A total of 1,044 incidents of different forms of violence against children took place across the country in 2017, according to a survey report revealed on Thursday in the capital.
Of the total figure, 470 girls were raped during the period while 134 children faced physical torture, 105 students faced corporal punishment, 95 children were sexually harassed, 70 were victims of attempt-to-rape, 49 received proposals of illicit relationship, 44 went missing, 22 were abducted, 19 were subjected to torture in the domestic sphere, 11 fell victim to acid-throwing and nine were victims of torture as domestic helps, the survey revealed.
The survey also found that violence against children rose due to a declining trend of budgetary allocation and lack of awareness among the public and absence of coordination among the ministries and other stakeholders.
Child-focused budget declined to 2.51 per cent in the fiscal year (FY) 2017-18 from 2.53 per cent in the FY 2016-17 as percentage of gross domestic product (GDP).
Compared to the total national budget, it (child budget) has declined to 13.96 per cent in the FY 2017-18 from 14.57 per cent in the FY 2016-17.
Total budget allocation for children was Tk 558.6 billion in the FY 2017-18.
The findings of the survey on violence against children and reduced budget allocation for children were made public at a discussion titled "Study findings of the government budget focusing on violence against children" at the National Press Club.
Child Rights Advocay Coalition Bangladesh, World Vision and 'It Takes Me to End Physical Violence against Children' jointly organised the event.
Speakers at the discussion recommended sufficient budgetary allocation and its proper implementation for curbing violence against children and their overall development.
They also laid emphasis on coordination among the ministries, local government bodies and non-government organisations for proper implementation of the child budget.
The speakers observed that the goal 16.1 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) suggests significant reduction in all forms of violence and related deaths everywhere.
The goal 16.2 of the SDGs focuses on ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children.
The goal 5.3 of the SDGs recommends eliminating all harmful practices against children, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilations.
Chairman of the Development Studies Department of Dhaka University Dr M Abu Eusuf in his keynote paper suggested creating public awareness at the rural level, sensitising the stakeholders such as the children, parents, community people and local government representatives to the rights of children and allocation of budgetary resources to end violence against children.
Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Md Kazi Reazul Hoque as the chief guest laid stress on stopping all forms of violence against children especially girl children.
He said the budget allocation for child development should be implemented properly.
Director (strategic, programme, support and advisory services) of World Vision, Bangladesh Chandan Z Gomes chaired the function.
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