Separate directorate for children demanded

FE Report Hundreds of disadvantaged children Sunday demanded separate directorate and a national commission for children under the women and children affairs ministry with their access which will deal with their problems. They called for conducting more awareness campaigns for children through different social organizations to help establish children's rights and ensure their participation in socio-cultural activities. They placed their demands in a dialogue with two lawmakers -- Asma Zareen Jhumu and Benajir Ahemd at Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the city where they gathered at a 'Children Gathering 2011' marking the 'Child Rights Week'. Child Rights Governance Assembly (CRGA), a network of 17 civil society organizations, arranged the gathering with the assistance of Save the Children. Executive director of Bangladesh Protibandhi Foundation Shamim Ferdous, executive director of Nari Moitree Shaheen Akter Dolly, executive director of Community Participation and Development (CPD) Moslema Bari and executive director of Uddipan Emranul Haque Chowdhury shared their views with children. The children said many disadvantaged children in society do not know about their rights and privileges for which awareness programmes should be intensified. Referring to the Child Rights Policy, Asma Zareen Jhumu said the government is keen to establish children's rights in the country and it has taken various steps to protect their rights. "The demand for a separate directorate for children is timely as it will help everyone realize children's rights in Bangladesh," she said. As part of the celebration, puppet show, magic show, Baul songs, nagordola, mobile museum and cultural programmes were arranged to entertain the disadvantaged children. Birgit Lundbak, director of CEGA also spoke on the occasion.