Government agencies, non-governmental organisations and youth-led groups have joined a coordination effort in Cox’s Bazar to improve protection services for adolescents who have survived sexual exploitation and gender-based violence.
The multi-stakeholder meeting was organised by JAAGO Foundation Trust under its Shopner Sarothi (Seashore Girls Initiative) project with support from UNICEF at Hotel Sea Palace Limited in Cox’s Bazar on Monday. Around 70 representatives from government agencies, national and international NGOs and youth organisations attended the meeting.
The initiative aims to make protection services more coordinated and accessible for adolescent and youth survivors by improving referral systems among service providers. Participants were briefed on available services in the district, enabling them to connect survivors directly with appropriate support, including medical care, counselling, safe shelter and legal aid.
The meeting reviewed findings from a service mapping exercise conducted by JAAGO Foundation Trust last year, which identified gaps in psychosocial counselling, safe shelter and reintegration support for survivors of Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Participants discussed ways to simplify referral pathways, with particular focus on strengthening coordination with the Victim Support Call Center operating in Cox’s Bazar.
“The awareness, participation and cooperation of men and young people in eliminating discrimination gives us hope. If a service seeker needs support beyond the 54 services under the Department of Social Services, they must be effectively referred to the appropriate institution or service provider. There is no scope to ignore, turn away or leave any service seeker helpless,” said Sazia Afrin, Social Service Officer at the City Social Services Office in Cox’s Bazar.
Discussions followed the Essential Services Package (ESP) framework, covering health, psychosocial support, safety and security, and legal aid. The meeting also highlighted Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) standards, allowing adolescents and young people to provide feedback on services and raise complaints when necessary.
“To ensure a safe environment for children, we must work with a clear understanding of society, social relationships, gender and the realities of discrimination. Alongside ensuring a safe, supportive and enabling environment for every child, all services must be child-friendly, inclusive and accessible,” said Syed Imtiaz Ahmed, Child Protection Officer at UNICEF Bangladesh.
At the end of the meeting, participating organisations announced individual commitments outlining steps they would take over the next 12 months to strengthen adolescent- and youth-friendly PSEA and GBV support in Cox’s Bazar. Organisers also appointed a focal point to monitor progress on these commitments.
The meeting was conducted in line with JAAGO Foundation and UNICEF’s Environmental and Social Standards. Organisers ensured accessibility for participants with disabilities and reduced the use of single-use plastics in catering arrangements.
