All children must be treated equally

All children, irrespective of their gender, must have equal opportunity to make the country a middle-income nation, said speakers at a programme in the capital yesterday.

National Girl Child Advocacy Forum, a platform of 178 organisations, and Shishu Academy organised the discussion at the academy in observance of the National Girl Child Day-2015 celebrated on September 30 every year.

Prior to the discussion, the organisers brought out a procession from Shahbagh to Shishu Academy.

A total of 48 percent of 3.2 crore children are girls, according to a statement published by the organisations. According to their data, 230 girls were raped till August this year.

Citing different media reports, the statement said 37 girls were subjected to early marriage, seven became victims of acid attacks and 35 girls were sexually harassed till August this year.

Quoting Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, the statement said 78 percent girls suffer from malnutrition, 90 percent of which is among girls of rural areas.

"Thirty five lakh children are currently at risk because of a lack of education, nutrition and other basics rights," said Meher Afroz Chumki, state minister at the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, as the chief guest of the programme.

Nasima Begum, secretary at the ministry, said the government needs to ensure safety and security of girls.

Afterwards, prizes were distributed among children who took part in an essay competition held on the occasion of the day.