Speakers at a function held during a divisional consultation meeting at a Government Community Centre in Rajshahi city stressed on the need for taking collective efforts to implement the Children Act-2013 effectively. The Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Office and District and Session Judge Office jointly organized the meeting titled "The Children Act, 2013 and its Effective Implementation" in association with UNICEF, Bangladesh.

Given the alarming rate of cruel acts shown to our children in recent times, quick implementation of the act has become the need of the minute. Moreover, we have also become evidently intolerant in dealing with our children. This, in particular, will invite devastating future repercussions making us equally cruel and violent towards their children.

In Bangladesh, there are laws providing protection for children, especially girls, but these laws have often proved to be ineffective either because of an absence of stricter clauses or lack of proper implementation. The absence of implementation of laws has not only resulted in a surge of violence, but has made the country’s children hugely insecure.

That said, recent statistics support the need for urgent action too. According to one estimate, 32 children were raped in July, while another estimate says that a total of 336 children were raped and 48 gang-raped between January and July. Children’s right must be prioritised for their proper physical and mental development since today's children will take the nation forward in future. Therefore, we must focus to formulate a comprehensive children-friendly justice system to protect the right of our children. If need be, we must alter the 2013 Act before its enactment. It’s right exactly on this point, where the importance of countrywide campaigning has become crucial.  

The judges, police, legal practitioners and others concerned should come forward with a positive mindset for the well-being of our children. Most importantly, we want the general public to be more concerned about the matter. Wider public awareness can definitely prevent violation of children rights and also help in implementing the act. Our children must not be denied their lawful rights.