Children need support for rights protection: Speakers

1538

RAJSHAHI, Aug 23, 2017 (BSS)- Speakers at a meeting here on Tuesday unequivocally called for protecting fundamental rights of the children alongside freeing them from all sorts of violation, repression, deprivation and early marriage for building a healthy and knowledge-based future generation.

They said children especially coming from the disadvantaged and underprivileged families must be protected from all sorts of labour, violence, repression and oppression so that they could make themselves competent to serve the nation.

The speakers came up with the observation while addressing a child rights related view-sharing meeting titled “Drafts Reports of Universal Periodic Review” in the city.

Association for Community Development (ACD) and local unit of Child Rights Advocacy Coalition in Bangladesh jointly organized the meeting. Save the Children and Ain O Shalish Kendra supported the meeting held at ACD conference hall.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md Salahuddin, deputy director of Department of Social Service Rubina Yeasmin and panel mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation Nurun Nahar Begum addressed

the meeting as guests of honour.

During his keynote presentation, Mamunur Rashid from Save the Children highlighted the importance of ensuring child rights and protecting them from violence.

Md Salahuddin said the present government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is very much positive towards protecting the child rights and urged the field level government and non-government organizations concerned to supplement the government endeavor.

He said physical and mental development of children couldn’t be possible until they are protected from violence and deprivation.

The practice of child marriage is very damaging, especially for girls. It seems that girls are treated as burden to society, mostly in rural areas.

Terming child marriage a gross violation of human rights, he said children are being married off despite multifarious interventions by the government and non-government organizations concerned. It is vital to increase awareness regarding the negative impacts of early marriage with the help of the mass media.

Rubina Yeasmin stressed that children should be taught positive social values and encouraged to develop healthy behaviors at an early age. Apart from this, she emphasized the need for ensuring children’s safety and security.