Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - Speakers at a programme here today unequivocally called for ensuring safe and friendly space for children for their proper physical and mental grooming.

Simultaneously, they underscored the need for establishing safe and child-friendly atmospheres through ensuring meaningful child participation in development and protection initiatives.

Government officials, professional leaders and development activists made the observations while addressing a daylong event titled “Child Researchers Convocation and Recognition Programme” at BRAC Learning Centre.

Association for Community Development (ACD) as part of implementation of its project ‘Children Know Better: Making Child Participation the Key to Improving the Effectiveness of Action against Sexual Exploitation of Children’ arranged the programme supported by international development partner ECPAT International.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Sabur Ali addressed the ceremony as the chief guest, while ACD President Prof. Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan was in the chair.  Executive Director of ACD Salima Sarwar welcomed the participants.

The event was also addressed, among others, by Additional Superintendent of Police Sabina Yasmin and Officer-in-Charge of Airport Police Station Masuma Mostari.

Project Coordinator Ali Ahmed focused on the project’s goals and objectives, while Team Lead (Advocacy, Lobby and Networking) of ACD Subrata Kumar Paul moderated the discussion.

Twenty-five children conducted child-led research through focus group discussions, interviews and key informant interviews with local decision-makers with the project intervention.

The research highlighted community-level risks, barriers, and opportunities for preventing sexual exploitation and abuse of children.

Apart from this, the convocation aimed to formally recognize and motivate the child researchers and translate their findings into coordinated national action.

On the day before the convocation, the participants took part in a grooming session.

The guests distributed certificates among 25 child researchers, saying the convocation marks a significant milestone in nurturing children's critical thinking and leadership.

Recognizing both children and their families sets an exemplary standard.

The chief guest urged stronger coordination among government departments and development organizations to ensure child protection, assuring continued support from the local administration.

In his remarks, Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan stressed the importance of child-centered, evidence-based, and integrated approaches to combat child sexual exploitation.

He noted that effective collaboration between government and non-government actors would significantly strengthen child protection mechanisms.