Corporate sector urged to step up for vulnerable children

Civil society activists on Tuesday called on corporate organisations to play a greater role in protecting the rights of vulnerable children, particularly those living on the streets who face exploitation, violence and social exclusion.

The call came at a consultation titled ‘Corporate Social Responsibility and Child Sponsorship’ held at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka, and organised by INCIDIN Bangladesh, a rights-based organisation working to protect children’s rights.

Representatives from 20 local and international corporate organisations attended the event.

Speakers said children living on the streets, especially survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, are exposed to severe forms of violence on a daily basis. They said many face physical abuse, sexual violence, forced labour, trafficking, substance abuse and coercion by criminal networks and exploitative adults.

Citing a scoping study conducted by INCIDIN Bangladesh, they said around 72 per cent of street-connected children experience repeated trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, depression, fear and social isolation, significantly affecting their mental health, development and future prospects.

The speakers observed that these children remain largely excluded from mainstream social protection systems and public services, while existing policies and programmes often fail to address their specific needs. Many are unable to access education, healthcare, shelter services or legal protection because they lack birth certificates, permanent addresses or other identity documents.
They said addressing the challenges faced by street-connected children requires collective action and innovative partnerships beyond traditional donor funding.

Highlighting the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the speakers said businesses can contribute to national development priorities while fulfilling their social commitments. Through child sponsorship programmes and broader CSR initiatives, corporate organisations can help ensure access to education, shelter, nutrition, healthcare, psychosocial support, life skills development and social reintegration services for vulnerable children.