Nine out of ten children in BD face violent discipline at home

FE Team | Published: June 14, 2024 00:00:51

An alarming nine out of ten children aged 1-14 years face violent discipline each month by caregivers, affecting over 45 million children in Bangladesh, UNICEF revealed on Thursday, reports UNB.
Despite progress in child protection, violence, abuse and exploitation continue to impact millions, it said.
According to UNICEF data, 400 million under-5 children across the globe, or six in ten children in the age group, regularly endure psychological aggression or physical punishment at home. Of these children, around 330 million are punished through physical discipline.
The estimates, released on the first-ever International Day of Play, also emphasise the crucial role of play in children's development and the mental health of children, parents and caregivers, in response to data that highlights the prevalence of inadequate care-giving, including stimulation and interaction at home.
UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) and other ministries, is working to create a violence-free and protected environment for families, communities and vulnerable populations, including children and adolescents.
Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, said every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.
Through partnership with the Government of Bangladesh and a community-led approach, UNICEF and other agencies are making significant strides in protecting over 16 million children and women from violence and harmful practices by investing in strengthening families, he also said.
"In 2023 alone, the MoYS, through the Sports for Development (S4D) programme, has reached 4.5 million parents nationwide. Our goal is to create a society where every child can thrive and reach his/her full potential," he added.
The S4D initiative involves parents in discussions on child safety and violence prevention.
UNICEF supports these efforts with technical and financial assistance to ensure inclusive sporting activities.
Through these initiatives, UNICEF and the government are leveraging sports to promote child empowerment and prevent violence, ensuring a safer and more inclusive environment for all children.
Additionally, UNICEF has established 2,170 child protection community hubs (CPCHs) in 43 districts, preventing over 1,000 child marriages in 2023. These hubs serve as safe spaces for children and families, providing essential protection services, recreational activities, and psychosocial support.
The CPCHs have educated over 6.0 million community members on preventing violence against children and women as well as supported key actions like birth registration and school re-enrolment.
On the first-ever International Day of Play, UNICEF called on the government, civil society, donors, private sector, and other stakeholders to urgently fulfil the right to play, as per Article 31 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, to guarantee every child's development and wellbeing.
As a key milestone for this to happen, it is required to increase the number of social workers, who are the backbone of a functional child protection system.