The case for a child affairs reform commission

A recent study by Unicef has estimated that over 3.4 million children in Bangladesh are living on the streets without parental care, where they are exposed to abuse, neglect, and extreme poverty. Photo: TBS

The student-led July uprising that toppled the 16-year regime of Sheikh Hasina and installed the interim government on 8 August 2024 was a defining moment for Bangladesh. Led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, this administration has committed itself to the ambitious task of 'state repair.'.  

It has already begun laying the groundwork for reform by forming eleven independent commissions, each tasked with addressing vital issues such as constitutional revision, judicial reform, electoral processes, public administration, police accountability, anti-corruption, health, mass media, workers' rights, local government, and women's affairs. 

Yet, amid this comprehensive reform agenda, a glaring omission has surfaced: the lack of a dedicated commission for child affairs. It is disheartening, since, according to a report by the Child Rights Advocacy Coalition of Bangladesh, at least 121 children were shot dead by law enforcement and other agencies during the July Uprising. 

Moreover, this oversight is particularly troubling given the vulnerable condition of millions of children in Bangladesh, many of whom were directly affected by the uprising and continue to suffer systemic neglect. 

The exclusion of child-related concerns from the interim government's agenda is deeply disheartening. Although a Women's Affairs Reform Commission has been established, it has not incorporated issues affecting children, even though the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs exists in the country. 

This exclusion raises pressing questions: Why has the plight of children been overlooked? And why can't child affairs be included in the existing commission on women's affairs reform or addressed through a separate entity? 

Children constitute a significant portion of Bangladesh's population, and their well-being is inextricably linked to the country's future. Their voices, however, are absent from public discourse, as they lack the ability and platform to advocate for their rights. It is, therefore, the moral responsibility of the interim government to champion their cause.

The statistics on child rights violations in Bangladesh paint a grim picture. According to the National Child Labour Survey 2022, there are some 3.54 million working children aged 5–17 in Bangladesh, with 1.76 million not in child labour and 1.78 million in child labour, including 1.07 million in hazardous child labour. 

These children are deprived of education, health care, and the opportunity to experience a childhood free from exploitation. A significant proportion of these children are street children, whose numbers have risen alarmingly in recent years. 

A recent study by Unicef has estimated that over 3.4 million children in Bangladesh are living on the streets without parental care, where they are exposed to abuse, neglect, and extreme poverty. These children, who bore the brunt of systemic failures, were among the most affected during the uprising against the previous regime. Many lost their lives or were injured in the violence, yet their sacrifices remain unacknowledged. 

Despite laws prohibiting child labour, enforcement remains weak, and children as young as six years old can be found working in factories, workshops, and households.

The interim government's reform agenda offers a unique opportunity to address these longstanding issues, but this can only be achieved if children are given the attention they deserve. Establishing a dedicated Child Affairs Reforms Commission or integrating child-related concerns into the existing Women's Affairs Reforms Commission would be a step in the right direction. 

Such a commission could focus on critical issues such as eradicating child labour, ensuring birth registration for all children, including those who are parentless, improving access to education, ensuring health care for all children, and protecting street children from abuse and exploitation. It could also advocate for policy changes to uphold children's rights and ensure their inclusion in national development strategies.

The argument for prioritising children in the state reform agenda is not merely ethical but also pragmatic. Children represent the future of Bangladesh, and investing in their well-being is essential for the country's progress. 

Neglecting their needs will only exacerbate existing social and economic disparities, hindering the nation's ability to achieve sustainable development. By addressing the systemic issues that affect children, the interim government can lay the foundation for a more just and equitable society. 

As Bangladesh embarks on this journey of state repair, it is crucial to recognise that true reform cannot be achieved without addressing the needs of its most vulnerable citizens. Children, who lack the means to voice their concerns and demand their rights, must not be left behind. 

Sketch: TBS

Rabiul Alam is an independent writer and a graduate of the Asian College of Journalism in India.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.