STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Speakers at a national event yesterday called for urgent, coordinated reforms to protect women and children from rising violence and trafficking.
They stressed the need to strengthen child protection, social services, the justice system, and prevention efforts.
The remarks were made during the launch of the report “Stopping the Traffic: Prevalence and Prevention of Trafficking of Women and Children in Bangladesh (2025)”, jointly produced by the Government of Sweden and Unicef Bangladesh.
Launched by child protection advocates, government officials, and civil society representatives, the report provides key evidence and recommendations to guide national policies and coordinated action to protect vulnerable groups.
The report calls for scaling up a universal child protection system through a national case management system, child protection community hubs, functional child welfare boards, protection committees, and counter trafficking committees in all districts. It also proposes linking birth registration with access to health, education, and social services.
To strengthen justice and accountability, it recommends increased resources for anti-trafficking tribunals, child-sensitive training for law enforcement and the judiciary, full implementation of the national referral mechanism, and compensation schemes for survivors.
The event featured a moderated discussion led by Natalie McCauley, chief of Child Protection at Unicef.
The panel included Fahima Kader, additional superintendent of police at PHQ; Mohd Sadiqul Haque, national project director of the CSPB Project at the Department of Social Services; Salma Ali, lawyer and rights activist; and Dr Sanzida Akhter, professor of Women and Gender Studies at Dhaka University.
Launched by child protection advocates, government officials, and civil society representatives, the report provides key evidence and recommendations to guide national policies and coordinated action to protect vulnerable groups.