Platform stressed for disadvantaged children
Speakers at a workshop yesterday stressed the need for building a common platform of those working for the empowerment of disadvantaged children with a view to ensuring their rights.
Speakers also emphasised on the inclusive development of disadvantaged children to ensure their empowerment.
The national workshop and conference styled “Psychological Support for Disadvantaged Children†was organised by Aparajeyo Bangladesh and ARBAN.
"Most works done for children by NGOs, government or individuals are isolated. Now is the time for a concerted effort and we need a national push for this purpose," said Prof Shaheen Islam, chairperson of educational and counselling psychology department of Dhaka University.
Disadvantaged children should be treated with respect and dignity to make them feel included in the society and only then will they have a sense of accomplishment and self esteem, she added.
Md Kamaluddin, coordinator of ARBAN, said poverty, lack of rehabilitation, ignorance and negative attitude were major contributing factors that make disadvantaged children feel excluded.
Inclusive development is of utmost importance for the empowerment of disadvantaged children, he said, adding that concerted efforts are needed for bringing about change in social perception and education system in this regard.
Referring to the incidents of child abuse in the country, speakers stressed the need for ensuring legal support services to the victims and raising mass awareness on the issue.
The event was organised under the framework of the European Union and Terre de homes (TDH) Italia's co-funded project “Developing a safety net for urban marginalised and disadvantaged children.â€
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