RAJSHAHI, Sept 7, 2022 (BSS) - Integrated efforts of all the government and non-government organizations concerned can be the best way of preventing sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
 
As the present children are the future driving force of the country they must be protected from all sorts of exploitations through playing sensible and responsible roles by all quarters.

Administrative officials and social watchdogs came up with the observation while addressing the "Launch Event Bangladesh Country Review: A Report on the Scale, Scope and Context of the Sexual Exploitation of Children" here today.

Association for Community Development (ACD) and ECPAT International jointly organized the event under the Down to Zero Programme at Hotel X in the city.

Commissioner of Rajshahi division GSM Zafarullah addressed the meeting as chief guest, while Deputy Commissioner Abdul Jalil was in the chair.

Country Director of Terre des Hommes Netherlands, Bangladesh Mahmudul Kabir, ACD Executive Director Salima Sarwar and Deputy Executive Director of ECPAT International Thomas Muller also spoke.

ACD Director Sharmin Subrina gave an illustration on the issue during her keynote presentation, while Program Coordinator Subrata Kumar Paul moderated the discussion.

The meeting was told that sexual harassment now turns into a social disorder as many children are using two or more SIM-cards and mobile phone sets in which they are being harassed in different ways.

Utmost emphasis should be given on keeping the children far from the mobile and internet to save them from sexual harassment.

Commissioner Zafarullah urged the guardians to be aware adequately about children and gave a suggestion to observe the children's regular activities.

Children will remain secure from sexual harassment if the guardians monitor them properly, he added.

In his remarks, Mahmudul Kabir said that incidents of child marriage, child labour, sexual abuse and child trafficking have increased, resulting in sexual exploitation of children in the region.
 
Stressing on building a child sensitive environment, he called for close collaboration and coordination among government agencies and civil societies for ensuring safety of children.