A folk music and healthcare camp aimed at preventing child marriage and child abuse and raising health awareness among underprivileged and street children was held at Tejgaon Railway Station in the capital on Sunday.
The programme was organised by the non-governmental development organisation LEEDO at Khelaghar Samaj Kalyan Sangha inside the railway station premises.
According to the organisers, more than 100 underprivileged and street children participated in the event. The children were provided with information on child rights and protection through storytelling sessions before taking part in cultural activities.
LEEDO’s child folk musicians performed songs accompanied by traditional musical instruments, including dhols and dotaras, to raise awareness about the harmful effects of child marriage and methods of self-protection against abuse.
A healthcare camp was also conducted as part of the programme. Experienced doctors examined more than 100 street children suffering from malnutrition and skin diseases and distributed medicines and nutritious food free of charge.
The organisers said the initiative was undertaken against the backdrop of continuing concerns over child marriage and child abuse in Bangladesh. Citing UNICEF data, they said 51 per cent of girls in Bangladesh are married before the age of 18.
They also referred to statistics from Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) for 2024-25, which indicate that more than 1,000 children face various forms of physical, mental and sexual abuse annually, with a significant number being floating and street children in the capital.
Speakers at the event stressed the need to build social awareness through cultural activities alongside legal measures to prevent child marriage and child abuse.
LEEDO representatives said the organisation would continue its efforts to ensure education, healthcare and protection for underprivileged and street children.
Joining the programme virtually, LEEDO Founder and Executive Director Forhad Hossain said the organisation had been conducting awareness programmes for a long time to protect the rights of underprivileged and street children and ensure their sustainable protection.
He urged citizens and relevant stakeholders to take effective measures to strengthen social safety for rootless children, prevent child marriage and protect them from drug abuse.
Local dignitaries, journalists and representatives of government and non-government organisations were also present at the event.
