveness in practice is still questionable.
In many cases, the investigation process is lengthy, evidence collection is weak, and trials take years to complete. At the same time, adequate psychological support for child victims, a safe deposition system, or a child-friendly support structure are absent in many cases.
Weak implementation of the law, lack of institutional coordination, and limited accountability are hindering the effectiveness of the child protection system.
With the spread of digital technology, new types of risks have also emerged for children. Currently, cyber grooming, online harassment, and misuse of social media are becoming major challenges.
Many children are exposed to harmful content, violence, or exploitative communication at a young age, which is negatively affecting their mental and social development.
Just as technology has created new opportunities, the online safety of children has now become a major national concern due to the lack of adequate digital awareness and monitoring.
Families and educational institutions are very important in child protection. Parents should maintain open communication with their children, pay attention to their behavioral changes, and create awareness about safety.
At the same time, schools need to provide child safety education, a safe system for reporting complaints, and a trust-based environment between teachers and students. Any unusual behaviour or signs of abuse ought to be identified and reported quickly.
To ensure child protection, the state and relevant institutions need to take more effective and coordinated steps. For this, it is necessary to develop a child-friendly justice system, ensure psychological counseling services for child victims, and introduce a rapid response system in cases of child abuse.
In addition, it is important to strengthen the surveillance of law enforcement agencies and conduct awareness-raising activities at the national level. Child protection must be considered not only as a reactive, but also as a long-term policy priority.
Considering child protection as a national priority is not only a humanitarian responsibility, but also a fundamental condition for national development.
The skills, productivity, and social stability of future generations depend on the safe and sound development of a child. An unsafe childhood hinders the long-term progress of a society and increases social inequality and psychological crises.
The current reality of child protection brings to the fore our collective failure and lack of responsibility. Family, society, educational institutions, and the state must work together to ensure a safe environment.
No development can be considered complete until every child has a safe childhood. Building a safe Bangladesh for children is now not just a social expectation, but a national imperative.
Tareq Abedin Siraji is a Bangladeshi legal scholar and founder of BD Opinion Juris.