They came up with this demand at the online meeting, arranged by Good Neighbors Bangladesh (GNB), said a press release on Wednesday.

“To safeguard the wellbeing of children, the government has planned to set up the Department of Children, construct children's complexes in all districts, and establish child daycare centres in all upazilas,” Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said in his budget speech.

Lauding this announcement, the speakers urged the government to announce a specific budget for children.

Presiding over the programme, GNB Country Director M Mainuddin Mainul, said “We’ve been demanding for a Ministry or Department dedicated only to children for protecting their rights for a long time.”

The proposed department for children will help protecting children rights, he said adding that GNB is ready to assist the government in policy making in this regard.   

Scan Bangladesh General Secretary Moniruzzaman Mukul said concerted efforts of all are needed to implement the government decisions. Local governments should also get involved, he added.

Mukul urged the authorities to form a taskforce with government organisations and non-government organisations to implement the schemes related to children in the budget.

Speakers also urge the government to take effective steps to stop violence against children and women during Covid-19 pandemic. They also demanded to ensure food and treatment for children during this pandemic.

Moniruzzaman Mukul, General Secretary, Scan Bangladesh; Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, journalist; Golam Kibria Shimul, president, 'Ek Ranga Ek Ghuri'; SM Masudul Islam Neel, founder & executive director, executive director of Apon Foundation; Nusrat Eka, co-founder of Hasimukh; Anand Kumar Das, director SEDRM;  Joseph Tutul Biswas, RER manager and Remo Rony Haldar, Manager Communication team attended the webinar.

The webinar, organised by the international voluntary organisation GNB, was moderated by Razia Sultana, Manager Education and Health, GNB.

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