By Mizan Rahman
Dhaka
The Bangladesh prime minister yesterday asked the ministries of women and children affairs and social welfare to take necessary steps to ensure food, shelter and education of street children.
“No child should live on the street. The government has the capacity to feed reportedly 3.4mn street children as we have ensured food security for 160mn people,” Sheikh Hasina said.
The PM also urged the authorities concerned to ensure admission of every child in the schools of their areas saying it’s the right of every child to get admission in the schools of the area where they live. She asked the official of her office to monitor and coordinate with the ministries in this regard.
Hasina said this while inaugurating World Children Day and Children’s Rights Week at Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium in Dhaka yesterday.
The PM also reiterated her call not to make education as burden for children but create an atmosphere in the schools and families where they would agree to take lesson on their own and feel encouraged in learning.
Hasina also unequivocally said the government by no means would accept violence on domestic helps and engagement of children in any risky job saying the government would not tolerate any
oppression on children.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroj Chumki presided over the function organised by Women and Children Affairs (MOWCA). Unicef country representative Edouard Beigbeder attended the function as special guest.
The PM said it is the responsibility of the government to raise the children as worthy citizens as they would lead the country in different fronts in future. “As well, every child has to know the country’s history, culture and heritage. Without knowing the glorious history of country, future generation would not be inspired to win in the life struggle,” she said.
Hasina said her government is making constant efforts to ensure welfare of the children as enshrined in the
constitution.
The PM said her government has given special attention to food security and nutrition of every child as well as the nutrition of the mothers which resulted in reducing child and maternal mortality rate.
Maternal leave for working women has been allowed for six months so that infants get mother’s care for more time, she said urging all concerned to open day-care centre in every offices both in public and
private sector.
Laying importance on proper physical and mental growth of children, the Prime Minister said all children need access to sports and recreational activities. In this regard the she laid emphasis on keeping sufficient open space in every flats and residential areas for playing.
Urging everybody to take extra care of the autistic children the PM said her government has a plan to open special counseling in schools for the children suffering from metabolic disorder.