Committees on cards to protect kids

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and its 120 partner organisations are planning to form “child protection committees” to raise awareness about sexual harassment of children, and extend legal support to victims and their families.

The committees will be at numerous levels -- village, ward, union, upazila and district --and those will work in areas covered by the non-government organisations. 

The organisations also want to engage the government in it to turn homes, schools, neighbourhoods and public places safer for children.

The decision was made against the backdrop of an increasing number of children reportedly falling victim to rape and sexual harassment, the MJF said at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday. 

About 233 children, including six boys, have been raped in the last five months. Of them, 12 girls have died after rape. There have been rape attempts on 32 children, including a boy. Another 35 have fallen victim to sexual harassment, according to data gathered by the MJF from six national newspapers.  

Last year, 356 children were raped and 22 of them died.

According to the organisation, such crimes reflect a gradual degradation of the social fabric and are linked to drug abuse, access to technology like smartphones and internet at an early age, pornography etc.

The alarming situation demands coordinated action to find out the factors leading to a rise in such crimes and then find a solution to it, speakers at the conference said.

The committees to be formed will constitute parents, teachers and people of other professions.

At upazila and district levels, government officials will be requested to join the committees.

The partner organisations will organise month-long programmes in the capital against child abuse and invite ward councillors, mayors, representatives from the police administration and the media, and influential people to participate in them.   

The MJF will also conduct a research to learn where in Dhaka children are more vulnerable to rape and sexual harassment.

The government, its legislative body and those responsible for ensuring enforcement of laws have significant roles to play to stop abuse and violence against children, it said.        

At the conference, Sheepa Hafiza, executive director, Ain o Salish Kendra, said, “Even trials at speedy tribunals take 26 years to complete…such prolonged trials encourage people to take the law in their own hands.”

She said the criminals had to be brought to justice promptly after an incident and the trials be expedited.

They further demanded shutting down websites featuring pornography and foreign channels which broadcast violent videos.

Drug abuse is well connected to sexual violence as, speakers said, people lose their sense of right and wrong after taking drugs. The home ministry has to take steps to stop supply and consumption of drugs.

Orders should be issued to all educational institutions to form anti-harassment committees as per a 2009 High Court directive which ordered forming such committees in every educational institution and workplace to deal with complaints of sexual harassments, conduct investigations and make recommendations. 

The NGOs also demanded that the education ministry incorporate in textbooks lessons about sexual violence and recommended the information ministry to screen documentaries to raise awareness.  

“We want to wage a movement against child abuse and sexual harassment,” said Shaheen Anam, executive director of the MJF.

Families, society and the state have to come forward to ensure the safety of children.