About 130 million children around the world are at risk of losing parental care, while an estimated 24 million children either live in some form of alternative care, or completely without the care of elders, speakers observed at a seminar on Thursday.
SOS Children’s Village International organized the seminar on "Alternative Care of Children in Bangladesh: Challenges and Intervention" to address the gaps and challenges, and improve alternative care through collective efforts.
SOS Children's Villages International is the umbrella organization of all SOS Children's Village associations worldwide. It provides family-based care for children in 134 countries and advocates on the concerns, rights and needs of children, especially of those without parental care.
The seminar was arranged in collaboration with the Institute of Social Welfare and Research (ISWR), University of Dhaka, at Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of the University on Thursday.
Every child deserves to grow up in a family. The actual number of children at risk or having lost parental care is much higher, speakers said. As a result, it is important to focus on the quality of care provided in alternative care settings.
Kamrun Nahar, secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, the chief guest at the seminar, said that organizations like SOS Bangladesh are giving the affection of a mother to the children who are deprived of parental care. The ministry has taken up various projects, like Accelerating Protection for Children and Adolescent Club, to help such children.
Dr Muhammad Samad, pro-vice-chancellor, University of Dhaka, said there is a necessity for research to identify the actual number of children who have lost parental care or are at risk of losing parental care.
Dr Md Enamul Haque, deputy national director of SOS Bangladesh presented a clear idea about the uniqueness of SOS Family Care as a model of alternative childcare in Bangladesh.
Participants, including government officials, alternative care practitioners, child rights activists, academia, NGO representatives, caregivers, child representatives and representatives of the organizing partners participated in the seminar.
