'Integrated efforts the best way to prevent child abuse'

RAJSHAHI, Sept 07 (BSS): Integrated efforts of all the government and non-government organisations concerned can be the best way to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
Speakers came up with the remarks while speaking at a programme on "Launch Event Bangladesh Country Review: A Report on the Scale, Scope and Context of the Sexual Exploitation of Children" jointly organised by Association for Community Development (ACD) and ECPAT International under the Down to Zero Programme at Hotel X in the city on Wednesday.
As children are the future driving force of the country, they must be protected from all sorts of exploitations through taking effective steps by all quarters they said.
Commissioner of Rajshahi division GSM Zafarullah addressed the meeting as chief guest, while Deputy Commissioner Abdul Jalil was in the chair.
Country Director of Terre des Hommes Netherlands, Bangladesh Mahmudul Kabir, ACD Executive Director Salima Sarwar and Deputy Executive Director of ECPAT International Thomas Muller also spoke.
ACD Director Sharmin Subrina gave an illustration on the issue during her keynote presentation, while Programme Coordinator Subrata Kumar Paul moderated the discussion.
The discussion was told that sexual harassment now turns into a social disorder as many children are using two or more SIM-cards and mobile phone sets in which they are being harassed in different ways.
Utmost emphasis should be given on keeping the children far from the mobile and internet to save them from sexual harassment.
Commissioner Zafarullah urged the guardians to be aware adequately about children and gave a suggestion to observe the children's regular activities.
Children will remain safe from sexual harassment if the guardians monitor them properly, he added.
In his remarks, Mahmudul Kabir said incidents of child marriage, child labour, sexual abuse and child trafficking have increased, resulting in sexual exploitation of children in the region.
Stressing on building a child sensitive environment, he called for close collaboration and coordination among government agencies and civil societies for ensuring safety of children.