Protecting children from cruelties

Increasing incidents of abduction, murder and torture of children in recent times have caused concern among the saner segment of the society

Academics and development activists at a discussion in Rajshahi opined that as the present children will be the key players to take the nation forward in future their fundamental rights must be protected. According to a report in this newspaper yesterday, they viewed that the children must be freed from all sorts of cruelties and inhuman behaviour, violence, repression and deprivation for building them as worthy citizens and social contributors. Social responsibility and political will is very much important to this end.
Children are the future of the country. Development of the country cannot be imagined ignoring the rights of children. Children comprise a significant segment of the total population of the country. But increasing incidents of abduction, murder and torture of children in recent times have caused concern among the saner segment of the society. 
Children of impoverished families are often exposed to harsh realities of life. They are forced to work from very early age for survival. Many of them become victims of sexual abuse, bonded labour, trafficking and other forms of violence and exploitation. All these leave them utterly traumatized. Many children grow up in slums and footpaths in the country, particularly in the capital, without any care and attention. 
The country witnessed a phenomenal increase in the number of street children with the rapid population growth over the past few years. 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 and drug selling while the female children are engaged in prostitution. 
The present government has taken up various measures for improving the lot of children. More such initiatives should be taken up through proper planning for them. The children of poor families should be brought under vocational educational programmes so that they can be engaged in income-generating activities to live life with dignity. 
Physical and mental development of children is not possible until they are protected from violence and deprivation since their early childhood. Incidents of child murder, sexual harassment, suicide and trafficking has been increasing gradually as they are being deprived of their fundamental rights. There is no alternative to protecting children from all sorts of labour, violence, repression and oppression. Creation of consciousness among people from the capital city down to the grassroots level can help achieve the goal.  

 

Protecting children from cruelties

Increasing incidents of abduction, murder and torture of children in recent times have caused concern among the saner segment of the society

Academics and development activists at a discussion in Rajshahi opined that as the present children will be the key players to take the nation forward in future their fundamental rights must be protected. According to a report in this newspaper yesterday, they viewed that the children must be freed from all sorts of cruelties and inhuman behaviour, violence, repression and deprivation for building them as worthy citizens and social contributors. Social responsibility and political will is very much important to this end. Children are the future of the country. Development of the country cannot be imagined ignoring the rights of children. Children comprise a significant segment of the total population of the country. But increasing incidents of abduction, murder and torture of children in recent times have caused concern among the saner segment of the society. Children of impoverished families are often exposed to harsh realities of life. They are forced to work from very early age for survival. Many of them become victims of sexual abuse, bonded labour, trafficking and other forms of violence and exploitation. All these leave them utterly traumatized. Many children grow up in slums and footpaths in the country, particularly in the capital, without any care and attention. The country witnessed a phenomenal increase in the number of street children with the rapid population growth over the past few years. 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 and drug selling while the female children are engaged in prostitution. The present government has taken up various measures for improving the lot of children. More such initiatives should be taken up through proper planning for them. The children of poor families should be brought under vocational educational programmes so that they can be engaged in income-generating activities to live life with dignity. Physical and mental development of children is not possible until they are protected from violence and deprivation since their early childhood. Incidents of child murder, sexual harassment, suicide and trafficking has been increasing gradually as they are being deprived of their fundamental rights. There is no alternative to protecting children from all sorts of labour, violence, repression and oppression. Creation of consciousness among people from the capital city down to the grassroots level can help achieve the goal.