Workforce for Child Protection Services raised by 1,200 to 4,000
The newly-recruited social workers have received training in a three-day orientation programme
FE REPORT | Friday, 15 March 2024
With funding support from the European Union, the Ministry of Social Welfare assisted by UNICEF has recruited over 1,200 additional social workers for Child Protection Services, bringing the total number to over 4,000.
As a first step towards their integration in the Child Protection Social Services, on Thursday the Department of Social Services (DSS) and UNICEF jointly completed a three-day long orientation Training of Trainers (ToT) in Dhaka for the social workers.
The goal of this initiative is to cultivate a highly-skilled workforce, thereby enhancing the quality of services provided and broadening the availability of protective services delivered by social workers.
"The recruitment of the new batch of social workers is a testament to our commitment towards enhancing the nation's child protection system," said Social Welfare Minister Dr Dipu Moni
"The European Union welcomes the commitment of the Government of Bangladesh to invest in child protection by boosting the social services workforce by 40 per cent," says the EU Ambassador to Bangladesh, Charles Whiteley.
"It is important to increase the number of social workers in child protection, but it is equally important to equip them with the right information and knowledge, as they have a critical role to offer essential care and support to those experiencing violence," said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.
Despite the recruitment of new social workers, challenges persist, including the prevalence of child labour, inadequate birth registration, children in institutional care and lacking family support, and high rates of child marriage.
UNICEF emphasises the importance of addressing these issues through collaborative efforts among the government, civil society, and international partners.
Additionally, there is a need for ongoing investment in human resources and the development of specialised training programmes to meet the evolving needs of vulnerable children and families.
UNICEF called on the government to prioritise the further expansion and empowerment of the child protection workforce to effectively support the country's vulnerable child population.