Emran Emon

Child abuse in the country has reached alarming levels. Incidents of child abuse are therefore seen almost as media news. Recently, the brutal killing of a seven-year-old child in Chittagong by cutting her body into six pieces has shocked people greatly. The saddest thing is that children are more likely to be bullied by acquaintances than by strangers. But in most cases these incidents remain unrevealed. Due to public shame and sociability, things are tried to be reconciled within the family.

Research has revealed that 84 percent of children in the country are victims of sexual abuse, ranging from rape to unwanted physical touch. There are positive laws and policies in the country to stop these tortures. But due to the lack of proper implementation and awareness of the law, the situation of child abuse is still dangerous in the country.

According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), everyone under the age of 18 is a child. According to that 40 percent of the total population of the country are children. As the saying goes, "today's child is tomorrow's future." So protecting these future leaders is very important.

Every year, hundreds of children are subjected to torture and violence in various ways. Children are not safe anywhere at home or outside. No low, middle or upper class child is safe at home, outside or at school.

Children are subjected to various forms of torture. Especially physical and mental violence against children, child marriage, child motherhood and sexual harassment are more common. Child sexual abuse is the worst. It has been seen that abused children suffer from various physical and mental problems later in life. Some even become bullies. It is not only girls who are victims of sexual abuse in the country, the incidence of male child sexual abuse is increasing alarmingly. Again, sexual abuser is not only male, but also female can be sexual abuser.

On the other hand, it is not only the child who is affected by child marriage. Along with that, everyone including family, society and state is affected. A child who could have become an asset to his family, society and state is being disrupted by child marriage. Therefore, it is very important to stop child abuse not only for children, but to continue the growing development of the state.

There is poverty in the country, but it is not the only problem. In that case, the problem of one million street children in the country speaks for itself, there are other reasons as well.

In particular, domestic violence is a major problem, which often breaks family ties. As a result, many children leave their families and go on the road. At present, the number of child laborers in the country is more than 1.7 million. They are engaged in various hazardous labours.

Various studies have revealed the terrible torture on them. In many cases they are also killed. However, if effective measures are taken and implemented for the development of these children, they could be educated and work for the development of the country. It goes without saying that if children's rights are not implemented, then children will not grow up normally. In this situation, the country will not be able to fulfill its desired goals.

According to a survey conducted by a private organization called 'INCIDIN Bangladesh' in 2020-21, 95.8 percent of children are subjected to torture at home in various ways. Among them, the most oppressed are parents and guardians. And these persecutions are carried out under the pretext of teaching discipline.

Research of Department of Public Health and Informatics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University says that 86.1 percent of parents in urban areas abuse their children physically, 14.7 percent do mental abuse. 100 percent of working children are subjected to physical and mental abuse.

According to another research, 35 percent of 11 to 17-year-old children in rural areas have been bullied, ridiculed, gossiped about, or insulted online. 56 percent boys and 64 percent girls in class 9-10 in urban and rural areas are victims of sexual harassment through internet.

These data are very worrying for us. 40 percent of the total population of Bangladesh are children. It is said that children are the future leaders of the nation. It is easy to imagine what this 'future' will be like—growing up in these abuse and oppression.

Although the country has laws to protect children, child abuse cases are not usually prosecuted. So it can be said that the law is not able to protect children in that way. Children urgently need the sensitivity of family members. Educational institutions can also play an important role in how children should and should not be treated.

Therefore, it is essential to ensure proper rights, education and safety of children in order to build a prosperous Bangladesh.

In order to improve the quality of life of children—various programs are being implemented including the introduction of free education, introduction of stipend, distribution of free books, increase in the number of women teachers.

The government has formulated National Child Policy and Women Development Policy. As a result of these measures taken, child marriage and abuse have reduced significantly, but still not at the expected rate. Therefore, children should be ensured a safe and sound environment, quality healthcare and a society free from abuse and oppression. Along with that, everyone should behave humanely towards the children, including their own people, and also give special importance to the practice of morals and values of the children. It is expected that all children should feel safe and protected in any setting.

The writer is a researcher, journalist and columnist