Staff Correspondent

Women & Child Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Professor Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain, MP said that no child, whether special-needs or neurotypical, will remain outside the sphere of education.

"The current government is working towards building an inclusive and humanitarian Bangladesh, bringing everyone—from a one-day-old newborn to the senior-most citizen—under a unified protection umbrella," the Minister said while addressing as the chief guest at an event titled 'Young Journalist Changemakers: Voice for Vulnerable Children' held at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro auditorium in the capital.on Wednesday. 

 The program was organized by the Local Education and Economic Development Organization (LEEDO) Bangladesh.

Minister Zahid emphasized that moral education must begin within the family to nurture children into empathetic human beings. He highlighted that the government manages various shelter facilities (Chhotomoni Nibas and Shishu Nibas) to offer refuge, education, and skill development training for parentless children to ensure their future employability.

"The government is not anyone's opponent; rather, the government and the citizens are complementary to each other," he remarked, urging stakeholders to avoid narrow criticism and maximize available resources for nation-building.

During an open interactive session, underprivileged children directly raised various administrative challenges with the Minister, particularly concerning birth registration certificates and access to civic services for guardianless children. Expressing deep empathy, Dr. Zahid assured them of prompt administrative steps to resolve these hurdles.

Key officials present at the event included the Executive Secretary of the Social Welfare Council, the Country Director of SOS Children's Village, alongside representatives from Save the Children, Plan International Bangladesh, Islamic Relief Bangladesh, civil society members, and underprivileged children.

LEEDO, established in 2000 by teachers and human rights activists, operates as a non-profit voluntary organization dedicated to providing safe shelter, emergency services, education, and economic self-reliance for street children and vulnerable women across Bangladesh.