Participation of childrenUNICEF seeks to empower children to speak out about the issues that concern them and participate in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.
Opinion poll
UNICEF conducted the first national Children’s Opinion Poll in 2005 to find out what issues most concern young people. The second national poll in 2008 focused on vulnerability, disparity, and discrimination. It specifically addressed corporal punishment and other abuses in schools, homes, and workplaces, children’s experiences in disasters, and the rights of children with disabilities.
Some key findings:
91 per cent of respondent children reported experiencing physical punishment at school.
80 per cent of children thought that physical punishment at school was acceptable in certain circumstances.
16 per cent of respondent children have had to leave their home in the last five years due to a natural disaster.
While only 1.4 per cent of households included a child with a disability, 90 per cent of respondent children knew about disability and were able to list different types of disability and problems faced by children with disabilities.
Child journalists
UNICEF works with children in every district of Bangladesh as part of Children’s Express , a news agency dedicated to children and youth. Children receive training in child rights, news writing, interviewing and reporting. Their work is printed in local and national newspapers. In 2008, Children’s Express trained 670 young journalists who contributed 390 group reports on child rights issues and 261 individual features to local and national newspapers.
Children in the media
UNICEF collaborates with various media agencies to advocate for children’s participation and children’s rights.
UNICEF trains journalists on children’s issues and ethical reporting.
Television and radio stations broadcast programmes both about children and for child viewers. Two TV stations in Bangladesh have won awards for the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting in recent years.
UNICEF sponsors the Meena Media Awards for excellence in media programmes and writing, produced about children, for children or by children.
UNICEF supports the International Children’s Film Festival Bangladesh, which promotes quality films for children and supports child filmakers.
UNICEF supports the national public radio and television stations, and numerous private channels, to produce and air edutainment programmes for children.
UNICEF also works with the Department of Mass Communication to promote children’s issues through folk theatre and song, and films screenings in local communities, followed by public discussions and courtyard meetings.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
In addition to major disasters, such as Cyclone Sidr, emergencies in Bangladesh are often on a relatively small scale. Localized flash floods, food sh
In addition to major disasters, such as Cyclone Sidr, emergencies in Bangladesh are often on a relatively small scale. Localized flash floods, food shortages and violent storms are common. Whether the emergency effects hundreds or millions of people, women and children are always the most vulnerable.
Emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction are central to UNICEF’s everyday work in Bangladesh. Assistance varies dramatically depending on the crisis.
During an emergency, UNICEF provides support in several key areas:
Safe water and hygiene
Food and supplies
Education and protection
Emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction are central to UNICEF’s everyday work in Bangladesh. Assistance varies dramatically depending on the crisis.
During an emergency, UNICEF provides support in several key areas:
Safe water and hygiene
Food and supplies
Education and protection
UNICEF seeks to empower children to speak out about the issues that
UNICEF seeks to empower children to speak out about the issues that concern them and participate in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.
Opinion poll
UNICEF conducted the first national Children’s Opinion Poll in 2005 to find out what issues most concern young people. The second national poll in 2008 focused on vulnerability, disparity, and discrimination. It specifically addressed corporal punishment and other abuses in schools, homes, and workplaces, children’s experiences in disasters, and the rights of children with disabilities.
Some key findings:
91 per cent of respondent children reported experiencing physical punishment at school.
80 per cent of children thought that physical punishment at school was acceptable in certain circumstances.
16 per cent of respondent children have had to leave their home in the last five years due to a natural disaster.
While only 1.4 per cent of households included a child with a disability, 90 per cent of respondent children knew about disability and were able to list different types of disability and problems faced by children with disabilities.
Child journalists
UNICEF works with children in every district of Bangladesh as part of Children’s Express , a news agency dedicated to children and youth. Children receive training in child rights, news writing, interviewing and reporting. Their work is printed in local and national newspapers. In 2008, Children’s Express trained 670 young journalists who contributed 390 group reports on child rights issues and 261 individual features to local and national newspapers.
Children in the media
UNICEF collaborates with various media agencies to advocate for children’s participation and children’s rights.
UNICEF trains journalists on children’s issues and ethical reporting.
Television and radio stations broadcast programmes both about children and for child viewers. Two TV stations in Bangladesh have won awards for the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting in recent years.
UNICEF sponsors the Meena Media Awards for excellence in media programmes and writing, produced about children, for children or by children.
UNICEF supports the International Children’s Film Festival Bangladesh, which promotes quality films for children and supports child filmakers.
UNICEF supports the national public radio and television stations, and numerous private channels, to produce and air edutainment programmes for children.
UNICEF also works with the Department of Mass Communication to promote children’s issues through folk theatre and song, and films screenings in local communities, followed by public discussions and courtyard meetings.
Opinion poll
UNICEF conducted the first national Children’s Opinion Poll in 2005 to find out what issues most concern young people. The second national poll in 2008 focused on vulnerability, disparity, and discrimination. It specifically addressed corporal punishment and other abuses in schools, homes, and workplaces, children’s experiences in disasters, and the rights of children with disabilities.
Some key findings:
91 per cent of respondent children reported experiencing physical punishment at school.
80 per cent of children thought that physical punishment at school was acceptable in certain circumstances.
16 per cent of respondent children have had to leave their home in the last five years due to a natural disaster.
While only 1.4 per cent of households included a child with a disability, 90 per cent of respondent children knew about disability and were able to list different types of disability and problems faced by children with disabilities.
Child journalists
UNICEF works with children in every district of Bangladesh as part of Children’s Express , a news agency dedicated to children and youth. Children receive training in child rights, news writing, interviewing and reporting. Their work is printed in local and national newspapers. In 2008, Children’s Express trained 670 young journalists who contributed 390 group reports on child rights issues and 261 individual features to local and national newspapers.
Children in the media
UNICEF collaborates with various media agencies to advocate for children’s participation and children’s rights.
UNICEF trains journalists on children’s issues and ethical reporting.
Television and radio stations broadcast programmes both about children and for child viewers. Two TV stations in Bangladesh have won awards for the International Children’s Day of Broadcasting in recent years.
UNICEF sponsors the Meena Media Awards for excellence in media programmes and writing, produced about children, for children or by children.
UNICEF supports the International Children’s Film Festival Bangladesh, which promotes quality films for children and supports child filmakers.
UNICEF supports the national public radio and television stations, and numerous private channels, to produce and air edutainment programmes for children.
UNICEF also works with the Department of Mass Communication to promote children’s issues through folk theatre and song, and films screenings in local communities, followed by public discussions and courtyard meetings.
What happened?
What happened?
In 2007, more than half of Bangladesh was seriously affected by monsoon flooding. Caused by excessive rainfall in catchment areas of Nepal, Bhutan and Northern Indian, floods in July and September affected 13.3 million people – 6 million of them children – in 46 districts.
The floods caused:
1,100 deaths (90 per cent of them children)
400,000 displaced people
1.1 million damaged or destroyed homes
162,000 cases of diarrhoea
2.2 million acres of damaged cropland
Many farmers lost their crops twice and were unable to replant.
UNICEF’s response
To restore access to safe water, UNICEF supported the construction of 853 new tubewells, the repair of 91,300 damaged wells, and distribution of over 4.3 million water purification tablets.
UNICEF also provided
Plastic sheets and family kits – containing clothes, cooking utensils and basic household items – for 98,000 families
Food supplements for 162,000 people
Essential drugs for 250,000 people
During the floods UNICEF set up safe spaces that provided care and psychosocial support to 40,000 children. These children were able to continue their studies thanks to UNICEF’s emergency education kits.
In 2007, more than half of Bangladesh was seriously affected by monsoon flooding. Caused by excessive rainfall in catchment areas of Nepal, Bhutan and Northern Indian, floods in July and September affected 13.3 million people – 6 million of them children – in 46 districts.
The floods caused:
1,100 deaths (90 per cent of them children)
400,000 displaced people
1.1 million damaged or destroyed homes
162,000 cases of diarrhoea
2.2 million acres of damaged cropland
Many farmers lost their crops twice and were unable to replant.
UNICEF’s response
To restore access to safe water, UNICEF supported the construction of 853 new tubewells, the repair of 91,300 damaged wells, and distribution of over 4.3 million water purification tablets.
UNICEF also provided
Plastic sheets and family kits – containing clothes, cooking utensils and basic household items – for 98,000 families
Food supplements for 162,000 people
Essential drugs for 250,000 people
During the floods UNICEF set up safe spaces that provided care and psychosocial support to 40,000 children. These children were able to continue their studies thanks to UNICEF’s emergency education kits.
Floods 2007
Floods 2007
What is happening?
Periodic outbreaks of avian influenza or ‘bird flu’ in poultry have been a concern in Bangladesh since March 2007, when the first case of H5N1 virus was detected in birds. To contain the threat, the Government of Bangladesh had culled over 1.65 million birds in and around infected farms by January 2009.
In January 2008, a 16-month old boy contracted the H5N1 ‘bird flu’ virus. The boy was the first and only human case reported in Bangladesh. He survived.
Person to person transmission of avian influenza is not yet possible. Should this change, a human flu pandemic would be inevitable. The pandemic would threaten every aspect of children’s lives.
Spread of the virus has already compromised household economies and the nutritional status of women and children.
UNICEF’s response
In collaboration with the Government’s Department of Mass Communication, UNICEF works to educate local communities about the risks of avian influenza (AI) and encourage individuals to adopt safe behaviours to avoid transmission of the virus from animal to human.
Folk theatre groups tour the country to present music and plays on avian influenza. Folk songs and plays encourage people to wash their hands properly and observe other safe behaviours when handling birds, poultry meat and eggs.
AI protection messages are also included in a range of campaign and education materials:
Rickshaws and vans equipped with megaphones announce health and safety advice in meat and poultry markets.
Posters explain the dangers of AI to local people.
AI training manuals provide poultry farmers with the knowledge to improve hygiene practices and reduce risks for livestock and humans.
TV and radio spots on public and private channels encourage hand-washing and other safe behaviours.
UNICEF trains community hygiene promoters about the virus, so that they can include prevention messages in their hygiene education sessions. Health professionals, local administrators, community volunteers and Scout leaders have also received training.
UNICEF works with the Press Institute of Bangladesh to create awareness among journalists about the dangers of AI and their responsibility to provide accurate and timely information to the public.
UNICEF collaborates with the Government and other international agencies to control the virus and further prepare ministries, hospitals and the general public for a human pandemic.
What is happening?
Periodic outbreaks of avian influenza or ‘bird flu’ in poultry have been a concern in Bangladesh since March 2007, when the first case of H5N1 virus was detected in birds. To contain the threat, the Government of Bangladesh had culled over 1.65 million birds in and around infected farms by January 2009.
In January 2008, a 16-month old boy contracted the H5N1 ‘bird flu’ virus. The boy was the first and only human case reported in Bangladesh. He survived.
Person to person transmission of avian influenza is not yet possible. Should this change, a human flu pandemic would be inevitable. The pandemic would threaten every aspect of children’s lives.
Spread of the virus has already compromised household economies and the nutritional status of women and children.
UNICEF’s response
In collaboration with the Government’s Department of Mass Communication, UNICEF works to educate local communities about the risks of avian influenza (AI) and encourage individuals to adopt safe behaviours to avoid transmission of the virus from animal to human.
Folk theatre groups tour the country to present music and plays on avian influenza. Folk songs and plays encourage people to wash their hands properly and observe other safe behaviours when handling birds, poultry meat and eggs.
AI protection messages are also included in a range of campaign and education materials:
Rickshaws and vans equipped with megaphones announce health and safety advice in meat and poultry markets.
Posters explain the dangers of AI to local people.
AI training manuals provide poultry farmers with the knowledge to improve hygiene practices and reduce risks for livestock and humans.
TV and radio spots on public and private channels encourage hand-washing and other safe behaviours.
UNICEF trains community hygiene promoters about the virus, so that they can include prevention messages in their hygiene education sessions. Health professionals, local administrators, community volunteers and Scout leaders have also received training.
UNICEF works with the Press Institute of Bangladesh to create awareness among journalists about the dangers of AI and their responsibility to provide accurate and timely information to the public.
UNICEF collaborates with the Government and other international agencies to control the virus and further prepare ministries, hospitals and the general public for a human pandemic.
What happened?
What happened?
On the evening of 15 November 2007, Cyclone Sidr – a category four cyclonic storm – hit the low-lying and densely-populated coast of Bangladesh. The cyclone ravaged 30 southern districts in both Barisal and Khulna divisions. Hundreds perished as buildings collapsed in the 240 km per hour winds. Thousands of others drowned in tidal surges that were over 15 feet high in many villages.
The cyclone caused:
3,363 deaths
55,282 injured people
1.5 million damaged or destroyed homes
2.5 million acres of damaged cropland
Through loss of life, home and livelihood, the 8.9 million people affected by the cyclone continue to face lives of increased poverty.
UNICEF’s response
Immediately following the cyclone, UNICEF worked with Save the Children to establish 220 safe spaces where child victims received food and safe water and had access to psycho-social support and recreation.
UNICEF also provided a wide range of emergency supplies, including:
Safe drinking water for over 100,000 families
1 million packets of oral rehydration solution to treat diarrhoea
100,000 blankets, 30,000 tarpaulins and 40,000 plastic sheets
99,000 winter jackets for children aged five and below
Family kits – containing clothes, cooking utensils and basic household items – for 32,000 families
Longer-term support for cyclone victims has included:
Materials and support to build 42 transitional schools, which can be used as cyclone shelters during future storms
Construction of almost 30,000 latrines
Nutritional supplements for more than 140,000 children and over 50,000 women
Cash transfers and social support for 2000 orphaned and vulnerable children and their foster families.
On the evening of 15 November 2007, Cyclone Sidr – a category four cyclonic storm – hit the low-lying and densely-populated coast of Bangladesh. The cyclone ravaged 30 southern districts in both Barisal and Khulna divisions. Hundreds perished as buildings collapsed in the 240 km per hour winds. Thousands of others drowned in tidal surges that were over 15 feet high in many villages.
The cyclone caused:
3,363 deaths
55,282 injured people
1.5 million damaged or destroyed homes
2.5 million acres of damaged cropland
Through loss of life, home and livelihood, the 8.9 million people affected by the cyclone continue to face lives of increased poverty.
UNICEF’s response
Immediately following the cyclone, UNICEF worked with Save the Children to establish 220 safe spaces where child victims received food and safe water and had access to psycho-social support and recreation.
UNICEF also provided a wide range of emergency supplies, including:
Safe drinking water for over 100,000 families
1 million packets of oral rehydration solution to treat diarrhoea
100,000 blankets, 30,000 tarpaulins and 40,000 plastic sheets
99,000 winter jackets for children aged five and below
Family kits – containing clothes, cooking utensils and basic household items – for 32,000 families
Longer-term support for cyclone victims has included:
Materials and support to build 42 transitional schools, which can be used as cyclone shelters during future storms
Construction of almost 30,000 latrines
Nutritional supplements for more than 140,000 children and over 50,000 women
Cash transfers and social support for 2000 orphaned and vulnerable children and their foster families.
UNICEF supports the Government’s programme for universal birth registration in Bangladesh. Since 2006, with the passage of the Birth and Death Registr
UNICEF supports the Government’s programme for universal birth registration in Bangladesh. Since 2006, with the passage of the Birth and Death Registration Act, children born in Bangladesh must be registered with a birth certificate.
Technical support
UNICEF provides technical assistance and advocacy support to the national birth registration drive. Birth registration is currently manual and slow. Efforts are underway to computerize the process and build a more efficient national registration system.
Increasing public awareness
Media campaigns raise public awareness about the importance of birth registration. Teachers and health care providers reinforce the campaigns, explaining that birth certificates help children access health and education services, while providing protection against child marriage, labour, trafficking and other abuses.
Expansion
According to the Government of Bangladesh, almost 45 per cent of people are now registered with birth certificates, though the percentage of the child population with birth registration is not known. Combining birth registration with school admission is increasing the scope of the campaign. UNICEF is supporting accelerated registration of the most vulnerable and excluded children, including children living in the streets and in brothels.
Download the Birth registration factsheet.
Technical support
UNICEF provides technical assistance and advocacy support to the national birth registration drive. Birth registration is currently manual and slow. Efforts are underway to computerize the process and build a more efficient national registration system.
Increasing public awareness
Media campaigns raise public awareness about the importance of birth registration. Teachers and health care providers reinforce the campaigns, explaining that birth certificates help children access health and education services, while providing protection against child marriage, labour, trafficking and other abuses.
Expansion
According to the Government of Bangladesh, almost 45 per cent of people are now registered with birth certificates, though the percentage of the child population with birth registration is not known. Combining birth registration with school admission is increasing the scope of the campaign. UNICEF is supporting accelerated registration of the most vulnerable and excluded children, including children living in the streets and in brothels.
Download the Birth registration factsheet.
Criminal responsibility
Criminal responsibility
In 2004, following advocacy efforts by UNICEF, the minimum age of criminal responsibility was raised from seven to nine. Enforcement remains difficult because many children have no proof of their age due to low levels of birth registration.
Legislative reform
UNICEF supports government efforts to harmonize domestic legislation with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and other international standards. As part of this undertaking, a new Children’s Code will legislate all CRC rights and principles not found in other national legislation. The new legislation will cover the rights of all children to health, education, participation and protection and enable enforcement of the CRC in Bangladesh.
UNICEF has also supported the Government to amend the 1974 Children Act – which covers children in conflict with the law and children in need of protection – in line with the CRC. UNICEF is advocating for the establishment of an independent body or commissioner for child rights.
Juvenile justice
UNICEF is working towards a child-friendly justice system that diverts children in contact with the law to appropriate social support services, instead of depriving them of liberty in detention centres.
To sensitize the legal and law enforcement communities to international child rights and standards of justice for children, UNICEF supports multisectoral training for judges, magistrates, police officers, probation officers, lawyers, social workers and staff in institutions. UNICEF assists the Government to coordinate UN, NGO and government partners working for justice for children.
In 2004, following advocacy efforts by UNICEF, the minimum age of criminal responsibility was raised from seven to nine. Enforcement remains difficult because many children have no proof of their age due to low levels of birth registration.
Legislative reform
UNICEF supports government efforts to harmonize domestic legislation with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and other international standards. As part of this undertaking, a new Children’s Code will legislate all CRC rights and principles not found in other national legislation. The new legislation will cover the rights of all children to health, education, participation and protection and enable enforcement of the CRC in Bangladesh.
UNICEF has also supported the Government to amend the 1974 Children Act – which covers children in conflict with the law and children in need of protection – in line with the CRC. UNICEF is advocating for the establishment of an independent body or commissioner for child rights.
Juvenile justice
UNICEF is working towards a child-friendly justice system that diverts children in contact with the law to appropriate social support services, instead of depriving them of liberty in detention centres.
To sensitize the legal and law enforcement communities to international child rights and standards of justice for children, UNICEF supports multisectoral training for judges, magistrates, police officers, probation officers, lawyers, social workers and staff in institutions. UNICEF assists the Government to coordinate UN, NGO and government partners working for justice for children.
Children at risk
Children at risk
UNICEF’s work to protect children at risk includes legislative and institutional reform, advocacy on the rights and requirements of vulnerable children, capacity building of child protection services and piloting of child protection systems.
A national protection system
UNICEF is advocating for a national child protection system to support all vulnerable children, including:
orphans
children living on the streets
working children
children in conflict with the law
victims of trafficking, violence, abuse and exploitation.
The system will link together all organizations and institutions (public and private) that support children at risk. Outreach activities will identify different groups of vulnerable children and help them access services for health, shelter, education, social and legal assistance.
To support the network, UNICEF is facilitating the development of a national child protection information management system and the design of national social services training.
Community-based care
UNICEF is piloting a number of community-based child protection systems.
Children orphaned or made vulnerable by Cyclone Sidr have been fostered by relatives or other families in their local communities. The 2,000 foster families receive monthly cash transfers and are visited every month by government social workers.
199 former camel jockeys have been successfully reunited with their families. The reintegration programme for the camel jockeys will serve as a model for future community-based care initiatives.
UNICEF is working to establish a protection system for Rohingya refugee children in Cox’s Bazar in collaboration with UNHCR.
Institutional reform
UNICEF is developing minimum care standards for institutions that care for orphans, children in contact with the law, and victims of trafficking and abuse. This has included training for institution staff in child-friendly and gender-appropriated care.
UNICEF supports institutionalization only as a last resort and is seeking to decrease the number of children living in institutions through legal reform and alternative care policies, including the development of a separate juvenile justice code.
Drop-in centres for children living on the street
UNICEF supports reintegration services for over 5,000 children living on the streets in six city corporations. Children in drop-in centres receive basic education, counselling, life-skills training and job placement, as well as food and shelter. Family support and community outreach activities encourage parents and community members to interact with the children and help them readjust to life in the general community.
Support for camel jockeys
Since 2005, UNICEF has worked closely with the Government of the United Arab Emirates to repatriate 168 trafficked camel jockeys and provide support for a further 31 boys who returned independently to Bangladesh. The children lived in shelters on their return, where they received medical, educational and psycho-social support. The children then moved back to their communities, where support continues to be available through community care committees. The committees also work to raise awareness about trafficking and protect other children from human traffickers.
Uniting against trafficking
UNICEF is working with the Government of India and the Government of Bangladesh to prevent cross border human trafficking and develop a uniform system for the rescue, recovery, repatriation and reintegration of trafficking victims. UNICEF works to repatriate and reintegrate children who have been trafficked to India for sexual or commercial exploitation.
UNICEF’s work to protect children at risk includes legislative and institutional reform, advocacy on the rights and requirements of vulnerable children, capacity building of child protection services and piloting of child protection systems.
A national protection system
UNICEF is advocating for a national child protection system to support all vulnerable children, including:
orphans
children living on the streets
working children
children in conflict with the law
victims of trafficking, violence, abuse and exploitation.
The system will link together all organizations and institutions (public and private) that support children at risk. Outreach activities will identify different groups of vulnerable children and help them access services for health, shelter, education, social and legal assistance.
To support the network, UNICEF is facilitating the development of a national child protection information management system and the design of national social services training.
Community-based care
UNICEF is piloting a number of community-based child protection systems.
Children orphaned or made vulnerable by Cyclone Sidr have been fostered by relatives or other families in their local communities. The 2,000 foster families receive monthly cash transfers and are visited every month by government social workers.
199 former camel jockeys have been successfully reunited with their families. The reintegration programme for the camel jockeys will serve as a model for future community-based care initiatives.
UNICEF is working to establish a protection system for Rohingya refugee children in Cox’s Bazar in collaboration with UNHCR.
Institutional reform
UNICEF is developing minimum care standards for institutions that care for orphans, children in contact with the law, and victims of trafficking and abuse. This has included training for institution staff in child-friendly and gender-appropriated care.
UNICEF supports institutionalization only as a last resort and is seeking to decrease the number of children living in institutions through legal reform and alternative care policies, including the development of a separate juvenile justice code.
Drop-in centres for children living on the street
UNICEF supports reintegration services for over 5,000 children living on the streets in six city corporations. Children in drop-in centres receive basic education, counselling, life-skills training and job placement, as well as food and shelter. Family support and community outreach activities encourage parents and community members to interact with the children and help them readjust to life in the general community.
Support for camel jockeys
Since 2005, UNICEF has worked closely with the Government of the United Arab Emirates to repatriate 168 trafficked camel jockeys and provide support for a further 31 boys who returned independently to Bangladesh. The children lived in shelters on their return, where they received medical, educational and psycho-social support. The children then moved back to their communities, where support continues to be available through community care committees. The committees also work to raise awareness about trafficking and protect other children from human traffickers.
Uniting against trafficking
UNICEF is working with the Government of India and the Government of Bangladesh to prevent cross border human trafficking and develop a uniform system for the rescue, recovery, repatriation and reintegration of trafficking victims. UNICEF works to repatriate and reintegrate children who have been trafficked to India for sexual or commercial exploitation.
UNICEF runs an adolescent empowerment project to help prevent child marriage, dowry and other forms of abuse and exploitation of adolescents, especial
UNICEF runs an adolescent empowerment project to help prevent child marriage, dowry and other forms of abuse and exploitation of adolescents, especially girls. The project targets 100,000 boys and girls, and their families and communities.
Peer education
In 28 districts across Bangladesh, UNICEF sponsors 2,580 adolescent centres, where trained adolescent leaders educate their peers about child rights, child marriage, reproductive health, gender, HIV/AIDS, dowry, and violence. Sessions on critical thinking and communication encourage adolescents to build on their new knowledge by speaking to parents about the issues that affect them. The centres also provide a safe place for adolescents to socialize and discuss their concerns.
Participation
The centres run various cultural and sporting activities. Encouraging girls to play sport helps address gender disparities, boosting girls’ mobility and participation in community activities. Through some of the centres, adolescent girls can access training in small business management and livelihood trades, such as garment manufacture. Increasing the economic worth of adolescents strengthens arguments against child marriage and dowry.
A supportive community
Parents and community members participate in sessions at the centres that are linked to the adolescents’ programmes. These adults meet regularly with the adolescents, helping to build a support network for the teenagers. Adults and adolescents work together to prevent child rights abuses in the local community.
The Bangladesh Shishu (Children’s) Academy has adopted training modules and teaching aids from the adolescent project, meaning that UNICEF interventions now reach adolescents in all 64 districts of Bangladesh, helping to build a culture of female empowerment and delayed marriage.
Peer education
In 28 districts across Bangladesh, UNICEF sponsors 2,580 adolescent centres, where trained adolescent leaders educate their peers about child rights, child marriage, reproductive health, gender, HIV/AIDS, dowry, and violence. Sessions on critical thinking and communication encourage adolescents to build on their new knowledge by speaking to parents about the issues that affect them. The centres also provide a safe place for adolescents to socialize and discuss their concerns.
Participation
The centres run various cultural and sporting activities. Encouraging girls to play sport helps address gender disparities, boosting girls’ mobility and participation in community activities. Through some of the centres, adolescent girls can access training in small business management and livelihood trades, such as garment manufacture. Increasing the economic worth of adolescents strengthens arguments against child marriage and dowry.
A supportive community
Parents and community members participate in sessions at the centres that are linked to the adolescents’ programmes. These adults meet regularly with the adolescents, helping to build a support network for the teenagers. Adults and adolescents work together to prevent child rights abuses in the local community.
The Bangladesh Shishu (Children’s) Academy has adopted training modules and teaching aids from the adolescent project, meaning that UNICEF interventions now reach adolescents in all 64 districts of Bangladesh, helping to build a culture of female empowerment and delayed marriage.
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