International NGO Joining Forces Bangladesh has proposed a "Children's Directorate" for ensuring children's rights in Bangladesh, along with sufficient budget allocation and implementation of child laws.
At an event titled “Children's Rights in Bangladesh: Where We Stand”, the proposal was presented by the speakers from Joining Forces Bangladesh on Thursday.
The event was organized by six organizations working on child rights – Educo Bangladesh, Plan International Bangladesh, Save the Children in Bangladesh, Terre des Hommes Federation, World Vision Bangladesh, and SOS Children’s Villages Bangladesh – at a hotel in the capital. Kamrunnessa Nazli, the research team leader, presented the findings.
The report revealed an increase in child mortality in Bangladesh in 2023 due to poverty, lack of safe and adequate food, and inefficiencies in healthcare.
Among every 1,000 live births, an average of 27 newborns died, compared to 24 in 2022. Premature birth, low birth weight, pneumonia, fever, and infections were cited as major causes of these deaths.
Additionally, the rate of child marriage increased in 2023. According to the report, 41.6% of girls were married before the age of 18, and 8.2% before the age of 15.
The report highlighted poverty, food insecurity, inadequate parental income, high healthcare costs, poor coordination, lack of proper planning, absence of implementation of relevant policies, shortage of skilled human resources, and lack of accountability and monitoring as major obstacles to ensuring equal access to health and nutrition services for children.
To address these challenges, the report suggested enacting and harmonizing laws and policies, ensuring adequate budget allocation, proper planning, and implementation of strategies.
It also emphasized the importance of strengthening monitoring mechanisms and enhancing the capacity and sensitivity of those providing services to children.
After the presentation, officials from various NGOs and young volunteers working on child rights raised numerous questions based on the findings.
They provided recommendations on preventing child marriage, eradicating child labor, simplifying the birth registration process, and ensuring safe internet usage for children.
Tania Khan, director general of Bangladesh Shishu Academy and additional secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (Child & Coordination Wing), attended the event as the chief guest.
She emphasized the importance of establishing a separate directorate for children and stated that her ministry aims to work in coordination with NGOs and INGOs to ensure children's rights.
She said: “Unlike women's issues, children's priorities are comparatively overlooked. Therefore, the government has decided to establish a 'Child Affairs Directorate.' Shishu Academy and the Ministry of Child Affairs will work together."
When asked about the budget for children, she said: "There is a budget for children, but it is not being effectively utilized. We need to ensure the proper use of the allocated budget for children."
She also mentioned ongoing efforts to eliminate child marriage, child labor, and ensure safe internet use.
Addressing the event, Rabiul Islam, deputy director of the National Human Rights Commission, stated that, along with preventing child labour and child marriage, attention should also be given to preventing the political exploitation of children.
The commission is working to implement child labour bans, prevent child marriage, and enforce child rights laws.
Abdullah Al Mamun, director of Child Protection and Child Rights Governance at Save the Children in Bangladesh, stressed the importance of educating children on both the use and misuse of their rights.
Referring to the report, he said: “Publishing a report does not mean the work is done. We need to divide responsibilities based on the findings and take action. While we had declared to eliminate child labor by 2025, the current situation suggests that achieving this within the deadline might not be possible.”
Earlier, Dr Md Enamul Haque, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages International in Bangladesh, delivered the welcome speech.
Other speakers included Sumi Akter Shiuli, Head of Humanitarian Response at Educo Bangladesh; Abdullah Al Mamun from Save the Children; Mahmudul Kabir, Country Director of Terre des Hommes Netherlands; Chandan Z. Gomes, Senior Director of Operations at World Vision Bangladesh; and Rabiul Islam, Deputy Director of the National Human Rights Commission.
