Bangladesh is set to recruit 6,000 new social workers for enhancing the efficient delivery of child protection services at the community level.
With this new addition, the number of social workers will see a jump of 200%, as it will bring the workforce to 9,000, from the existing 3,000 social workers.
The decisions to strengthen the child protection services and increase the number of social workers were announced at the first-ever “National Symposium on Child Protection in Bangladesh” jointly organized by United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and the European Union (EU) at a hotel in Dhaka on Monday.
The high-level child protection symposium brought together policymakers, civil society, experts, and international partners who reiterated their commitment to better the protection of children in Bangladesh through an enhanced system.
Separate discussions on social service workforce, early identification of risks and interventions, rights and needs of children with disabilities, and child protection legal framework were also organized as part of the symposium.
Currently, 45 million Bangladeshi children under the age of 15, or a shocking 89%, are regularly subjected to violence at home, according to a national survey quoted by the organizers at the event.
Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina, in a video message, emphasized the importance of making child protection services available at the community level.
“The aim of our government is to build a professional social service workforce that enhances efficient delivery of child protection services such as Child Helpline 1098, Child Protection Allowances and community-based outreach services involving volunteers, adolescent children, and community people so that no child is left behind,” said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Saima Wazed, chairperson, Shuchona Foundation and advisor to the director-general, WHO on Mental Health and Autism presented the keynote presentation titled “The Well-being of Our Children Today is the Prosperity of Bangladesh Tomorrow” at the event.
Over three million children are trapped in child labour while nearly half of children do not have a birth registration in Bangladesh, according to organizers.
One in five children does not complete primary school in Bangladesh, they noted.
Over 100,000 children are in institutional care and lack family support while one in every two girls is made to marry while still a child, they said.
“Social workers reach deep into communities where children need them the most. I congratulate the government of Bangladesh for this dramatic increase in the number of social workers to help more children benefit from critical professional care,” said Sheldon Yett, Unicef representative to Bangladesh.
Ambassador Charles Whiteley, head of EU delegation to Bangladesh, reiterated EU’s commitment committed to supporting the government to strengthen child protection systems in Bangladesh.
“Children hold a significant potential to accelerate Bangladesh’s development. Our event today is a unique opportunity towards ensuring children are protected from violence, abuse and exploitation, in particular the most vulnerable children and children with disabilities,” he said.
