A national consultation meeting on “Child-Friendly Journalism in Nation Building” called for stronger government and non-government efforts to ensure early childhood care and prevent drowning deaths. Speakers highlighted the Integrated Community-Based Childcare Centres (ICBC) project, which provides early childhood development support for children aged 1-5 and swimming and safety training for those aged 6-10.
The event was held Wednesday, 14th January in Dhaka and organised by Somosti, with support from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Bangladesh Shishu Academy and Synergos.
Launched in 2022, the project completed its first phase in 2025. The second phase will benefit 520,000 children with swimming training and 320,000 children with early childhood support across 14 districts.
The National Health and Injury Survey 2024 shows that over 51 people die from drowning daily in Bangladesh, more than 75% of them children. Nearly 40 children die each day, making drowning a leading cause of death among ages 1-4.
Chief Guest Momtaz Ahmed, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, said the government is expanding initiatives to protect children and called for wider media coverage of these efforts. Speakers stressed the need for trust-based cooperation between the government, development partners and media to make child protection programs sustainable.
Esha Hossain, Country Director of Synergos Bangladesh, said community engagement is one of the project’s main strengths. “No separate infrastructure is rented or purchased. Local communities voluntarily provide space for childcare centres,” she said. She added that the second phase will focus on underserved and high-risk areas.
Senior journalists attending the meeting included Sohrab Hasan, Editor of Charcha.com; Reaz Ahmed, Editor of Dhaka Tribune; Firoz Chowdhury, Assistant Editor of The Daily Prothom Alo; Zahirul Alam, Head of News of Channel 24; Zahid Newaz Khan, Chief Executive Editor of Channel I; Suchi Sayeed, Deputy Editor of Jugantor; Salma Yasmin, Senior News Editor of Bangla Vision; Kajol Ghosh, News Editor of Dainik Manabzamin; Rabeya Beby of Mohila Angoon Daily Ittefaq; Shahnaz Sharmin of Ekattor Television; Saidur Rahman Rumi of Amar Desh; and others.
In her closing remarks, Mosammat Arju Ara Begum, Director General of Bangladesh Shishu Academy, urged media and development partners to continue supporting programs that improve children’s lives.
