Experts at a policy dialogue titled “Safeguarding Childhood: Protecting Childhood and the Planet” highlighted that child marriage, excessive mobile use, climate change, and weak pre-primary education are major obstacles to child development.
The event, organised by Bangladesh Early Childhood Development Network (BEN) and Prokriti O Jibon Foundation at Channel i’s Mustafa Monowar Studio, said neglecting nutrition and safety after birth has long-term negative effects.
Minister for Women and Children Affairs, AZM Zahid Hossain, appearing as the chief guest, said laws alone are insufficient, urging for ethical values and coordinated social awareness between the government, private sector, and media.
BEN Vice-Chairperson Mahmuda Akhter said while every $1 invested in children can yield a $13 return, only 6% in Bangladesh use storybooks, while early mobile use is increasing neurological issues.
Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, added that 51% of girls are still married before 18, which significantly risks low-birth-weight infants and impairs early development.
Recommendations included integrating Early Childhood Development (ECD) into existing health systems, forming a separate child affairs department, and updating the 2013 ECD policy to include climate resilience and positive technology use.
Experts such as ASM Rahmat Ullah, Saidur Rahman Mashreky, and Syeda Sazia Zaman proposed using government family cards for messaging, expanding ECD through EPI programmes, and replacing exams with play-based learning.
Further suggestions involved mandatory caregiver certification, university-level parenting courses, and a central monitoring cell for ministerial coordination.
Closing the session, Muqeed Majumdar Babu, chairman of Prokriti O Jibon Foundation, added that a sustainable society requires equal priority for child development and environmental protection.
Plan International Bangladesh Director Kabita Bose also called for a social movement that values children’s voices to ensure a safe future.
