Nine out of ten children, aged 1-14 years, regularly endure psychological aggression or physical punishment at home in Bangladesh, UNICEF said on Thursday.
"Despite progress in child protection, violence, abuse, and exploitation continue to impact millions of children in Bangladesh. Children still face violent discipline each month by caregivers, affecting over 45 million children in Bangladesh," UNICEF has stated.
"Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment," said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, while releasing the study.
The estimates, released on the first-ever International Day of Play, also emphasise the crucial role of play in childrens development and the mental health of children, parents, and caregivers. This comes in response to data highlighting the prevalence of inadequate caregiving, including a lack of stimulation and interaction at home.
According to new UNICEF data, 400 million children under 5 globally-or 6 in 10 children within that age group-regularly endure psychological aggression or physical punishment at home.
Of these children, around 330 million are subjected to physical discipline.
"In 2023 alone, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), through the Sports for Development (S4D) programme, has reached 4.5 million parents nationwide. Our goal is to create a society where every child can thrive and reach their full potential," Yett added.
UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), and other ministries, is working to create a violence-free and protected environment for families, communities, and vulnerable populations, including children and adolescents.
Through their partnerships with the government of Bangladesh and a community-led approach, they are making significant strides in protecting over 16 million children and women from violence and harmful practices by investing in strengthening families.
The S4D initiative involves parents in discussions on child safety and violence prevention.
UNICEF supports these efforts with technical and financial assistance to ensure inclusive sporting activities.
Through these initiatives, UNICEF and the government of Bangladesh are leveraging sports to promote child empowerment and prevent violence, ensuring a safer, more inclusive environment for all children.
Additionally, UNICEF has established 2,170 Child Protection Community Hubs (CPCHs) in 43 districts, preventing over 1,000 child marriages in 2023.
These hubs serve as safe spaces for children and families, providing essential protection services, recreational activities, and psychosocial support.
The CPCHs have educated over 6 million community members on preventing violence against children and women and have supported key actions like birth registrations and school re-enrolment.
As a key milestone, it is paramount to increase the number of social workers who are the backbone of a functional child protection system.
