Bangladesh’s child protection system is failing due to weak enforcement despite adequate laws, said experts at a roundtable on Saturday, citing a sharp rise in child rape cases and an extremely low conviction rate.
The roundtable titled “Child Abuse in Bangladesh and the Way Forward,” attended by lawmakers, legal experts, mental health professionals, journalists, and civil society representatives called for urgent reforms to strengthen child safety mechanisms.
It was organised by the Legal and Health Assistance Cell for Abused Women and Children at the Shaheed Abu Sayed Convention Centre in Shahbagh.
Speakers said child rape cases more than doubled in 2025 compared to the previous year, while convictions remained below two per cent. Data presented at the event showed that by December 2025, 456 child rape cases had been reported, 234 more than the total recorded in 2024.
A UNICEF report revealed that more than 5,600 cases of sexual violence against children were reported between 2013 and 2024, but Bangladesh secured only 20 convictions during that period.
While speaking as chief guest, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaysar Kamal called for the immediate formation of a national taskforce on child protection and the establishment of a National Commission for Child Protection. He urged the government to consult experts and citizens from different sectors to develop a coordinated approach.
Questioning public awareness of the child helpline 1098, Kamal said the service remains largely unknown due to inadequate government outreach. He also demanded the introduction of a child offender registry and fast-track investigation and trial procedures for child abuse cases. “The country needs practical action, not political statements,” he said, urging the relevant ministries to take immediate steps.
State Minister for Social Welfare Farjana Sharmin Putul acknowledged that although Bangladesh has introduced multiple laws, loopholes continue to exist. She said child protection requires collective responsibility from families, schools, businesses, and civil society.
Human rights lawyer Barrister Rashna Imam said the main challenge is not a lack of legislation but poor implementation. She identified the absence of an effective witness protection system as a major barrier to securing convictions.
WHO representative Dr. Towhid Islam said violence against women and children creates long-term social and economic consequences, calling for a sustainable and systemic response rather than reactions to individual incidents.
Mental health expert Professor Dr. Saifun Nahar highlighted the severe psychological impact of abuse on survivors, saying many struggle with deep emotional trauma and self-blame.
Managing Editor of The Daily Observer Mohammad Mahtab Uddin emphasized the need for accurate baseline data and stronger data management systems to guide future policies.
MP Nipun Roy Chowdhury warned that digital platforms have increased risks for children, including cyberbullying, online harassment, and the misuse of children’s images. She proposed a national child protection dashboard, a mobile complaint application, and local-level child protection committees involving teachers, religious leaders, and community representatives.
Father of Ramisa, a child who was recently raped and murdered in Mirpur’s Pallabi area, also spoke at the roundtable.
The roundtable concluded with recommendations including mandatory child protection policies in schools, child protection case management desks at district and upazila levels, a national database linking police, courts, hospitals, and NGOs, improved medical training for documenting abuse, and stronger media guidelines to protect victims’ identities.
