Protecting children’s rights

Spurt in the incidents of abduction, murder and abuse of children in recent times is mind boggling

The speakers at a roundtable meeting in Rajshahi city on Monday rightly said that holistic approach of all government, non government organisations and individuals concerned has become an urgent need to protect the legitimate rights of children equally for both boys and girls as they will be the key players to take the nation forward in the future.  Children are the future of the country and development of the country cannot be thought of ignoring their rights. But there is hardly any reason to become optimistic at the overall scenario related to children’s rights in the country. Spurt in the incidents of abduction, murder and abuse of children in recent times is mind boggling.   

   The first deprivation a child of an impoverished family confronts is the absence of birth registration. As a result, it is difficult to ascertain his or her age. Underprivileged children are exposed to harsh realities of life; for survival they are forced to start work from very early age. Sexual abuse perpetrated on them leaves them traumatized; they become victims of bonded labour, trafficking and other forms of violence and exploitation.   Many children grow up in slums and footpaths in the country, particularly in the capital, without any care and attention. Over the past few years the country saw a phenomenal increase in the number of street children with the rapid population growth. Almost 85 per cent of them are growing up in a dirty and unhygienic environment; they bear the brunt of malnutrition and different diseases. Many of them get involved in crimes like theft, snatching, drug selling and even the female children are engaged in prostitution.

 The street children are engaged by political leaders and activists and godfathers to join rallies, carry and throw bombs and torch public transports during hartals and other political programmes.  The activities they are engaged in for a small amount of money are risky and may imperil their life.  Growing up in a culture of crime and violence, they have hardly any scope for cultivating good manner, human values, justice and humility.      The government has taken up various measures for improving the lot of children. More such initiatives should be taken up through proper planning for them. Children must be freed from all sorts of cruelties and inhuman behaviours, violation, repression and deprivation for building them as worthy citizens.  

The children of poor families should be brought under vocational educational programme so that they can be engaged in income-generating activities to live life with dignity.  

 

Protecting childrens rights

Spurt in the incidents of abduction, murder and abuse of children in recent times is mind boggling

The speakers at a roundtable meeting in Rajshahi city on Monday rightly said that holistic approach of all government, non government organisations and individuals concerned has become an urgent need to protect the legitimate rights of children equally for both boys and girls as they will be the key players to take the nation forward in the future. Children are the future of the country and development of the country cannot be thought of ignoring their rights. But there is hardly any reason to become optimistic at the overall scenario related to childrens rights in the country. Spurt in the incidents of abduction, murder and abuse of children in recent times is mind boggling. The first deprivation a child of an impoverished family confronts is the absence of birth registration. As a result, it is difficult to ascertain his or her age. Underprivileged children are exposed to harsh realities of life; for survival they are forced to start work from very early age. Sexual abuse perpetrated on them leaves them traumatized; they become victims of bonded labour, trafficking and other forms of violence and exploitation. Many children grow up in slums and footpaths in the country, particularly in the capital, without any care and attention. Over the past few years the country saw a phenomenal increase in the number of street children with the rapid population growth. Almost 85 per cent of them are growing up in a dirty and unhygienic environment; they bear the brunt of malnutrition and different diseases. Many of them get involved in crimes like theft, snatching, drug selling and even the female children are engaged in prostitution. The street children are engaged by political leaders and activists and godfathers to join rallies, carry and throw bombs and torch public transports during hartals and other political programmes. The activities they are engaged in for a small amount of money are risky and may imperil their life. Growing up in a culture of crime and violence, they have hardly any scope for cultivating good manner, human values, justice and humility. The government has taken up various measures for improving the lot of children. More such initiatives should be taken up through proper planning for them. Children must be freed from all sorts of cruelties and inhuman behaviours, violation, repression and deprivation for building them as worthy citizens. The children of poor families should be brought under vocational educational programme so that they can be engaged in income-generating activities to live life with dignity.