ActionAid Bangladesh and its partners are trying to ensure child rights and their development through the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA). Udayankur Seba Sangstha (USS) has been implementing various types of intervention to ensure child rights as one of the partner organizations of ActionAid Bangladesh and one of them is the celebration of the World Children Day & Child Rights Week 2021. Bangladesh government declared 04 October to 10th October 2021 as the Child Rights Week - 2021. Along with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), different organizations observe the week with different activities. The theme of the week, decided by the government, was “Invest for Children, Build Prosperous World’’ (Shishur Jonno Biniyog Kori, Somriddho Bishwo Gori)'.
Events at the community level:
Receptive village-based child protection Committee (VBCPC) chairpersons inaugurated the World Children Day & Child Rights Week 2021 in 2 venues in Shimulbari and Borovita Union Parishad’s hall room. VBCPC members, reflection group members, government school teachers, and local elites were present in the events proactively. Main events on World Children Day & Child Rights Week 2021 are art, quiz competition, and storytelling and sharing meeting with Upazila administration Phulbari, Kurigram. 120 children participated in different competitions in eight child spaces. Selected community people were playing the role of judges of the competitions. Finally, 09 children were rewarded for different events. Children were very happy to receive the rewards from guests.
Sharing meeting with Upazila Administration:
Md. Golam Rabbani Sarkar, Upazila Chairmen was present as chief guest, and Mr. Sumon Das- Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) was playing the role of the chair. Other government officials were present as special guests who were Upazila Women Affairs Officer, Upazila Secondary Officer, Upazila Social Services Officer, Upazila Youth Development Officer, Upazila Assistant Primary Education Officer, and some print & electronic media persons were present at the events. Borsha, a member of the child forum, presented her keynote which was made on the cause and effect of climate change on children.
Mr. Arifur, a member of CJG raised the question to the respective authority, “When the dredging and piling of Dhorola Rivers would start?” Moreover, Sourovi, another member of the child forum said, “Government already allocated the housing facilities among the poor but need emphasis to who are losing their house in river erosion.” Aduri, a member of the child forum said, “Children are mostly affected by climate change but there is no mechanism to protect the children, we are proposing to the respective authority to take some programmatic interventions which are for child health, child protection especially for preventing child marriage.”
Prize distribution ceremony:
09 Children were awarded in a different category, and they received the crest from Upazila Chairmen, UNO, and other honorable guests. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Phulbari, Kurigram, and chair of the event said, “I am very happy and a lot of thanks to Borsha for presenting her innovative keynote. She carried out detailed information about the causes of climate change. At the same age as Borsha, I don’t have the same knowledge of climate change.”
Some expressions of children:
“I am very happy to receive the two crests for the drawing & quiz competition and these are my first awards in my life.” – said Rupanti.
“My mother is very happy to receive the crest from UNO and Upazila Chairman. It is very exciting to receive the award on child rights week 2021.” added by Likhon.
“This is the first time I am appearing in any competition. As a result, it increased my confidence level to appear in any competition at our school and others.” stated Sweeti.
