Bangladesh political parties unite on child rights at UNICEF forum
UNICEF forum sees rare cross-party unity on ending child labor, early marriage, and ensuring safe education; leaders call for accountability and real implementation of child-focused policies
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Leaders from 14 political parties across Bangladesh convened on Monday at a UNICEF-organized national forum, pledging collective action to protect children from exploitation, early marriage, and unsafe environments, and to prioritize inclusive education and child welfare in upcoming political agendas.
The event brought together representatives from ruling and opposition parties, labor unions, and civil society groups, forming an uncommon cross-party consensus around UNICEF’s 10-point Child Rights Manifesto, which outlines policy commitments for child protection, nutrition, education, and social support systems.
According to the Dhaka Tribune, speakers stressed that political promises must be backed by practical implementation and increased public spending to safeguard the country’s more than six million vulnerable children.
Child rights advocates say that despite laws banning child labor and early marriage, enforcement remains weak, and economic inequality continues to push children out of school and into informal work. Bangladesh still records one of the highest rates of early marriage in Asia, and child labor surged during the COVID-19 years as families lost income.
At the forum, BNP’s Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan acknowledged resource limitations as a major barrier to progress and urged collaborative efforts to strengthen safety nets for marginalized children.
Leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, AB Party, the Socialist Party of Bangladesh, Nagorik Oikya, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gono Shonghoti, Khilafat Majlis, Jatiya Party, and others emphasized accountability systems, safe schooling, and stronger monitoring to prevent exploitation.
Trade union representatives highlighted that child labor cannot be eliminated without economic reforms supporting low-income families, while civil society participants called for child-centered budgets, expanded healthcare and nutrition services, and practical steps to ensure every child has a legal identity through universal birth registration.
UNICEF’s Child Rights Manifesto urges:
- Strict enforcement to end child labor and child marriage
- Safe and inclusive schooling, especially for girls
- Targeted social protection for low-income families
- Improved access to health, nutrition, and WASH services
- Increased public investment, including 5% of GDP for education and healthcare
- Legal reforms aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
The forum concluded with broad agreement that protecting children must be central to national policy and budget allocation. UNICEF officials praised cross-party cooperation, calling it a critical step toward ensuring that future generations grow up “safe, healthy, educated, and empowered.”
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