‘Child protection requires unified effort’
A coordinated national mechanism is urgently needed to address the rising incidence of child abuse in Bangladesh, Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Barrister Kayser Kamal said on Thursday, stressing that law enforcement alone is insufficient to eliminate the social problem.
He made the call while speaking as chief guest at a roundtable titled “Addressing the Growing Incidence of Child Abuse in Bangladesh: Challenges, Responsibilities and the Way Forward” held at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed Convention Centre in Shahbagh.
Barrister Kayser Kamal said the formation of a national child safety task force would help ensure a structured response involving families, educational institutions, social organisations, media and relevant state agencies. “Child abuse is a serious social menace that cannot be eradicated through law enforcement alone,” he said, according to a press release.
He stressed that tackling the issue requires identifying root causes and assessing gaps in existing laws, policies and child protection mechanisms, alongside the development of sustainable strategies to ensure a safe and violence-free environment for children. The Deputy Speaker said protecting children’s physical, mental and social development is both a constitutional and moral responsibility of the state.
He also highlighted growing concerns over physical, psychological and online abuse faced by children, calling for stronger parental awareness, improved safeguarding measures in schools, safe digital practices and wider social consciousness on child rights.
Referring to the murder of young Ramisa, he said justice would be ensured through the highest court at the earliest possible time, adding, “We must believe in action rather than words.”
Barrister Kayser Kamal also praised organisations working to provide legal, medical and psychological support to abused women and children, describing their role as vital in helping victims obtain justice and rebuild their lives. He urged the Legal and Health Support Cell for Abused Women and Children to expand its services further.
The roundtable was organised by the Legal and Health Support Cell for Abused Women and Children and moderated by Professor Md. Rafiqul Islam, central coordinator of the organisation.
The event was attended by State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, MP, actor Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Uzzal, Ramisa’s father, representatives of rights organisations, development workers, human rights activists, officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat and journalists from various print and electronic media.
Participants including lawmakers, policymakers, academics, lawyers, physicians, researchers, artists, development workers, victim families and women and child rights representatives underscored the need for stronger enforcement of laws, increased public awareness, expanded victim support services and coordinated initiatives to ensure child safety.
