RAJSHAHI, April 29, 2024 (BSS) - Concerted efforts of all the government and
non-government organizations concerned can be the crucial means of protecting
boys from sexual abuse and exploitations.

There is also need of expanding services and assistance to protect the boys
from sexual violence. Community can play vital roles online and offline to
attain the desired goal in this field.

Academics and government officials made the observation while addressing a
consultation meeting with service providers styled "Blue Umbrella Day- April
16: Raising awareness of sexual violence affecting boys" in the city today.

Blue Umbrella Day (BUD) is an international day on April 16 that raises
awareness of how to better care for boys and protect them from sexual abuse.

Main theme of the day of this year is "Sexual violence affects boys too".
Effects can be felt throughout society. That's why, on April 16th, every
year, we're drawing attention to this issue.

Association for Community Development (ACD) hosted the meeting at Hotel
Warisan in association with Family for Every Child to mark the day discussing
and devising ways and means on how to ensure a friendly atmosphere for the
boys.
 
The meeting was told that the Blue Umbrella Day raises awareness of how to
better care for boys and protect them from sexual violence.
 
"Boys need adult care and protection too, Boys can be victims of sexual
violence and being a real man means being kind to yourself and others," were
the main focuses of the day.

Professor Sadequl Arefin Matin from the Department of Social Work at Rajshahi
University addressed the meeting as the chief guest, while Divisional
Director of the Department of Mass Communication Farhad Hossain spoke as
special guest.

Deputy Director of the Department of Youth Development ATM Golam Mahbub,
District Education Officer Nasir Uddin, District Adjutant of Ansar-VDP
Raquibul Hassan and Editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hassan Millat also
spoke.

ACD Project Coordinator Subrata Kumar Paul moderated the discussion.
 
In his remarks, Professor Sadequl Arefin opined that proactive role of the
community can be the effective means of protecting the boys from sexual
abuse, assault and all sorts of violence as they are the future driving force
of the country.
 
For the sake of their proper physical and mental development, all sorts of
violence and repression against boys must be stopped with integrated efforts
of the government and non-government organisations concerned.

The society as a whole should come forward and work together to protect the
boys from all sorts of repression and oppression because there is no way but
to build them as worthy citizens through flourishing their latent talents.

Splitting into six groups the participants put forward a set of
recommendations on how to protect the boys from sexual abuse through
discussing and devising ways and means on the issue.