COX’S BAZAR — Law enforcement officials and child protection experts have issued a unified call for cross-sector collaboration to eliminate child marriage and child labour across the district.
The appeal was made during a high-level roundtable discussion titled “Building a Child Marriage- and Child Labour-Free Cox’s Bazar District to Ensure Child Protection.” The event took place at the conference room of the Cox’s Bazar Superintendent of Police’s office, bringing together key stakeholders to strategize on safeguarding local youth.
Key Highlights from the Discussion
-
Organized by World Vision: The Child Safety Net Project of World Vision Bangladesh hosted the morning session to address systemic vulnerabilities facing regional youth.
-
Zero Tolerance Stance: Cox’s Bazar Superintendent of Police A.N.M. Sajedur Rahman announced that law enforcement will adopt a strict zero tolerance policy against child marriage and illegal labour, emphasizing that community-wide cooperation remains essential alongside police action.
-
Collective Responsibility: Project Manager Sagar D Costa noted that child exploitation strips youth of education and future prospects, requiring early identification of at-risk families to implement preventive measures.
-
Proactive Strategies: Senior Manager Ronald Prabir Chisick stressed that interventions must occur before risks materialize, tackling root causes such as poverty, social prejudice, and family pressure.
Comprehensive Enforcement and Community Action
During the event, Mohammad Jamal Uddin delivered a detailed presentation outlining child protection laws, offence classifications, and the practical challenges of grassroots enforcement. Around 40 senior police officers from various upazilas shared field insights and recommendations during the interactive session.
Participants agreed on the necessity of regular local monitoring, swift legal responses, and expanded social protection programs. Officials concluded the roundtable with a renewed commitment to foster a safe environment, ensuring that rescued children gain full access to education and healthy development opportunities.
