The recently inaugurated administration in Bangladesh has commenced its duties at a crucial juncture. Bolstering the economy, revamping the education system, enhancing healthcare services, and upholding law and order are pressing national priorities. However, the progress at the national level would be futile if the safety of our children is compromised. Safeguarding children from physical, psychological, and sexual abuse must be a paramount focus of this government’s leadership.
As per Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, every child is entitled to protection from all forms of violence. The commitment to this cause is reiterated in Bangladesh’s National Children Policy 2011 and the Children Act, 2013. Nonetheless, the existing laws, though on paper, do not effectively shield children in reality. Alarming incidents of child homicide, rape, abduction, and severe punishment have become distressingly common.
Statistics from Ain o Salish Kendra reveal that in 2025 alone, 410 children lost their lives, and 456 fell victim to rape. These figures only represent reported cases, while countless children endure violence in silence. Preliminary results from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2025, conducted jointly by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and Unicef, suggest that 86 percent of children aged 1–14 experienced physical punishment in the month preceding the survey.
One prevalent and socially sanctioned form of violence is corporal punishment. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), it not only harms children but also yields no benefits. Corporal punishment is associated with physical harm, toxic stress, altered brain development, hindered socio-emotional growth, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, substance abuse, and suicidal tendencies. Rather than instilling discipline, it fosters aggression and antisocial behavior. There is no legitimate research that demonstrates positive outcomes of corporal punishment. When authoritative figures such as parents and teachers resort to violence, children internalize the notion that harm within close relationships is acceptable. Research indicates that individuals who experience violence during childhood are more likely to perpetrate or endure violence in later stages of life. Without eradicating corporal punishment, breaking the cycle of violence within society remains unattainable.
Sexual abuse leaves severe and enduring consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, suicidal ideation, anger, relationship challenges, and disruptions in education. However, numerous perpetrators evade punishment. A culture of impunity, coupled with deep-seated attitudes that view children as inferior, perpetuates the crisis. In many instances, families opt to remain silent to uphold “family honor” when abuse is perpetrated by relatives. Legal loopholes and feeble enforcement render children vulnerable to online threats as well.
Despite the Ministry of Education prohibiting corporal punishment in educational institutions in 2011, incidents of physical abuse and humiliation persist. Seventy nations have already outlawed corporal punishment in all settings, encompassing homes. Bangladesh is yet to join this group. When assaulting adults constitutes a crime while resorting to violence against children is condoned, the law itself becomes discriminatory. To achieve Sustainable Development Goal 16.2, which aims to eradicate all forms of violence against children by 2030, eliminating corporal punishment is imperative.
The newly elected government holds a historic opportunity to ensure that children grow up in a secure environment and actualize their full potential. Cases related to violence against children must be promptly investigated, and wrongdoers must face swift and exemplary justice. Survivors of sexual violence should receive comprehensive support, including healthcare, legal aid, psychosocial counseling, and rehabilitation, without encountering stigma or delays.
In alignment with the Children Act 2013, the child protection system requires fortification from the national down to the community levels. This necessitates meticulous planning, coordination, and sufficient budget allocations. Ministries responsible for women and children, health, education, social welfare, and law should collaborate rather than operate in isolation. Professionals across various sectors need structured training to identify, prevent, and address violence.
It is imperative to enact comprehensive legislation prohibiting corporal punishment in all settings, including homes, schools, workplaces, and alternative care institutions. The existing ban in educational institutions must be rigorously enforced and monitored. Experiences from countries like Sweden, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, Poland, and Romania demonstrate that legal reforms, coupled with public awareness campaigns, diminish both the acceptance and prevalence of corporal punishment over time.
The Interim Government has sanctioned the Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Ordinance 2026. This ordinance is designed to supplant the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010, and expands the definition of domestic violence to encompass physical, psychological, sexual, financial, and digital abuse. The legislation aims to shield women and children, prevent domestic abuse, expedite trials, and establish remedies that prioritize survivors. It is imperative for the newly elected government to enact this ordinance into law.
Urgent attention
