National University (NU) Vice-Chancellor A S M Amanullah has called for a nationwide social movement to protect child rights, prevent child marriage and child labour and address health risks facing children, saying policies and projects alone would not be enough without coordinated action by families, educational institutions, society and the state.
Amanullah made the remarks on Wednesday at a seminar titled “50 Years in Children’s Dreams: Achievements, Experiences and the Bangladesh of Tomorrow” at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium in Dhaka. The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs organised the event under the slogan “Let every child have a secure future” to mark Children’s Rights Day 2026 and the academy’s 50th anniversary, National University said in a press release.
“Data show that children in this country are the most neglected,” Amanullah said.
He called for creating “child marriage champions” at district, upazila, union and village levels and presenting people who have successfully prevented child marriages as role models in their communities.
Child marriage has reached an alarming level in the country, he said.
Amanullah cited a range of health and social risks facing children. He said 24 per cent of children suffer from severe malnutrition, with the rate rising to between 36 per cent and 45 per cent among children in slums and coastal areas.
He said nearly 40 per cent of children are affected by lead pollution, with the figure reaching as high as 60 per cent in some urban areas.
The under-five mortality rate stands at 33 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2025. The source press release described the figure as 33 per cent, but the official survey reports it as 33 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Turning to education, Amanullah, also a development researcher, said the national primary school enrolment rate is 80 per cent but falls to 77.2 per cent in urban slums and ranges between 78 per cent and 82 per cent in coastal areas.
He said absenteeism at the secondary level is around 34 per cent, while secondary education completion rates remain below 30 per cent or between 30 per cent and 35 per cent in urban slums and coastal regions.
Amanullah said the number of working children aged five to 17 has risen to 3.5 million, while the child labour rate has increased from 6.8 per cent to 9.2 per cent.
Of them, 1.07 million children work in hazardous conditions, he said, adding that more than 60 per cent of working children in urban slums are engaged in hazardous work.
Expressing concern over child marriage, he said between 47 per cent and 50 per cent of girls are married before turning 18.
The rate exceeds 58 per cent in climate-vulnerable coastal areas, he said.
“One in every two children in the country is a victim of child marriage,” Amanullah said, adding that the situation was making achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals increasingly difficult.
He also said 86 per cent of children experience violence at home or school.
Amanullah said the state had failed to adequately protect children and alleged that the situation worsened under the previous political government as it focused on displaying visible development.
He called for an integrated “crash programme” to improve the situation, arguing that no single institution or ministry could solve the problems alone.
Families, educational institutions, society and the state must work together, while Bangladesh Shishu Academy should play a coordinating role, he said.
Amanullah said National University’s network could be mobilised for nationwide child-focused programmes.
The university has around four million students at nearly 2,500 affiliated colleges, he said, adding that the network could be used to promote child rights, prevent child marriage and child labour and raise health awareness.
He also called for members of National University’s BNCC and Rover Scout units to be connected with Bangladesh Shishu Academy for such activities.
Amanullah, an educationist, said food, clothing and safety alone were not enough for a child’s development.
Children also need love, care, proper education, healthy recreation and opportunities to express themselves, he said.
Child rights cannot be treated as an isolated issue because physical and mental development are closely linked with education, culture, creativity and social security, he added.
Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain chaired the seminar, while Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan attended as chief guest.
Selima Rahman, chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, attended as special guest. Their current roles are also reflected in recent official and BSS reports.
Jatiya Press Club President and poet Hasan Hafiz was the chief discussant, while Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmad presented the keynote paper.
Women and Children Affairs Secretary Rawshan Ara Begum delivered the welcome address.
Dhaka University Sociology Professor Salma Akhter and clinical psychologist Professor Kamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury also took part in the discussion.
Bangladesh Shishu Academy Director General Arju Ara Begum delivered the vote of thanks.
