Government, non-governmental organizations and other institutions along with journalists should come forward to ensure successful implementation of commitments related to child rights -said discussants in a consultation meeting in Rangpur on the draft Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report on child affairs.
Director of local government, office of the Divisional Commissioner of Rangpur division, Fazlul Kabir was present at the inaugural ceremony of the summit as the Chief Guest while Ashik Billah, Head of Central and Northern region of Plan International Bangladesh presided over the meeting on Thursday.
Soumen Barua, Deputy Inspector General, Department of Inspection for factories and establishment Rangpur, Anil Chandra Barman, Deputy Director, the Divisional Social Services Office, Kawsar Parveen, Deputy Director, the Women Affairs Department of Rangpur and Chanchal Kumar Bhowmik, Upazila Secondary Education Officer of Jaldhaka Upazila were present the event as special guests.
The chief guest said, “The government has made a lot of progress in implementing child rights. There is a National Human Rights Commission which deals with various rights issues. Our goal is to end child labour. All children shall attend school and enjoy the right to education. Above all, it will contribute to building a Smart Bangladesh”.
On behalf of Child Rights Advocacy Coalition, Bangladesh and Joining Forces Bangladesh, USS, a local partner organization of Plan International Bangladesh, organized the consultation on the UPR report on Thursday.
The main objective of this event was to know stakeholders’ views on the draft Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report on Child Rights specially from government officials, experts, students, children, civil society including people from different level of the society and incorporate their opinion in the draft report. Above all, to increase awareness among the public on the UPR process.
Rasheda Akther, Advisor-Child Protection and Gender Justice of Plan International Bangladesh shared a brief presentation on the draft report of UPR. She shared the achievements, barriers and recommendations related to child rights protection so far achieved. Monjur Al Khaled shared the objectives of the meeting.
In the progress review, it is mentioned that, with the aim of proper implementation of the Child Act, 2013, a draft of the Ordinance has been prepared, the National Action Plan 2018-2030 which aims to stop child marriage in the country, the Child Marriage Prevention Rules-2018, the government to women and children. Formulating a National Action Plan (2018-30) to prevent violence, on November 4, 2021, the High Court issued an ordered to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to form a monitoring committee at the upazila level to stop physical and mental violence of students who are studying in all schools-colleges-madrasas of the country.
In the recommendation, reintroduction of the Children's Budget report periodically from 2023-2024 financial year is mentioned. Ensuring that commitments to children are
effectively reflected in budgetary processes.
Expeditious finalization and approval of the Draft Rules of Children Act 2013.
During the open discussion, participants highlighted the current situation and recommendations on child protection.
USS Executive Director Alauddin Ali delivered the closing speech.
Child Rights Advocacy Coalition in Bangladesh is an alliance consisting of 10 advocacy organizations working on children's rights, which has been presenting various reports with necessary recommendations at the national and international levels by analyzing the problems related to child rights existing in the country since 2013. As part of this process, since 2013, the Coalition has been conducting related advocacy activities at the UN and national levels, in addition to submitting stakeholder reports every four and a half years under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations. On the other hand, Joining Forces is an international alliance that has been working since 2018 to ensure the rights of children and youth by properly achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to children worldwide.
Among others, children, adolescents, youths, journalists, officials from various government departments and representatives of non-governmental organizations were present.