Third and Fourth Periodic Report on CRC - Unicef
Third and Fourth Periodic Report on CRC - Unicef
Third and Fourth Periodic Report on CRC - Unicef
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
THIRD AND FOURTH<br />
PERIODIC REPORT<br />
OF THE GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH<br />
UNDER THE<br />
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the<br />
Rights of the Child<br />
Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh<br />
Ministry of Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children Affairs<br />
AUGUST 2007<br />
1
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Table of C<strong>on</strong>tents<br />
FOREWORD 6<br />
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 8<br />
INTRODUCTION AND SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND 10<br />
I. GENERAL MEASURES OF IMPLEMENTATION 14<br />
1.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s 15<br />
1.2 Political <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> legislative measures 16<br />
1.3 Administrative <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other measures, budgetary analysis 18<br />
1.4 M<strong>on</strong>itoring, data collecti<strong>on</strong>, implementati<strong>on</strong>, reporting <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> internati<strong>on</strong>al cooperati<strong>on</strong> 20<br />
1.5 Coordinati<strong>on</strong> of implementati<strong>on</strong> activities 21<br />
1.6 Disseminati<strong>on</strong> of the <strong>CRC</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong> 22<br />
II. DEFINITION OF THE CHILD 26<br />
2.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s 27<br />
2.2 Legal review <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> strengthening of policies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> legal measures 28<br />
III. GENERAL PRINCIPLES 30<br />
3.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s 31<br />
3.2 N<strong>on</strong>-discriminati<strong>on</strong> 32<br />
3.3 The best interests of the child 33<br />
3.4 The right to life, survival <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> development 34<br />
3.5 The respect for the views of the child 35<br />
2
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
IV. CIVIL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS 36<br />
4.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s 37<br />
4.2 Name <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nati<strong>on</strong>ality 37<br />
4.3 Preservati<strong>on</strong> of identity 38<br />
4.4 Freedom of expressi<strong>on</strong> 38<br />
4.5 Freedom of thought, c<strong>on</strong>science <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> religi<strong>on</strong> 39<br />
4.6 Freedom of associati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> peaceful assembly 39<br />
4.7 Protecti<strong>on</strong> of privacy 41<br />
4.8 Access to appropriate informati<strong>on</strong> 41<br />
4.9 The right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel,<br />
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including corporal punishment 43<br />
V. FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND ALTERNATIVE CARE 44<br />
5.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s 45<br />
5.2 Parental guidance 46<br />
5.3 Parental resp<strong>on</strong>sibilities 46<br />
5.4 Separati<strong>on</strong> from parents 47<br />
5.5 Family reunificati<strong>on</strong> 47<br />
5.6 Recovery of maintenance for the child 47<br />
5.7 Children deprived of a family envir<strong>on</strong>ment 47<br />
5.8 Adopti<strong>on</strong> 49<br />
5.9 Illicit transfer <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> n<strong>on</strong>-return 50<br />
5.10 Abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> neglect including physical <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> psychological recovery <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> social reintegrati<strong>on</strong> 50<br />
5.11 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> review of placement 50<br />
VI. BASIC HEALTH AND WELFARE 52<br />
6.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s 53<br />
6.2 Survival <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> development 54<br />
6.3 Children with disabilities 54<br />
6.4 Health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> health services 55<br />
6.5 Social securities, child care services <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> facilities 61<br />
6.6 St<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard of living 61<br />
6.7 Nutriti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> breastfeeding 62<br />
6.8 Envir<strong>on</strong>mental c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s including water <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sanitati<strong>on</strong> facilities 65<br />
6.9 School Health 66<br />
6.10 HIV <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> AIDS 67<br />
VII. EDUCATION, LEISURE, RECREATION AND CULTURE 68<br />
7.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s 69<br />
7.2 Educati<strong>on</strong> including vocati<strong>on</strong>al training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> guidance 70<br />
7.3 Aims of educati<strong>on</strong> with reference also to quality of educati<strong>on</strong> 77<br />
7.3 Rest, leisure, recreati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> cultural <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> artistic activities 78<br />
VIII. SPECIAL PROTECTION MEASURES 80<br />
8.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s 81<br />
8.2 Children in situati<strong>on</strong> of emergency 82<br />
8.3 Children in c<strong>on</strong>flict with law 83<br />
8.4 Children in situati<strong>on</strong>s of exploitati<strong>on</strong>, including physical <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
psychological recovery <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> social reintegrati<strong>on</strong> 87<br />
8.5 Children bel<strong>on</strong>ging to a minority or an indigenous groups 91<br />
8-6 Children living or working <strong>on</strong> the street 92<br />
IX. OPTIONAL PROTOCOLS TO THE <strong>CRC</strong> 94<br />
9.1 Introducti<strong>on</strong> 95<br />
9.2 Involvement of children in armed c<strong>on</strong>flict 96<br />
9.3 Sale of children, child prostituti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child pornography 97<br />
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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
List of Tables<br />
Table 1.1 Distributi<strong>on</strong> of Populati<strong>on</strong> by Age Group 12<br />
Table 1.2 Distributi<strong>on</strong> of Male Populati<strong>on</strong> in Bangladesh by Marital Status 12<br />
Table 1.3 Distributi<strong>on</strong> of Female Populati<strong>on</strong> in Bangladesh by Marital Status 13<br />
Table 1.4 Budget Allocati<strong>on</strong>s under Annual Development Programme, ADP 19<br />
Table 1.5 Allocati<strong>on</strong> in Social Sectors under Annual Development Programme 20<br />
Table 4.1 Important Children Associati<strong>on</strong>s 40<br />
Table 5.1 Comparis<strong>on</strong> of flood damage 48<br />
Table 6.1 Availability of Medical Facilities 57<br />
Table 6.2 Trend in early childhood mortality in Bangladesh, 1993-2004 59<br />
Table 6.3 Vaccinati<strong>on</strong>s by Background Characteristics in Bangladesh, 2004 60<br />
Table 6.4 Nutriti<strong>on</strong>al Statuses of Children in Bangladesh, 1989-2004 63<br />
Table 6.5 Sanitati<strong>on</strong> Coverage 66<br />
Table 7.1 Growth of Primary Schools, Students <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Teachers 71<br />
Table 7.2 Gross Enrolment Status by Poverty <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Locati<strong>on</strong>, 2000 72<br />
Table 7.3 Sec<strong>on</strong>dary Instituti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Enrolment: 2001 73<br />
Table 7.4 Budget Allocati<strong>on</strong> under Annual Development Programme (ADP) 76<br />
Table 7.5 Distributi<strong>on</strong> of Government Revenue Budget 76<br />
Table 8.1 Repatriati<strong>on</strong> Statistics of Rohingya Refugee 82<br />
Table 8.2 Key Statistics <strong>on</strong> Juvenile Justice, Bangladesh 84<br />
Table-8.3 Children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Ec<strong>on</strong>omically Active Children in the age range of 5-17 years 87<br />
Table 8.4 Nati<strong>on</strong>al vis-à-vis Tribal Situati<strong>on</strong>s, MICS 2006 91<br />
Table 8.5 Estimates of Street Children by Gender <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Age 93<br />
4
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annexures<br />
Annex 1: Mobile Library Programme: Progress from 1999 to June 2007 99<br />
Annex 2: Ongoing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> new WATSAN Projects 100<br />
Annex 3: Age of Recruitment in Bangladesh Armed forces <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other Security Agencies 101<br />
Annex 4: Key findings of Integrated Baseline survey <strong>on</strong> Hazardous Child labour 102<br />
Annex 5: Highlights of Time Bound Programme (TBP) 105<br />
Annex 6: Facilities Developed by MoSW during 2000-2006 106<br />
Annex 7: Initial breastfeeding, MICS 2006 107<br />
Annex 8: Breastfeeding, MICS 2006 108<br />
Annex 9: Iodized salt c<strong>on</strong>sumpti<strong>on</strong>, MICS 2006 109<br />
Annex-10: Children's vitamin A supplementati<strong>on</strong>, MICS 2006 110<br />
Annex 11: Low birth weight infants, MICS 2006 111<br />
Annex 12: Vaccinati<strong>on</strong>s by background characteristics, MICS 2006 112<br />
Annex 13: Oral rehydrati<strong>on</strong> treatment, MICS 2006 113<br />
Annex 14: Use of improved water sources, MICS 2006 114<br />
Annex 15: Household water treatment 115<br />
Annex 16: Time to source of water, MICS 2006 116<br />
Annex 17: Pers<strong>on</strong> collecting water 117<br />
Annex 18: Disposal of child's faeces, MICS 2006 118<br />
Annex 19: Antenatal care provider, MICS 2006 119<br />
Annex 20: Assistance during delivery, MICS 2006 120<br />
Annex 21: Early childhood educati<strong>on</strong>, MICS 2006 121<br />
Annex 22: Primary school net attendance ratio, MICS 2006 122<br />
Annex 23: Sec<strong>on</strong>dary school net attendance ratio, MICS 2006 123<br />
Annex 24: Educati<strong>on</strong> gender parity. MICS 2006 124<br />
Annex 25: Adult literacy, MICS 2006 125<br />
Annex 26: Students Enrolled in Primary School by Boys <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Girls since 1991 126<br />
Annex 27: Different types of primary level instituti<strong>on</strong>s 127<br />
Annex 28: Primary Sec<strong>on</strong>dary Educati<strong>on</strong> Statistics 2005 (In Number) 128<br />
Annex 29: Birth registrati<strong>on</strong>, MICS 2006 129<br />
Annex 30: Child Labour, MICS 2006 130<br />
Annex 31: Labourers students <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> student laborers 131<br />
Annex 32: Early marriage, MICS 2006 132<br />
Annex 33: Child disability, MICS 2006 133<br />
Annex 34: Percentage of children by type of Injury 134<br />
Annex 35: Knowledge of preventing HIV transmissi<strong>on</strong> 135<br />
Annex 36: Children's living arrangements <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> orphan hood, MICS 2006 136<br />
Annex 37: School attendance of orphaned children 137<br />
Annex 38: Anti-Trafficking Measures Specially Trafficking in Women & Children 138<br />
Annex 39: State versus Muhammad Row Shan Ali Case (Copy of judgement) 139<br />
REFERENCES 162<br />
5
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Foreword<br />
Since Bangladesh’s ratificati<strong>on</strong> of the <strong>CRC</strong> in August 1990, the country has been fulfilling its commitment to establish rights of<br />
the child in different fr<strong>on</strong>ts. The country participated in the World Summit for Children in 1990 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> committed itself to all-round<br />
development of children of the country. Bangladesh also participated actively in the UN General Assembly Special Sessi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong><br />
Children, held in May 2002, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> has submitted the five-year progress report <strong>on</strong> "A World Fit For Children" in December 2006.<br />
It has been recognized that children are vulnerable <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> do not have their own political voice <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> hence they need c<strong>on</strong>stant state<br />
interventi<strong>on</strong>. Bangladesh C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> lays down the general principles regarding the protecti<strong>on</strong> of children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> elders from all<br />
forms of discriminati<strong>on</strong>. According to article 28(4) of the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>, "Nothing shall prevent the State from making special<br />
provisi<strong>on</strong> in favour of women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children or for the advancement of any backward secti<strong>on</strong> of citizens". Positive development<br />
has taken place in the area of law <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> human rights. Several laws have been enacted to combat violati<strong>on</strong>s of human rights in<br />
specific c<strong>on</strong>texts. These include The Suppressi<strong>on</strong> of Violence against Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children 2000 (amended in 2003), The Acid<br />
C<strong>on</strong>trol Act 2002, The Acid Crimes Preventi<strong>on</strong> Act, 2002, Law <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Order Disrupti<strong>on</strong> Crimes (Speedy Trial) Act, 2002 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> The<br />
Disability Welfare Act 2001.<br />
Bangladesh prepared three Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plans of Acti<strong>on</strong> (NPA) in 1990, 1999 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 2005 to fulfil its commitment to children. The<br />
Government, UNICEF, other development partners, NGOs, private sector <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> civil society in general c<strong>on</strong>tinue to support<br />
children’s causes in different ways. The country, as a result, has made significant improvements in a number of social indicators,<br />
including reducti<strong>on</strong> of under-five mortality rates, infant mortality rates, improvement in school enrolment, iodizati<strong>on</strong> of salt,<br />
immunizati<strong>on</strong> coverage, vitamin A supplementati<strong>on</strong> coverage <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> safe drinking water supply. Disparity between boys <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> girls<br />
in most indicators has been eliminated.<br />
Bangladesh’s third NPA for Children, 2005-2010, is not <strong>on</strong>ly the outcome of a commitment to the <strong>CRC</strong>, but it also embodies the<br />
accountability as per various internati<strong>on</strong>al c<strong>on</strong>ferences held during the 1990s. These include the World C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
for All, United Nati<strong>on</strong>s C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> Envir<strong>on</strong>ment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Development, World C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> Human Rights, Internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> Populati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Development, C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> the Eliminati<strong>on</strong> of All Forms of Discriminati<strong>on</strong> against Women<br />
(CEDAW), <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> World C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> Women (Beijing Declarati<strong>on</strong>), World Summit for Social Development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the United<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>s C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> Human Settlements. These c<strong>on</strong>ferences were the inspirati<strong>on</strong> for the Millennium Declarati<strong>on</strong> in 2000 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the adopti<strong>on</strong> of the MDG. Many goals are specific to the state of children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> women, providing a direct link between the<br />
development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> welfare of children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> women.<br />
Bangladesh is fully committed to achieve the MDGs. In this respect the Government has initiated activities to set the foundati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
for such a process. The preparati<strong>on</strong> of the Unlocking the Potential: Nati<strong>on</strong>al Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reducti<strong>on</strong><br />
(NSAPR), comm<strong>on</strong>ly known as Poverty Reducti<strong>on</strong> Strategic Paper (PRSP), in 2004 is an expressi<strong>on</strong> of Government’s efforts to<br />
address poverty <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> co-ordinate different sectors to efficiently resp<strong>on</strong>d to the needs of the most disadvantaged. In the NSAPR,<br />
there is explicit reference to the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>al obligati<strong>on</strong> of the State for developing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sustaining a society in which the basic<br />
needs of people are met. The visi<strong>on</strong> proposed in the NSAPR adopts a comprehensive approach premised <strong>on</strong> a right-based<br />
framework, which highlight the needs of progressive realisati<strong>on</strong> of people’s rights. In this document the Government set the<br />
following strategic agenda for the achievement of MDG.<br />
> Employment<br />
> Nutriti<strong>on</strong><br />
6
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
> Quality Educati<strong>on</strong> (particularly in primary, sec<strong>on</strong>dary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vocati<strong>on</strong>al levels with str<strong>on</strong>g emphasis <strong>on</strong> girls' educati<strong>on</strong>)<br />
> Local governance<br />
> Maternal Health<br />
> Sanitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Safe Water<br />
> Criminal Justice<br />
> M<strong>on</strong>itoring<br />
Bangladesh has dem<strong>on</strong>strated its commitment to protecting <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> upholding the rights of the child by signature, accessi<strong>on</strong> or<br />
ratificati<strong>on</strong> of the following internati<strong>on</strong>al human rights instruments since 2000, namely:<br />
> In 2000, Bangladesh has ratified the ILO C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> 182 c<strong>on</strong>cerning the Prohibiti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Immediate Acti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Eliminati<strong>on</strong><br />
of Worst Forms of Child Labour (ratified in 2001).<br />
> Internati<strong>on</strong>al Covenant <strong>on</strong> Civil <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Political Rights (Accessi<strong>on</strong> 2000),<br />
> C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Eliminati<strong>on</strong> of Discriminati<strong>on</strong> against Women 2000<br />
At a regi<strong>on</strong>al level Bangladesh has endorsed the SAARC C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Preventi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Combating Trafficking in Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Children for Prostituti<strong>on</strong> in 2002 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the SAARC C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Regi<strong>on</strong>al Arrangements for the Promoti<strong>on</strong> of Child welfare in<br />
South Asia. Bangladesh is also committed to the Rawalpindi Declarati<strong>on</strong> of SAARC calling for the eradicati<strong>on</strong> of child labour by<br />
2010. Bangladesh is also a signatory to the Asian <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Pacific Decade of Disabled Pers<strong>on</strong>s (1993-2002). The<br />
ratificati<strong>on</strong>/accessi<strong>on</strong>/signature of all these internati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> regi<strong>on</strong>al C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>s, Covenants <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Declarati<strong>on</strong> dem<strong>on</strong>strates the<br />
Government’s commitment in prompting <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> protecting the rights of the child in all spheres of life. Internally, the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> of<br />
Bangladesh, the Children Act, 1974, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Nati<strong>on</strong>al Children’s Policy, 1994 are serving children’s interests.<br />
In spite of successes, many children still remain outside the primary schooling system. Malnutriti<strong>on</strong> is a comm<strong>on</strong> problem <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
access to safe water <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sanitati<strong>on</strong> facilities are not adequate. Children still face violence, sexual exploitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> abuse.<br />
Polluti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> envir<strong>on</strong>mental damage take a toll <strong>on</strong> children’s health.<br />
In resp<strong>on</strong>se to the C<strong>on</strong>cluding Observati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> Bangladesh’s Sec<strong>on</strong>d <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> submitted in 2000, the Government, with<br />
the assistance of various development partners, has been implementing new interventi<strong>on</strong>s in the fields of birth registrati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
juvenile justice, injury <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> accidents, early learning, adolescent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child rights awareness building.<br />
Bangladesh submitted it’s Initial <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> implementati<strong>on</strong> of the C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child in November 1995 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
a Supplementary <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> in December 1996. The Sec<strong>on</strong>d <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> was submitted in December 2000. This combined<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> is being submitted as per <strong>CRC</strong>/C/15/Add 03Oct 2003. The report has been prepared in<br />
accordance with the General Guidelines adopted by the Committee <strong>on</strong> 11 October 1996. All effort has been made to provide the<br />
informati<strong>on</strong> as per this latest Guideline. The C<strong>on</strong>cluding Observati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Recommendati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> the Initial <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> of Bangladesh<br />
<strong>on</strong> both the Opti<strong>on</strong>al Protocols to the <strong>CRC</strong> have also been taken into c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> in this <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
As lead agency, the Ministry of Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children Affairs (MOWCA) in associati<strong>on</strong> with the line ministries, UNICEF <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs<br />
has prepared this <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> during January-August 2007. The line ministries are: Health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Family Welfare; Social<br />
Welfare; Educati<strong>on</strong>; Local Government, Rural Development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Cooperatives; Home Affairs; Law, Justice <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Parliamentary<br />
Affairs; Finance; Planning; Informati<strong>on</strong>; Youth <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Sports; Labour <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Employment; Defence; Cultural Affairs; Chittag<strong>on</strong>g Hill<br />
Tracts Affairs; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Mass Educati<strong>on</strong>. The report preparati<strong>on</strong> process was documented initially in a c<strong>on</strong>cept paper<br />
agreed between all partners. The report was drafted by a core committee <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> discussed in MOWCA <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> UNICEF before wider<br />
circulati<strong>on</strong> for review <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> feedback.<br />
One Nati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Five Divisi<strong>on</strong>al C<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s were organized with the c<strong>on</strong>cerned actors/stakeholders mainly to verify <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
share the informati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>tents of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> incorporating the ground level realties. Two Children’s C<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s, <strong>on</strong>e<br />
at Divisi<strong>on</strong>al Level (Rajshahi) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> another at Nati<strong>on</strong>al level were also organized for the purpose.<br />
The Ministry of Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children Affairs would like to thank all the line ministries, UNICEF, c<strong>on</strong>cerned UN agencies,<br />
internati<strong>on</strong>al organizati<strong>on</strong>s, NGOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> their coaliti<strong>on</strong>s for their valuable c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong>s towards preparing this State Party <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
ROKEYA SULTANA<br />
Secretary, NOWCA<br />
7
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Abbreviati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Acr<strong>on</strong>yms<br />
ABCN<br />
ADB<br />
ADP<br />
AIDS<br />
ANC<br />
ARH<br />
ARI<br />
ARISE<br />
BAMWSP<br />
BANBEIS<br />
BBF<br />
BBS<br />
BCC<br />
BCG<br />
BDHS<br />
BEOC<br />
BEHTRUC<br />
BEUWC<br />
BHIS<br />
BIDS<br />
BLAST<br />
BMI<br />
BNFE<br />
BNWLA<br />
BSA<br />
BSAF<br />
Area Based Community Nutriti<strong>on</strong><br />
Asian Development Bank<br />
Annual Development Programme<br />
Acquired immune Deficiency Syndrome<br />
Antenatal Care<br />
Adolescent Reproductive Health<br />
Acute Respiratory Infecti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Appropriate Resources for Improving<br />
Street Children’s Envir<strong>on</strong>ment Project<br />
Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigati<strong>on</strong> Water<br />
Supply Project<br />
Bangladesh Bureau of Educati<strong>on</strong>al,<br />
Informati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Statistics<br />
Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundati<strong>on</strong><br />
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics<br />
Behaviour Change Communicati<strong>on</strong><br />
Bacillus of Calmette Guerm<br />
Bangladesh Demographic <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Health<br />
Survey<br />
Basic Emergency Obstetrics Care<br />
Basic Educati<strong>on</strong> for Hard to Reach<br />
Urban Children<br />
Basic Educati<strong>on</strong> for Urban Working<br />
Children<br />
Bangladesh Health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Injury Survey<br />
Bangladesh Institute of Development<br />
Studies<br />
Bangladesh Legal Aid <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Services Trust<br />
(BLAST)<br />
Body Mass Index<br />
Bureau of N<strong>on</strong>-formal Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
Bangladesh Nati<strong>on</strong>al Women Lawyers’<br />
Associati<strong>on</strong><br />
Bangladesh Shishu (Children) Academy<br />
Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar (Child Right)<br />
Forum<br />
BTV<br />
CBO<br />
CBR<br />
CC<br />
CCA<br />
CDD<br />
CDF<br />
CDMP<br />
CEDAW<br />
CHT<br />
CIDA<br />
CPR<br />
<strong>CRC</strong><br />
DFP<br />
DG<br />
DFID<br />
DMC<br />
DPE<br />
DPHE<br />
DPT<br />
DPT3<br />
DSS<br />
DWA<br />
ECD<br />
EFA<br />
EmOC/EOC<br />
EPI<br />
ERD<br />
ESP<br />
FP<br />
Bangladesh Televisi<strong>on</strong><br />
Community Based Organizati<strong>on</strong><br />
Crude Birth Rate<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong><br />
Comm<strong>on</strong> Country Assessment<br />
C<strong>on</strong>trol of Diarrhoeal Diseases<br />
Child Development Forum<br />
Comprehensive Disaster Management<br />
Project<br />
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Eliminati<strong>on</strong> of All<br />
Forms of Discriminati<strong>on</strong> against Women<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g Hill Tracts<br />
Canadian Internati<strong>on</strong>al Development<br />
Agency<br />
C<strong>on</strong>traceptive Prevalence Rate<br />
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Department of Films <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Publicati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Director General<br />
Department for Internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Development<br />
Department of Mass Communicati<strong>on</strong><br />
Directorate of Primary Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
Department of Public Health Engineering<br />
Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus<br />
Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, three<br />
shots<br />
Department of Social Services<br />
Department of Women Affairs<br />
Early Childhood Development<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> for All<br />
Emergency Obstetrics Care<br />
Exp<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed Programme <strong>on</strong> Immunisati<strong>on</strong><br />
Ec<strong>on</strong>omic Relati<strong>on</strong>s Divisi<strong>on</strong><br />
Essential Services Package<br />
Family Planning<br />
8
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
GDP Gross Domestic Product<br />
GER Gross Enrolment Rate<br />
GMC Global Movement for Children<br />
GNP Gross Nati<strong>on</strong>al Product<br />
GTZ German Technical Assistance<br />
HAPP HIV/AIDS Preventi<strong>on</strong> Project<br />
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus<br />
HKI Helen Keller Internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
HPSP Health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Populati<strong>on</strong> Sector<br />
Programme<br />
HNPSP Health, Nutriti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Populati<strong>on</strong> Sector<br />
Programme<br />
ICDDR,B Internati<strong>on</strong>al Centre for Diarrhoeal<br />
Disease Research, Bangladesh<br />
ICDP Programme of Acti<strong>on</strong> of the Internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> Populati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Development<br />
ICMH Institute of Child <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Mothers Health<br />
IDEAL Intensive District Approach to Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
for All<br />
IEC Informati<strong>on</strong>, Educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Communicati<strong>on</strong><br />
ILO Internati<strong>on</strong>al Labour Organisati<strong>on</strong><br />
IMCI Integrated Management of Childhood<br />
Illness<br />
IMED Implementati<strong>on</strong> M<strong>on</strong>itoring <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Evaluati<strong>on</strong> Divisi<strong>on</strong><br />
IMR Infant Mortality Rate<br />
INGO Internati<strong>on</strong>al NGO<br />
IPEC Internati<strong>on</strong>al Programme for Eradicati<strong>on</strong><br />
of Child Labour<br />
IPHN Institute of Public Health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Nutriti<strong>on</strong><br />
JICA Japanese Internati<strong>on</strong>al Cooperati<strong>on</strong><br />
Agency<br />
JJR Juvenile Justice Round Table<br />
KUK Kishore/Kishori Unnayan Kendra<br />
(Adolescent Development Centre)<br />
LBW Low Birth Weight<br />
LSBE Life Skills Based Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
MDG Millennium Development Goals<br />
MDMR Ministry of Disaster Management <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Relief<br />
MICS Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey<br />
MMR Maternal Mortality Rate<br />
MoHA Ministry of Home Affairs<br />
MoE Ministry of Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
MoHFW Ministry of Health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Family Welfare<br />
MoLJPA Ministry of Law, Justice <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Parliamentary Affairs<br />
MoPME Ministry of Primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Mass Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
MoRA Ministry of Religious Affairs<br />
MoWCA Ministry of Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children Affairs<br />
MoLE Ministry of Labour <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Employment<br />
MoLGRD&C Ministry of Local Government, Rural<br />
Development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Cooperatives<br />
MoSW Ministry of Social Welfare<br />
MOU Memor<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>um of Underst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing<br />
NAC<br />
NASP<br />
NER<br />
NFE<br />
NGO<br />
NID<br />
NIMCo<br />
NIPORT<br />
NLAO<br />
NORAD<br />
NPA<br />
NSAPR<br />
PCAR<br />
ORT<br />
PEDP<br />
PIB<br />
PID<br />
PMED<br />
PRSP<br />
PWD<br />
SAARC<br />
SACOSAN<br />
SBA<br />
SDC<br />
SEACT<br />
Sida<br />
SNP<br />
SVRS<br />
TBP<br />
TFR<br />
TLM<br />
U5MR<br />
UDC<br />
UN<br />
UNDAF<br />
UNDP<br />
UNFPA<br />
UNICEF<br />
UPHCP<br />
USAID<br />
USI<br />
WATSAN<br />
WFCL<br />
WFFC<br />
WHO<br />
WSC<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al AIDS Committee<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al AIDS/STD Programme<br />
Net Enrolment Rate<br />
N<strong>on</strong> Formal Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
N<strong>on</strong> Government Organisati<strong>on</strong><br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Immunisati<strong>on</strong> Day<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Institute of Mass<br />
Communicati<strong>on</strong><br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Institute of Populati<strong>on</strong> Research<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Training<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Legal Aid Organizati<strong>on</strong><br />
Norwegian Agency for Development<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong><br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Strategy for Accelerated Poverty<br />
Reducti<strong>on</strong> (or PRSP)<br />
Protecti<strong>on</strong> of Children at Risk<br />
Oral Rehydrati<strong>on</strong> Therapy<br />
Primary Educati<strong>on</strong> Development<br />
Programme<br />
Press Institute of Bangladesh<br />
Press <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Informati<strong>on</strong> Department<br />
Primary & Mass Educati<strong>on</strong> Divisi<strong>on</strong><br />
Poverty Reducti<strong>on</strong> Strategy Paper<br />
Pars<strong>on</strong>s with Disability<br />
South Asian Associati<strong>on</strong> for Regi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Cooperati<strong>on</strong><br />
South Asian C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> Sanitati<strong>on</strong><br />
Skilled Birth Attendant<br />
Swiss Development Cooperati<strong>on</strong><br />
Sexual Exploitati<strong>on</strong> Against Children<br />
including Trafficking<br />
Swedish Internati<strong>on</strong>al Development<br />
Cooperati<strong>on</strong> Agency<br />
Safety Net Programme<br />
Sample Vital Registrati<strong>on</strong> Survey<br />
Time Bound Programme<br />
Total Fertility Rate<br />
Total Literacy Movement<br />
Under-5 Mortality Rate<br />
Urban Development Centres<br />
United Nati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
United Nati<strong>on</strong>s Development Assistance<br />
Framework<br />
United Nati<strong>on</strong>s Development Programme<br />
United Nati<strong>on</strong>s Fund for Populati<strong>on</strong><br />
Activities<br />
United Nati<strong>on</strong>s Children’s Fund<br />
Urban Primary Health Care Project<br />
United States Agency for Internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Development<br />
Universal Salt Iodizati<strong>on</strong><br />
Water <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Sanitati<strong>on</strong><br />
Worst Form of Child Labour<br />
World Fit for Children<br />
World Health Organizati<strong>on</strong><br />
World Summit for Children<br />
9
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Introducti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Socioec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
Background<br />
10
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Country Overview<br />
Bangladesh, with an estimated populati<strong>on</strong> of about 140 milli<strong>on</strong> in an area of 145,570 square kilometres, is<br />
am<strong>on</strong>g the world’s most densely populated countries. Seventy five percent of the populati<strong>on</strong> lives in the rural<br />
area <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the majority of the labour force (87%) is employed in the informal ec<strong>on</strong>omy. Over the last 10 years<br />
Bangladesh has made tremendous progress <strong>on</strong> many counts especially in key human development indicators.<br />
In 2006 UNDP Human Development <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> (HDR) ranked Bangladesh 137th am<strong>on</strong>g 177 countries with an HDI<br />
score of 0.530 which places it am<strong>on</strong>g countries c<strong>on</strong>sidered to have medium human development, suggesting<br />
that Bangladesh could be a role model by showing that sustained improvement in human development is<br />
possible even in poor countries with relatively modest level of income growth. This is the result of macro<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omic stability, low populati<strong>on</strong> growth, reducti<strong>on</strong> in aid dependence, food self-sufficiency (with declining<br />
cultivable area). Reducti<strong>on</strong> of mortality rate <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> malnutriti<strong>on</strong> of children, close to 100 percent enrolment rate in<br />
primary schools also played an important role, while other factors are: effective disaster management capacity,<br />
promoting NGOs (n<strong>on</strong>-government organizati<strong>on</strong>) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> revoluti<strong>on</strong>izing microcredit, active <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> free press, a vibrant<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> pluralist democratic civil society marked by cultural activism <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> developmental debates, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> most<br />
importantly, increase in women’s empowerment (through mainstreaming women into the development process).<br />
Despite significant achievements made in the recent years, Bangladesh is yet to overcome many challenges.<br />
The country is still <strong>on</strong>e of the poorest in the world with some 40% of the populati<strong>on</strong> living below the poverty line,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 33% in absolute poverty. GDP per capita is still very low. Unemployment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> underemployment remain<br />
pervasive. Only 40 percent of the total populati<strong>on</strong> has access to health services, 67 percent to improved<br />
sanitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 75 percent to safe drinking water. The level of child malnutriti<strong>on</strong> is still critical <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> so the maternal<br />
mortality rate. There still remains uneven spread of ec<strong>on</strong>omic <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> social opportunities, unequal distributi<strong>on</strong> of<br />
assets, growing disparity between developed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> underdeveloped areas as well as rural <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> urban areas.<br />
Reaching the poorer areas such as coastal areas, charl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s (isolated isl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s in the river), haor/baor/beel (big<br />
water bodies) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> hills has often been difficult, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> there are persistent pockets of seas<strong>on</strong>al distress (M<strong>on</strong>ga,<br />
for example) whose development c<strong>on</strong>cerns remained unaddressed, with few excepti<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
The poverty affects children in terms of their access to adequate food, financial <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> physical resources, health<br />
services, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> informati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> community affairs. However, children’s issues are articulated in all the<br />
documents/instruments, most importantly the NSAPR/PRSP <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NPA for Children, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> many positive measures<br />
are taken with regard to achieve <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> establish the rights of the child.<br />
Populati<strong>on</strong><br />
The total populati<strong>on</strong> of Bangladesh stood at 130 milli<strong>on</strong> at the time of last populati<strong>on</strong> census in 2001. The total<br />
current populati<strong>on</strong> of the country is estimated to be over 140 milli<strong>on</strong>, giving a populati<strong>on</strong> density of 948 pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
per sq. km. There are approximately 25.5 milli<strong>on</strong> households in the country with an average household size of<br />
4.9 (dwelling).Of the 2001 populati<strong>on</strong>, 67.7 milli<strong>on</strong> were males <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 62.8 milli<strong>on</strong> were females, showing a sex<br />
ratio of 106 males to every 100 females. The natural growth rate of the populati<strong>on</strong> is 1.54 per cent. The<br />
populati<strong>on</strong> is young, with about 13 percent under 5 years of age, 38 percent under 15 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 47 percent under 18<br />
years (Table 1.1). The rural populati<strong>on</strong> comprises 74 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the urban populati<strong>on</strong> 26 percent. The children<br />
below 18 years total about 67 milli<strong>on</strong>. Life expectancy at birth is 64 years for males against 64.5 years for<br />
females.<br />
11
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Table 1.1: Distributi<strong>on</strong> of Populati<strong>on</strong> by Age Group<br />
Age Group 2001 1991<br />
(years) Male Female Total Sex Ratio Male Female Total Sex Ratio<br />
(Both Sex)<br />
(Both Sex)<br />
Total 63894740 59956380 123346120 106.5 54728350 51586642 106314992 106.00<br />
Populati<strong>on</strong> (#) (51.59%) (48.41%) (100%) (51.48%) (48.52%) (100%)<br />
Age Group (%)<br />
00-04 6.75 6.24 12.99 108.20 8.31 8.14 16.45 102.10<br />
05-09 7.12 6.42 13.53 110.80 8.53 8.02 16.55 106.30<br />
10-14 6.80 6.00 12.80 113.20 6.49 5.66 12.15 114.80<br />
15-19 5.08 4.58 9.66 110.90 4.28 4.13 8.41 103.60<br />
20-24 3.92 4.89 8.81 80.20 3.85 4.44 8.29 86.60<br />
25-29 3.95 4.74 8.69 83.40 4.07 4.45 8.52 91.40<br />
30-34 3.48 3.58 7.06 97.20 3.17 3.03 6.20 104.40<br />
35-39 3.39 3.06 6.46 110.70 3.07 2.56 5.63 120.30<br />
40-44 2.77 2.24 5.01 123.40 2.31 2.03 4.33 113.70<br />
45-49 2.11 1.61 3.72 131.10 1.82 1.53 3.35 119.30<br />
50-54 1.76 1.47 3.23 119.10 1.54 1.38 2.92 111.30<br />
55-59 1.06 0.85 1.90 125.00 1.02 0.81 1.83 126.50<br />
60-64 1.23 1.05 2.28 117.60 1.15 0.98 2.13 117.50<br />
65-69 0.66 0.51 1.17 129.40 0.59 0.43 1.02 137.00<br />
70+ 1.51 1.17 2.68 128.30 1.27 0.93 2.20 136.30<br />
Source: BBS Census 1991 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 2001<br />
Note: Figures of total populati<strong>on</strong> are in Number <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> distributi<strong>on</strong> by age group in Percentage<br />
Table 1.2: Distributi<strong>on</strong> of Male Populati<strong>on</strong> (aged 10 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> above) in Bangladesh<br />
by Marital Status (in percent)<br />
Marital Status Age Group Total<br />
Year 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60+<br />
Never Married 1991 99.5 95.0 68.4 26.4 7.2 2.1 1.1 0.6 0.7 0.4 0.6 42.8<br />
2001 98.8 96.0 69.3 31.7 11.6 4.4 2.9 2.1 2.7 2.4 4.0 43.6<br />
Currently Married 1991 0.5 4.9 31.4 73.3 92.5 97.6 98.4 98.7 98.1 98.0 95.1 57.2<br />
2001 1.2 3.9 30.5 68.0 88.1 95.3 96.6 97.4 96.3 96.3 92.1 55.8<br />
Widowed/Divorced 1991 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.7 1.2 1.6 4.3 0.7<br />
/Separated 2001 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 1.0 1.3 3.9 0.6<br />
Source: BBS<br />
The table 1.2 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 1.3 show changes in marital status during two points of time, 2001 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 1991, the former<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cerning males <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> latter females. The percentage of never married males has slightly decreased (about 1%)<br />
at age group 10-14, while increased marginally (1%) at age 15-19. However, in all other age groups, the<br />
percentage of never married males has increased, ranging from 1% to 5%. Currently married males up to 14<br />
years have increased, but decreased in the age group of 15-19, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> percentage of overall currently married<br />
males has increased. It is also noticeable that total numbers of widowed/separated/divorced males has slightly<br />
dropped down in 2001 compared to 1991 (from 0.7% to 0.6%), remained static in the initial age groups.<br />
12
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Table 1.3: Distributi<strong>on</strong> of Female Populati<strong>on</strong> (aged 10 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> above) in Bangladesh<br />
by Marital Status (in percent)<br />
Marital Status Age Group Total<br />
Year 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60+<br />
Never Married 1991 96.8 48.7 10.7 2.4 1.1 0.6 0.6 04 0.5 0.4 0.8 25.2<br />
2001 96.4 62.5 16.9 6.1 3.4 2.2 2.2 2.0 2.8 2.8 5.6 28.7<br />
Currently Married 1991 3.0 49.6 86.6 94.0 93.8 92.1 86.9 81.7 70.6 64.3 42.9 64.8<br />
2001 3.2 36.4 81.2 91.3 92.5 91.8 87.2 83.9 75.5 72.1 47.9 63.3<br />
Widowed/Divorced 1991 0.2 1.7 2.9 3.6 5.1 7.3 12.5 17.9 28.9 35.2 56.3 10.0<br />
/Separated 2001 0.4 1.1 1.9 2.5 4.1 6.0 10.5 14.1 21.1 25.1 46.5 8.0<br />
Source: BBS<br />
The percentage of never married females at age groups 10-14 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 15-19 were 96.8 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 48.7 percent in 1991,<br />
these changed to 96.4 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 63.0 percent in 2001, showing a sharp increase in the age bracket of 15-19. Table<br />
also indicates decline of currently married girls (below legal age) by around 10% but still close to 40% girls are<br />
married earlier than legal age of marriage.<br />
Females under the categories of ‘currently married’ <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ‘widowed/separated’ are larger than males (Tables 1.2<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 1.3) in both the periods. That is, the number of never married males is higher than females.<br />
Ec<strong>on</strong>omy<br />
Bangladesh has made notable progress in the area of poverty reducti<strong>on</strong> in the 1990s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in the last few years.<br />
The poverty head count ratio shows that the percentage under the poverty line has fallen from 48.9 percent to<br />
40.0 percent between 2000 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 2005. This means that poverty has come down by 1.7 percent annually since<br />
2001. However, inequality has increased in the country as per the latest statistics collected in end-2005.<br />
The current GNP of Bangladesh per capita is US$ 482 up from US$ 279 in 1990. Bangladesh has experienced<br />
higher GDP growth rate of 6.7 percent in fiscal 2005/06, driven by higher agricultural <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> manufacturing<br />
producti<strong>on</strong>. The agriculture sector's share of GDP dropped from 29.5 percent in 1990 to 21.8 per cent in 2006,<br />
while the shares of the manufacturing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> service sectors rose from 70.5 in 1990 to 78.2 percent in 2006.<br />
Balance of payment situati<strong>on</strong> improved in recent years with level of export <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> remittances growing.<br />
Merch<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ise export grew to a total of $10.5 billi<strong>on</strong> in the fiscal 2005-2006 with readymade garment sector<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tributing to about three-quarters of total export earnings. Total remittances reached a record $3,600 milli<strong>on</strong><br />
in 2005-2006 fiscal.<br />
General Legal Framework: Administrative set-up<br />
Bangladesh has a parliamentary system of government. The President appoints as Prime Minister the Member<br />
of Parliament who appears to him/her to comm<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the support of the majority of the members. The Prime<br />
Minister is the chief executive of the country. S/he has a council of ministers to assist her/him in the discharge<br />
of duties. As per the c<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>al provisi<strong>on</strong>s, at the end of the tenure of each government, a n<strong>on</strong> party Caretaker<br />
Government takes over <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>ducts the next parliamentary electi<strong>on</strong>s. The n<strong>on</strong>-party Caretaker<br />
Government has been c<strong>on</strong>stituted Since December 2000. The number of divisi<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> districts remain the<br />
same but number of Upazilas (sub-district) has increased from 460 to 480 during the reporting period.<br />
13
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
I.<br />
GENERAL MEASURES<br />
OF IMPLEMENTATION<br />
14
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
1.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
While <strong>on</strong> the <strong>on</strong>e h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> there were achievements or successes during the period; <strong>on</strong> the other h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, the State<br />
Party could not sufficiently address some of the Recommendati<strong>on</strong>s of the <strong>CRC</strong> Committee. The State Party has<br />
undertaken various programmes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> initiatives in terms of data collecti<strong>on</strong>, birth registrati<strong>on</strong>, eradicating (worst<br />
forms of) child labour, improving juvenile justice system/administrati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> violence against children. Attempts<br />
have been made to review <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> harm<strong>on</strong>ize the legislati<strong>on</strong>s relating to child <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>cerned issues. For example,<br />
the minimum age of criminal resp<strong>on</strong>sibility has been raised to 9 years from 7. Under the Court of Wards<br />
(Amendment) Act, 2006, any orphaned child who reached 18 years has now the right to claim the property or<br />
sell it which s/he is supposed to be legally inheriting. Previously the age limit was 21. This amendment is<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sistent with the <strong>CRC</strong> so far age is c<strong>on</strong>cerned.<br />
The other important achievements accomplished during the period include: enactment of as many as 10 new<br />
laws/amendments of existing laws relevant to <strong>CRC</strong> during the period; coordinati<strong>on</strong> activities, both at central <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
field levels, have strengthened; Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> (NPA) for Children (2005-2010) formulated keeping an<br />
eye <strong>on</strong> World Fit for Children; NSAPR/PRSP <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> most importantly <strong>CRC</strong>; data collecti<strong>on</strong> m<strong>on</strong>itoring mechanisms<br />
further improved <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> efforts towards mainstreaming is underway; measures for disseminati<strong>on</strong> of principles <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
provisi<strong>on</strong>s of <strong>CRC</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> awareness building am<strong>on</strong>g all the stakeholders enhanced significantly; allocati<strong>on</strong> of fund<br />
increased for primary educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> health. The media, social workers, civil societies, lawyers, religious leaders,<br />
children-their associati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> parents, am<strong>on</strong>g others, are more aware, c<strong>on</strong>cerned <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> involved about the<br />
rights <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> welfare of children in the country.<br />
New policies, plans <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> strategies relating directly <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> indirectly to <strong>CRC</strong> have either been improved or drafted,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> most of them are approved, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> some are under process of approval. The establishment of the Directorate<br />
of Children's Affairs is under c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of the State Party. However, the coordinati<strong>on</strong> role of MoWCA has<br />
improved in the recent years, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the State party is planning to further improve the situati<strong>on</strong> through<br />
strengthening Bangladesh Sishu (children) Academy (BSA), improving m<strong>on</strong>itoring <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> coordinati<strong>on</strong> at<br />
district/field level <strong>CRC</strong> Committees with the help of all sectoral ministries <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> others c<strong>on</strong>cerned.<br />
A law <strong>on</strong> Children's Commissi<strong>on</strong>er (Ombudspers<strong>on</strong>) has been drafted <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> awaiting final approval of the Cabinet.<br />
However, no c<strong>on</strong>crete development took place in establishing a Nati<strong>on</strong>al Hunan Rights Commissi<strong>on</strong> except few<br />
sporadic attempts. Though Pers<strong>on</strong>al Law (Religious Law) of majority populati<strong>on</strong> cannot accommodate<br />
withdrawal of reservati<strong>on</strong> (<strong>on</strong> freedom of thought, c<strong>on</strong>science <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> religi<strong>on</strong>; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adopti<strong>on</strong>), still the State Party is<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sidering waiving it using the experience of other countries.<br />
Under the existing law, minimum age of marriage is 18 for females <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 21 for males, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> there are provisi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
for punishment of the pers<strong>on</strong>s involvement in child marriage. Awareness about negative effects <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
c<strong>on</strong>sequences of early marriage has notably increased through interventi<strong>on</strong>s of both government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
NGOs/CBOs.<br />
The State Party has taken steps to modernize the police <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> law enforcement agencies including Bangladesh<br />
Rifles (border security forces), <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> making them fit for being child-friendly. It has started c<strong>on</strong>verting few Thanas<br />
(Police Stati<strong>on</strong>s-PS) into model police stati<strong>on</strong> to enhance the quality of service.<br />
15
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
1.2 Political <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> legislative measures<br />
1.2.1 Reservati<strong>on</strong>s to the C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
There is not yet a final decisi<strong>on</strong> of the government about the withdrawal of reservati<strong>on</strong>s to article 14, paragraph<br />
1 (freedom of thought, c<strong>on</strong>science <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> religi<strong>on</strong>) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> article 21 (adopti<strong>on</strong>). The main c<strong>on</strong>straint behind the delay<br />
in withdrawing the reservati<strong>on</strong>s is that it to some extent c<strong>on</strong>tradicts with Pers<strong>on</strong>al Law (Religious or Shariah<br />
Law) of the majority populati<strong>on</strong>. The c<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> of Bangladesh, of course, duly respects other religi<strong>on</strong>s of the<br />
country. However, the State Party keeps it under c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> through examining experiences of ether<br />
countries.<br />
1.2.2 Legal issues <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> amendment of laws<br />
The law entitled Preventi<strong>on</strong> of Repressi<strong>on</strong> against Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children Act, 2000 (as amended in 2003) is<br />
enacted to combat the crime of violence against women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children. The law provides for stern measures<br />
including death penalty, life impris<strong>on</strong>ment for the crime of rape, abducti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> dowry <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> trafficking related<br />
violence. The age of children has been revised to 16 from 14 years.<br />
The Disability Welfare Act, 2001 came into force from 1 August 2001. It will ensure equality of opportunities,<br />
other benefits <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> privileges to the pers<strong>on</strong>s with disabilities (PWD).<br />
To combat the menace of acid attacks, particularly <strong>on</strong> women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children, the government has enacted Acid<br />
C<strong>on</strong>trol Act, 2002 to c<strong>on</strong>trol producti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sale of corrosive chemicals.<br />
Acid Crimes Preventi<strong>on</strong> Act, 2002 has been enacted to address the acid related crimes more sternly. This law<br />
provides tougher punishment including death sentence for splashing acid <strong>on</strong> people.<br />
To dispose of the women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child related cases, am<strong>on</strong>g others, expeditiously the government enacted a Law<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other Disrupti<strong>on</strong> (Speedy Trial) Act, 2002. Under this Act, a large number of cases related to child rights<br />
violati<strong>on</strong> have been dealt with within a very short time, al<strong>on</strong>g with other cases not directly related to children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
women.<br />
The Birth <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Death Registrati<strong>on</strong> Act has been enacted in 2004 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> entered into effect in 2006. This Act is<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sidered as a saviour in the area of child protecti<strong>on</strong> in many respects. It has been followed by five Birth<br />
Registrati<strong>on</strong> Rules <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> all of them have been approved.<br />
The Penal Code (Amendment) Act, 2004 has been enacted. The minimum age of criminal resp<strong>on</strong>sibility has<br />
been raised to 9 years from 7.<br />
The Mines (Amendment) Act, 2004 has revised the age of children who can be engaged in mines from 15 years<br />
to 18 years to c<strong>on</strong>form to the <strong>CRC</strong>. Now, this Act prohibits employment of any pers<strong>on</strong> below 18 years of age in<br />
any mine.<br />
As per the Court of Wards (Amendment) Act, 2006, any orphaned child who has reached 18 years has now the<br />
right to claim the property or sell it which he/she is supposed to be legally inheriting. Previously the age was 21.<br />
The definiti<strong>on</strong> of 'minor' is now c<strong>on</strong>sistent in the matters related to age of inheritance with the <strong>CRC</strong> as per this<br />
amendment.<br />
A new law, Bangladesh Labour law, 2006 has been enacted in October 2006. Am<strong>on</strong>g others, it deals with some<br />
prohibiti<strong>on</strong>s related to child labour. Child labour, hazardous work by a pers<strong>on</strong> below 18 in particular, is prohibited<br />
by this Law. Government will c<strong>on</strong>tinue to identify/prepare <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> publish list of such hazardous works. For any<br />
16
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
other (n<strong>on</strong>-hazardous) ec<strong>on</strong>omic activity the lower limit of admissi<strong>on</strong> into employment is 14 years but with the<br />
certificati<strong>on</strong> of a registered medical doctor about fitness <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> age of the child/adolescent. The employer must<br />
preserve the certificate; allow her/him to c<strong>on</strong>tinue <strong>on</strong>-going educati<strong>on</strong> adjusting working hours, ranging from 30<br />
to 42 hours per week (during the day time <strong>on</strong>ly meaning restricti<strong>on</strong> of work during 7.00 pm to 7.00 am).<br />
Another new law, Women C<strong>on</strong>victed in Jail Special Privileges Act, 2006 provides all women in jail to be trained<br />
by the Government in different income generating activities <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ensure their social <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ec<strong>on</strong>omic reintegrati<strong>on</strong><br />
as so<strong>on</strong> as the term ends.<br />
In order to improve the overall law <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> order situati<strong>on</strong>, some new measures have been undertaken by the<br />
Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> some new are offing. Acti<strong>on</strong> is underway to upgrade the existing 12 Thanas into model PS to<br />
prevent crimes in Dhaka city. Service delivery centres have been set up in model <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> metropolitan police<br />
stati<strong>on</strong>s (a fr<strong>on</strong>t office with an official to cordially <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sincerely record <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>le the cases <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other<br />
complaints, inter alia) to enhance the quality of police service. Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Victim Support Centres have been<br />
established in Dhaka Metropolis. Steps have been undertaken to enhance the efficiency of Bangladesh Rifles<br />
(border security force) through introducing special allowances <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rewards for border forces, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> increasing the<br />
number of border outposts.<br />
1.2.3 New Instituti<strong>on</strong>s, Polices <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Plans<br />
For the administrati<strong>on</strong> of juvenile justice in the country, a Nati<strong>on</strong>al Legal Aid Organizati<strong>on</strong> (NLAO) has been<br />
established. The NLAO has started providing legal aid services to children in pris<strong>on</strong>s, poor in particular, as well<br />
as certified institutes (Development Centre). The State Party has also established the following:<br />
A Nati<strong>on</strong>al Foundati<strong>on</strong> for Development of Disabled in 2001.<br />
A Bureau of N<strong>on</strong>-formal Educati<strong>on</strong> was established in April 2005<br />
A N<strong>on</strong>-government Teachers Registrati<strong>on</strong> Certificati<strong>on</strong> Authority in 2005<br />
The following policies/strategies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> plans have been put into implementati<strong>on</strong>:<br />
Time Bound Programme for Child Labour (2004-2015)<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reducti<strong>on</strong> (NSAPR) or Poverty Reducti<strong>on</strong> Strategy Paper<br />
(PRSP), October 2005<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> (NPA) for Children (2005-2010)<br />
Gender Strategy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Acti<strong>on</strong> Plan, January 2006<br />
Strategy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Acti<strong>on</strong> Plan for Mainstreaming Special Needs of Children, October 2006<br />
Strategy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Acti<strong>on</strong> Plan for Mainstreaming the Tribal Children in Primary Educati<strong>on</strong>, November 2006<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-formal Educati<strong>on</strong> Policy, January 2006<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Food Policy 2006<br />
The following draft policies are awaiting approval of the Government:<br />
Arsenic Policy<br />
Child Labour Policy<br />
Social Policy for children <strong>on</strong> alternative care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> protecti<strong>on</strong> for children in c<strong>on</strong>tact with law<br />
Street Children Policy<br />
17
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> for Educati<strong>on</strong> for All (NPA EFA)<br />
Strategy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Acti<strong>on</strong> Plan for Mainstreaming Vulnerable Children in Primary Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
Early Childhood Development Policy<br />
A plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Juvenile Justice<br />
NPA for Combating Trafficking<br />
NPA against the Sexual Abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Exploitati<strong>on</strong> of Children including Trafficking<br />
1.2.4 Nati<strong>on</strong>al strategy for children<br />
The third Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> (NPA) for Children (2005-2010) was formulated <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a mechanism for<br />
m<strong>on</strong>itoring the implementati<strong>on</strong> of the plan has been established under the leadership of the Ministry of Women<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children Affairs (MoWCA). A mid-term evaluati<strong>on</strong> in 2008 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> an end-term evaluati<strong>on</strong> will be undertaken to<br />
measure the effectiveness of implementati<strong>on</strong> of the NPA<br />
The NPA was prepared in a participatory manner. In line with a c<strong>on</strong>cept paper prepared by the MoWCA, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
following a series of meetings, a working committee for NPA was established. In order to deal with specific areas<br />
of the NPA, five multi-sectoral <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> inter-disciplinary Advisory Panels were formed. The Panels took into<br />
c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> the <strong>CRC</strong>, Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> of the WFFC agenda, MDG <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the NSAPR.<br />
1.3 Administrative <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other measures, budgetary analysis<br />
1.3.1 Child/Human rights instituti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
The Nati<strong>on</strong>al Children Council, headed by the MoWCA, is the highest policy-level body for children. A draft law<br />
<strong>on</strong> Children's Commissi<strong>on</strong>er (Ombudspers<strong>on</strong>) has been framed. It is awaiting final approval of the Cabinet.<br />
Some sporadic attempts towards establishing a Nati<strong>on</strong>al Human Rights Commissi<strong>on</strong> have been initiated by the<br />
State Party without any tangible results during the reporting period.<br />
1.3.2 Cooperati<strong>on</strong> between government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> civil society<br />
BSAF <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> CDF are networking organizati<strong>on</strong>s for few hundred child-related NGOs. Government partnerships<br />
exist with NGOs to implement important projects such as the Basic Educati<strong>on</strong> for Urban Working Children,<br />
Adolescent Girls' Empowerment, Early Childhood Development projects - HIV&AIDS, Anti-trafficking, ARISE<br />
(which is a comp<strong>on</strong>ent of Protecti<strong>on</strong> of Children at Risk Project, PCAR since April 2007), WFCL-IPEC (Worst<br />
Form of Child Labour-Internati<strong>on</strong>al Programme for Eliminati<strong>on</strong> of Child Labour), <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> many others<br />
The Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGO collaborati<strong>on</strong> enables supplementati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> complementati<strong>on</strong> of efforts specially<br />
covering vulnerable groups such as urban street children, working children, adolescents <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> so <strong>on</strong>. The<br />
important collaborative areas include: child rights, health, early childhood development, n<strong>on</strong>-formal educati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
water, sanitati<strong>on</strong>, envir<strong>on</strong>mental programmes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> so <strong>on</strong>.<br />
1.3.3 Budgetary measures<br />
Bangladesh has been allocating more than 20 percent of the total Government expenditure in social sectors<br />
since 1990, which is more than 3 percent of the GDP. The Government has increased its investment in<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> sector by allocating about <strong>on</strong>e-sixth of the nati<strong>on</strong>al budget of which the share of primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> n<strong>on</strong>-<br />
18
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
formal educati<strong>on</strong> sub-sector is nearly half. The Table 1.4 shows that there is an overall c<strong>on</strong>sistency in<br />
development budget (Annual Development Programme-ADP) allocati<strong>on</strong> in two major social sectors- educati<strong>on</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> health.<br />
Table 1.4: Budget allocati<strong>on</strong> under ADP<br />
(Taka in milli<strong>on</strong>)<br />
Year Total Development Primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Mass Educati<strong>on</strong> Health<br />
Budget Educati<strong>on</strong> (part of<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> budget)<br />
2001-02 160,000 14,053 (8.8%) 21,710 (13.6%) 14,430 (9.0%)<br />
2002-03 171,000 14,466 (8.5%) 25,520 (14.9%) 15,430 (9.0%)<br />
2003-04 203,000 11,058 (5.5%) 27,110 (13.4%) 16,120 (7.9%)<br />
2004-05 220,000 15,957 (7.3%) 31,410 (14.3%) 21,560 (9.8%)<br />
2005-06 245,000 16,660 (6.8%) 32,970 (13.5%) 22,690 (9.3%)<br />
2006-07 260,000 19,920 (7.7%) 38,650 (14.9%) 20,633 (7.9%)<br />
2007-08 270,000 22,800 (8.4%) 35,950 (13%) 26,063(10%)<br />
Source: Annual Budget for 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08; Finance Divisi<strong>on</strong>, Ministry of Finance;<br />
(Exchange rate of 1 US$= Taka 68.0)<br />
The educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> health sectors together account for about <strong>on</strong>e quarter of the total development budget. The<br />
increase in allocati<strong>on</strong> has been substantial in the last seven-year period. It is to menti<strong>on</strong> that the development<br />
budget is composed of both internal resources <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> foreign aid <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> loan. In 2006-07, for example, total internal<br />
resources have been estimated to be 56 percent of total development allocati<strong>on</strong> while 44 percent is coming from<br />
external resources.<br />
Five sectors, namely, educati<strong>on</strong>, health, social welfare, sports <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> culture, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> labour <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> manpower are<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sidered under the Social sector. The following table gives sector-wide break-up of allocati<strong>on</strong> for last seven<br />
years.<br />
Table 1.5: Allocati<strong>on</strong> in Social Sectors under ADP<br />
(Taka in milli<strong>on</strong>)<br />
Sector 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08<br />
1. Educati<strong>on</strong> 21,710 25,520 27,110 31,410 32,970 38,650 40,765<br />
2. Health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Family Welfare 14,430 15,430 16,120 21,560 22,690 20,633 26,063<br />
3. Social Welfare, Women 1,730 2,270 1,690 1,800 1,880 3,765 2,113<br />
Affairs & Youth Development<br />
4. Sports <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Culture 790 940 1,210 1,450 1,570 1,606 803<br />
5. Labour <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Manpower 180 270 570 690 710 837 940<br />
(Employment)<br />
6. Sub-total 38,840 44,420 45,179 55,290 58,128 65,491 70,684<br />
7. As percent (%) of 24.3 26.0 22.3 25.1 23.7 25.19 26.0<br />
ADP expenditure<br />
8. Total ADP allocati<strong>on</strong> 160,000 171,000 203,000 220,000 245,000 260,000 270,000<br />
Source: Annual Budget for 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 Finance Divisi<strong>on</strong>, Ministry of Finance;<br />
(Exchange rate of 1 US$= Taka 68.0)<br />
19
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
The educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> health sectors together account for about <strong>on</strong>e quarter of the total development budget. The<br />
increase in allocati<strong>on</strong> has been substantial in the last seven-year period. It is to menti<strong>on</strong> that the development<br />
budget is composed of both internal resources <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> foreign aid <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> loan. In 2006-07, for example, total internal<br />
resources have been estimated to be 56 percent of total development allocati<strong>on</strong> while 44 percent is coming from<br />
external resources.<br />
Five sectors, namely, educati<strong>on</strong>, health, social welfare, sports <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> culture, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> labour <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> manpower are<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sidered under the Social sector. The following table gives sector-wide break-up of allocati<strong>on</strong> for last seven<br />
years.<br />
1.4 M<strong>on</strong>itoring, data collecti<strong>on</strong>, implementati<strong>on</strong>, reporting<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> internati<strong>on</strong>al cooperati<strong>on</strong><br />
The Government has decided to make the General Ec<strong>on</strong>omic Divisi<strong>on</strong> of the Planning Commissi<strong>on</strong> the<br />
coordinating body for tracking progress of nati<strong>on</strong>al targets, as defined in the NSAPR <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> MDG. The tracking of<br />
the progress of World Fit For Children (WFFC), <strong>CRC</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other regi<strong>on</strong>al instrument lies <strong>on</strong> the MoWCA which<br />
it does in cooperati<strong>on</strong> with other ministries having specific role in children's activities like educati<strong>on</strong>, health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
protecti<strong>on</strong>. In each area, a set of indicators have been developed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> data <strong>on</strong> each of those are being collected<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> published in different survey reports. Most of MDG <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> WFFC indicator data are available now. In most<br />
surveys, qualitative improvements in methodology <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> survey design have been brought in.<br />
The progress of many child-related programmes is m<strong>on</strong>itored regularly by Implementati<strong>on</strong> M<strong>on</strong>itoring <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Evaluati<strong>on</strong> Divisi<strong>on</strong> (IMED) under the Ministry of Planning. IMED does it in additi<strong>on</strong> to project officials who have<br />
m<strong>on</strong>itoring staff in field locati<strong>on</strong>s. Every project steering committee is m<strong>on</strong>itoring overall progress of<br />
implementati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> a regular basis. All projects <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> programmes carry out mid-term <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> final evaluati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
besides c<strong>on</strong>ducting other studies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> surveys.<br />
Impact level data <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> informati<strong>on</strong> are provided by specific surveys. The last Demographic <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Health Survey<br />
(DHS) was carried out in Bangladesh in 2004 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) in 2003 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
2006. The ninth MICS, c<strong>on</strong>ducted jointly by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> UNICEF, is a<br />
mechanism for systematic collecti<strong>on</strong> of data <strong>on</strong> the situati<strong>on</strong> of children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> women. BBS now has enhanced<br />
its capacity in managing MICS. BBS c<strong>on</strong>ducted training of data collectors <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> supervisors, carried out 5 percent<br />
post enumerati<strong>on</strong> check of the questi<strong>on</strong>naire, analysed data <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> prepared the report. MICS provides districtwise<br />
data for children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> women in additi<strong>on</strong> to separate data set for urban slum <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> tribal populati<strong>on</strong> since<br />
1995. In 2006, through the adopti<strong>on</strong> of a new sampling design, MICS produced data <strong>on</strong> a wider range of<br />
indicators through surveys in about 68,000 households. New data <strong>on</strong> early childhood development,<br />
immunizati<strong>on</strong>, child <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> women health, educati<strong>on</strong>, cooking fuel, dwelling type <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ownership, protecti<strong>on</strong> of<br />
adolescents, injury <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> accidents have been collected in 2006. The MICS report was published <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
disseminated widely in 64 districts through seminars with important stakeholders.<br />
The reports of all the above documents have already been published, except that MICS 2006 which is still in<br />
daft form (August 2006). Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> many other organizati<strong>on</strong>s are preparing different types of reports<br />
using the data of these surveys. MICS, Child Labour Surveys, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> others were very much useful for this <strong>CRC</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>. Capacity <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> quality of different government agencies, MoWCA BBS in particular, in terms of reporting<br />
has further improved.<br />
The Sample Vital Registrati<strong>on</strong> System (SVRS) provides regular data <strong>on</strong> child mortality <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Child Nutriti<strong>on</strong><br />
Survey generated comprehensive children data every four years. These surveys are carried out also by<br />
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.<br />
20
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Bangladesh carried out a large survey to investigate the causes of under-five mortality <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> morbidity in 2003.<br />
This survey, c<strong>on</strong>ducted in 170,000 households revealed that injuries <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> accidents account for 29 per cent of<br />
all deaths am<strong>on</strong>g children 1-4 years (ICMH & UNICEF, 2003). Based <strong>on</strong> the findings, a new project has been<br />
undertaken to prevent injuries <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> accidents. Another survey c<strong>on</strong>ducted in 2003/04 established that 36 percent<br />
of infants are born with low birth weight (BBS & UNICEF, 2003/04). The anaemia survey of 2003 showed that<br />
anaemia is a severe public health problem in children aged 6-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adolescents <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> pregnant women<br />
in Chittag<strong>on</strong>g Hill Tracts (CHT).<br />
BBS with the technical cooperati<strong>on</strong> of ILO-IPEC has c<strong>on</strong>ducted two rounds of Child Labour Survey in 1996 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
2003.Tehese were household based child labour surveys which provided comprehensive data <strong>on</strong> working<br />
children. A 'Baseline Survey for Determining Hazardous Child Labour in Bangladesh' was also c<strong>on</strong>ducted in<br />
2005. Under this survey 45 hazardous activities/sectors were identified <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> as many as 13,180 sample<br />
establishments from these sectors were selected. The main objective of this survey was not <strong>on</strong>ly to identify the<br />
child workers but also to determine incidence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> distributi<strong>on</strong> of children engaged in hazardous works.<br />
The State Party has been maintaining cooperati<strong>on</strong> with internati<strong>on</strong>al organizati<strong>on</strong>s since l<strong>on</strong>g. The development<br />
partners in the recent years are showing increased interest in empowering women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children, resulted higher<br />
assistance <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> cooperati<strong>on</strong> with MoWCA, so that matter with the State Party. Not <strong>on</strong>ly the number of<br />
development partners is increasing, the volume <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> magnitude of cooperati<strong>on</strong> is also <strong>on</strong> rise in the recent years<br />
for programmes relating to children. There were many development partners; however, UNICEF always<br />
remained proactive so far support to children is c<strong>on</strong>cerned.<br />
1.5 Coordinati<strong>on</strong> of implementati<strong>on</strong> activities<br />
The MoWCA is resp<strong>on</strong>sible for coordinating child related activities with 18 ministries. The Ministry has made a<br />
proposal to create a Department of Children Affairs which is under c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of the appropriate authority.<br />
MoWCA arranges meetings of the Inter-ministerial <strong>CRC</strong> St<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing Committee headed by its Secretary. The<br />
Committee advises <strong>on</strong> major policy matters such as preparati<strong>on</strong> of the NPA for Children, celebrati<strong>on</strong> of annual<br />
<strong>CRC</strong> Week, m<strong>on</strong>itoring <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> reporting mechanisms <strong>on</strong> children's issues.<br />
At district level, there is a committee headed by the Deputy Commissi<strong>on</strong>er which has the resp<strong>on</strong>sibility to<br />
m<strong>on</strong>itor broad progress achieved in children's programmes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> situati<strong>on</strong>. The committee members received<br />
training arranged by MoWCA <strong>on</strong> child rights <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> programme m<strong>on</strong>itoring. There is a plan to further the capacity<br />
of committee members/c<strong>on</strong>cerned pers<strong>on</strong>s to h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>le salutati<strong>on</strong> related to child rights at field level.<br />
Ministry of Law, Justice <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Parliamentary Affairs (MoLJPA) is in the process of establishing 4 Juvenile courts<br />
in four divisi<strong>on</strong>al cities.<br />
1. 6 Disseminati<strong>on</strong> of the <strong>CRC</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
1.6.1 <strong>CRC</strong> disseminati<strong>on</strong><br />
Child rights awareness is administered under a number of sectoral programmes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> projects in additi<strong>on</strong> to a<br />
specific media project implemented by the Ministry of Informati<strong>on</strong> funded by UNICEF. Sectorally, communicati<strong>on</strong><br />
initiatives have focused <strong>on</strong> the educati<strong>on</strong> rights of children, especially those of girls <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> working children; <strong>on</strong><br />
arsenic c<strong>on</strong>taminati<strong>on</strong> of ground water, <strong>on</strong> immunizati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> maternal health. As to the efficacy of these<br />
initiatives, an example may be given from arsenic programme which helped to raise awareness am<strong>on</strong>g 35<br />
21
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
percent of the populati<strong>on</strong> in the programme area in 2000 to 76 per cent in 2003. Similarly, birth registrati<strong>on</strong><br />
campaigns run in 19 districts resulted in registrati<strong>on</strong> of about 8 milli<strong>on</strong> children under five years in 2004.<br />
During the reporting period, the local language (Bangla) versi<strong>on</strong> of the <strong>CRC</strong> have been printed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> distributed<br />
to head teachers of all primary schools, Government officials, Uni<strong>on</strong> Parishad (Council) Chairpers<strong>on</strong>s, Imams<br />
(Religious Leaders) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> many others.<br />
Workshops <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> roundtable meetings <strong>on</strong> issues such as violence against women, violati<strong>on</strong> of the rights of the<br />
child, commercial <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sexual exploitati<strong>on</strong> of children were arranged. Bangladesh Betar (Radio), Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Institute of Mass Communicati<strong>on</strong> (NIMCo) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) c<strong>on</strong>ducted training courses<br />
<strong>on</strong> different media topics.<br />
The draft of "A World Fit for Children" document was discussed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> shared widely <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> debated in Bangladesh<br />
in 2001 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 2002. This brought important field perspectives into its effective implementati<strong>on</strong>. Divisi<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al level c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s were held where extensive comments <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> inputs were gathered from the<br />
participants including children.<br />
The Ministry of Informati<strong>on</strong> has in recent years undertaken coordinated approach to build awareness <strong>on</strong><br />
children's issues. Communicati<strong>on</strong> packages were developed for use by mass media <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> through interpers<strong>on</strong>al<br />
channels. Partnership am<strong>on</strong>g eight key agencies under the Ministry of Informati<strong>on</strong>: Bangladesh Televisi<strong>on</strong><br />
(BTV), Bangladesh Betar (Radio), PIB, Department of Mass Communicati<strong>on</strong> (DMC), NIMCo, Department of<br />
Films <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Publicati<strong>on</strong>s (DFP), Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BSS (News Agency of Bangladesh) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Press<br />
Informati<strong>on</strong> Department (PID) helped in complementing efforts.<br />
Various types of publicati<strong>on</strong>s, visuals <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> televisi<strong>on</strong> documentaries are regularly produced by Ministry of<br />
Informati<strong>on</strong>, Ministry of Health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Family Welfare, Ministry of Primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Mass Educati<strong>on</strong>, UNICEF <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs<br />
<strong>on</strong> children programmes.<br />
BTV telecasts several programmes <strong>on</strong> regular basis. The important <strong>on</strong>es include: documentary <strong>on</strong> street<br />
children; programme <strong>on</strong> children with disability; drama <strong>on</strong> early marriage (numbering around 20; early child hood<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>. It also arranged young broadcasters' workshop <strong>on</strong> the occasi<strong>on</strong> of Internati<strong>on</strong>al Children's Day <strong>on</strong><br />
Broadcasting (ICDB). Al<strong>on</strong>g with the Government TV Centre, most of the private channels are now widely<br />
covering child's issues, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children are increasingly participating directly in their programmes. The country<br />
received its first ever Emmy Award in 2004 for a (child) film Amrao Pari (we can also do) produced by ATN-a<br />
private satellite TV Channel.<br />
DMC took initiatives such as, awareness raising programme <strong>on</strong> <strong>CRC</strong>; showing Meena Carto<strong>on</strong>; campaign<br />
relating to eradicating child labour; early marriage <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> dowry; child educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> trafficking; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> equal rights<br />
(of girls <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> boys), birth registrati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> so <strong>on</strong>.<br />
DFP is involved in producti<strong>on</strong> of documentaries <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> short films c<strong>on</strong>cerning <strong>CRC</strong>. The NIMCo arranges<br />
training/workshop for reporters <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> corresp<strong>on</strong>dents including children working across the country <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> helps<br />
them acquiring skills in the fields of writing features. Child rights issue covers an important part of their training.<br />
During 2002-2006 it has organized 21 workshops focusing <strong>CRC</strong>.<br />
Bangladesh Betar (Nati<strong>on</strong>al Radio) through its 10 centres/units regularly broadcasts programmes <strong>on</strong> Safe<br />
Motherhood, Child Health, Educati<strong>on</strong>, Food <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Nutriti<strong>on</strong>, Sanitati<strong>on</strong>, Immunizati<strong>on</strong>, Early marriage, Child<br />
Labour, 'Say yes for Children', Birth Registrati<strong>on</strong>, Child Abuses, Trafficking <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> so <strong>on</strong>. Radio arranges<br />
discussi<strong>on</strong>, debate, interview, spot, jingle, radio carto<strong>on</strong>, drama, quiz, slogans, observance of day (namely<br />
Meena day) aiming at creating awareness <strong>on</strong> child rights <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> related matters. The authority is planning to<br />
increase the number <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> durati<strong>on</strong> of such programmes in future. Bangladesh Betar organised child-friendly<br />
events <strong>on</strong> ICDB.<br />
22
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
BSS, a news agency under Ministry of Informati<strong>on</strong>, also remains active in building awareness about <strong>CRC</strong> in the<br />
country through publishing features, spot reporting, carto<strong>on</strong>, articles in both electr<strong>on</strong>ic <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> press media <strong>on</strong> a<br />
regular basis.<br />
Bangladesh Shishu (Children) Academy (BSA), a nati<strong>on</strong>al organizati<strong>on</strong> for children under MOWCA, has been<br />
implementing various programmes including awareness building <strong>on</strong> <strong>CRC</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child issues, training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> cultural<br />
activities, day observati<strong>on</strong>s, questi<strong>on</strong>-answer sessi<strong>on</strong>s (debate), establishing Nati<strong>on</strong>al Children Task Force etc.<br />
A 10-day training programme entitled 'Script Development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Animati<strong>on</strong> Training <strong>on</strong> Meena' was organized in<br />
2005. As an outcome of the training, five scripts were developed <strong>on</strong> Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH),<br />
Quality Educati<strong>on</strong>, Protecti<strong>on</strong>, Water, Sanitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Hygiene <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Injury Preventi<strong>on</strong>. A total of 40 professi<strong>on</strong>als<br />
including script writers, animators <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> storyboard artists attended the training programme. Training of 85 local<br />
theatre groups from 22 districts was completed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> so far 180 shows <strong>on</strong> quality educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> girls' educati<strong>on</strong><br />
issues have been performed. Training <strong>on</strong> child rights <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> gender awareness are carried out at the district <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
local government levels regularly. Through the child rights capacity development training (2006-07), with the<br />
support of UNICEF, MoWCA sensitized 150 government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGO officials <strong>on</strong> NPA implementati<strong>on</strong> of <strong>CRC</strong>.<br />
Several NGOs organized discussi<strong>on</strong>s with journalist to sensitize them <strong>on</strong> the issues around child rights, sexual<br />
abuse, exploitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> trafficking, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> various training organized. A draft code of c<strong>on</strong>duct for newspaper<br />
reporters <strong>on</strong> ethical reporting has been prepared. The State Party has issued a circular to counsel avoiding<br />
using pictures of sexually abused children in the daily newspaper. Meena Day (24 September) is regularly<br />
celebrated by a number of Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGO partners in Dhaka <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> throughout Bangladesh. New Meena<br />
Episode, Fair Play of Girls, Aar Noy Kanna, Protul Bannyai (WES), Phenomena (ARI), Bannyai Nirapode Thaki<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Amader Dekhbo Amra (child protecti<strong>on</strong>) were developed.<br />
NGOs, children's organizati<strong>on</strong>s, Scouts, mothers' clubs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the media as well distributed Behavioural Change<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Communicati<strong>on</strong> (BCC) materials in different workshops, seminars, discussi<strong>on</strong> sessi<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> training<br />
programmes. In additi<strong>on</strong> to the above, several NGOs/Forums/CBOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> civil society are implementing both<br />
short <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> l<strong>on</strong>g term programmes in developing awareness about various child issues. The BSAF, for instance,<br />
through its 235 organizati<strong>on</strong>s, has been regularly implementing such programmes/activities throughout the<br />
country. It utilizes both print <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> electr<strong>on</strong>ic media to this effect. The specific activities of these organizati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
include:<br />
Building capacity of community Based organizati<strong>on</strong>s, NGO <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> GO<br />
Mobilizing vulnerable groups like adolescent girls, women etc<br />
Mobilizing community leaders<br />
Awareness raising <strong>on</strong> relevant issues<br />
Organize rallies, observance of special days, workshops <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> seminars<br />
1.6.2 Disseminati<strong>on</strong> of c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
The Committee's C<strong>on</strong>cluding Observati<strong>on</strong>s issued in October 2003 <strong>on</strong> Bangladesh's Sec<strong>on</strong>d <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> have been<br />
translated <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> widely disseminated. One children's versi<strong>on</strong> in Bangla was also published <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> distributed.<br />
1.6.3 Preparati<strong>on</strong> of periodic report<br />
The preparati<strong>on</strong> of the present report has been coordinated by MoWCA with support from UNICEF. The report<br />
is based <strong>on</strong> informati<strong>on</strong> collected by MoWCA from all the relevant ministries, departments <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> agencies al<strong>on</strong>g<br />
with data from many other sources. The child focal pers<strong>on</strong>s from all relevant Ministries were identified <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> they<br />
23
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
received an orientati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> <strong>CRC</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> preparati<strong>on</strong> in early June 2006. Headed by the Secretary,<br />
MoWCA, a multidisciplinary body of departments was formed. Initial draft of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> was prepared by<br />
MoWCA in associati<strong>on</strong> with UNICEF. The group reviewed the drafts of the document, arranged discussi<strong>on</strong>,<br />
organized c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> meetings in Dhaka <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> at sub-nati<strong>on</strong>al level, helped recording discussi<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> prepare<br />
minutes, incorporate recommended revisi<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> inputs, arranged children's participati<strong>on</strong>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> finalised the<br />
document.<br />
As discussed elsewhere, the c<strong>on</strong>cerned offices at field levels were involved in the process of preparati<strong>on</strong> of this<br />
<strong>CRC</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> through organizing workshops/c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s at Divisi<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Nati<strong>on</strong>al levels. MoWCA in<br />
associati<strong>on</strong> with UNICEF <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Divisi<strong>on</strong>al Commissi<strong>on</strong>ers' Offices organized a total six such c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
Participants from all the districts of the country attended the C<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>tributed. Two Children<br />
C<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> Meetings were also organized for the purpose, <strong>on</strong>e at Dhaka <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other at Rajshahi.<br />
24
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
25
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
II.<br />
DEFINITION<br />
OF THE CHILD<br />
26
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
2.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
The State Party has undertaken several measures towards synchr<strong>on</strong>izing the domestic laws <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> regulati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
during the reporting period, keeping in mind the st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard definiti<strong>on</strong> of child. Not <strong>on</strong>ly there are several laws <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
regulati<strong>on</strong>s relating to children, they also are different in many respects including age of child. Moreover, there<br />
are socio-political, cultural <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> religious reas<strong>on</strong>s behind it.<br />
The age of criminal resp<strong>on</strong>sibility has been raised to 9 from 7 years (Penal Code Amendment Act, 2004). The<br />
Mines (Amendment) Act, 2004 has revised the age of children who can be engaged in Mines from 15 years to<br />
18 years to c<strong>on</strong>form to the <strong>CRC</strong>. As per the Court of Wards (Amendment) Act, 2006, any orphaned child who<br />
has reached 18 years has now the right to claim the property or sell it which he/she is supposed to be legally<br />
inheriting. Previously the age was 21. A child labour policy dealing, inter alia, rati<strong>on</strong>alizing age of child <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child<br />
labour is under active c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of approval. The age for admissi<strong>on</strong> to employment under different existing<br />
laws varies from 14 to 18 years under the new labour law, enacted in 2006, However, it permits a pers<strong>on</strong> of 14<br />
years to get into employment with certificates from medical pers<strong>on</strong>s about his age <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> fitness. Under the<br />
existing law, the minimum age of marriage of a girl is 18 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a boy is 21.<br />
A Committee headed by Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW) has been formed to m<strong>on</strong>itor the implementati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
Children Act 1974 involving all c<strong>on</strong>cerned Ministries <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Departments <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Organizati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
2.2 Legal review <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> strengthening of policies<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> legal measures<br />
Bangladesh Supreme Court, c<strong>on</strong>sisting of High Court <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Appellate Divisi<strong>on</strong>s, is the highest legal body in the<br />
country. Criminal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> civil courts operate at the Zila (district) level. The State party has been working to separate<br />
the Judiciary from the Executive. In recent days the process is accelerated. Some Rules have already been<br />
framed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> necessary amendments in the Code of Criminal Procedures, 1896 have been made. There is<br />
existence of local salish (mediati<strong>on</strong> mechanism) since l<strong>on</strong>g.<br />
There are a number of laws related to children in Bangladesh. These do not provide a c<strong>on</strong>sistent definiti<strong>on</strong> of a<br />
child. These laws are yet to be revised to bring in a unified definiti<strong>on</strong>. Each law has specific objective <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> it is<br />
difficult to synchr<strong>on</strong>ize ages in different laws. A high powered Committee has been formed to review <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
harm<strong>on</strong>ize the nati<strong>on</strong>al laws in line with <strong>CRC</strong>. The Secretaries of Ministry of Home Affairs, MOWCA, Ministry of<br />
Social Welfare, Ministry of Labour <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Employment, Ministry of Educati<strong>on</strong>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Ministry of L<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> are important<br />
members of the committee. The committee has identified five laws for revisi<strong>on</strong>. The Laws identified for review<br />
are as follows:<br />
27
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
i. Court of Wards Act of 1879<br />
ii. Juvenile Smoking Act 1919<br />
iii. Mines Act of 1923<br />
iv. Vagrancy Act of 1943<br />
v. The Children Act of 1974<br />
The Government has identified 14 Rules through an assessment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> suggested to review <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> amend these<br />
laws to synchr<strong>on</strong>ise with the <strong>CRC</strong> articles. These are:<br />
1. Bangladesh Passport Rules, 1974;<br />
2. Passport Rules, 1955;<br />
3. Muslim Marriages <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Divorces (Registrati<strong>on</strong>) Rules, 1975;<br />
4. Income Tax Rules, 1984;<br />
5. Building C<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> Rules, 1992;<br />
6. Bangladesh Citizenship (Temporary Provisi<strong>on</strong>s) Rules,1978;<br />
7. Citizenship Rules, 1952;<br />
8. Electoral Rolls Rules, 1982;<br />
9. C<strong>on</strong>trol of Employment Rules, 1965;<br />
10. Exporter, Importer <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> indenters (Registrati<strong>on</strong>) Act, 1981;<br />
11. Export <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Import Policy Order<br />
12. Municipal Corporati<strong>on</strong> (Taxati<strong>on</strong>) Rules, 1986;<br />
13. Water Supply <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Sewerage Authority (water C<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
14. Levy of Water Rate Rules, 1966;<br />
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh is aware of the rights of the child. Whenever any deviati<strong>on</strong> occurs, it<br />
interferes either <strong>on</strong> complaint or <strong>on</strong> own moti<strong>on</strong>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> issues rules c<strong>on</strong>taining directi<strong>on</strong>s for taking<br />
necessary/correct measures. Due to such orders passed by the High Court Divisi<strong>on</strong>, total number of children in<br />
c<strong>on</strong>finement has reduced remarkably in the recent years. The figure was 1303 in 2003 all over the country,<br />
which decreased to 395 in June 2007.<br />
The above informati<strong>on</strong> suggest that though reduced overtime, still there is impris<strong>on</strong>ment of children in the Jails.<br />
Few are staying together with the adult offenders. As per a recent newspaper report, close to 300 children are<br />
living in the 3 correcti<strong>on</strong> centres, <strong>on</strong>e located in Jessore (for boys), <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> two in Gazipur District (<strong>on</strong>e for girls <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
other for boys) having a capacity to accommodate a total of 500 children. The correcti<strong>on</strong> centres are now<br />
renamed as Adolescent Development Centres (Kishore/Kishoree Unnayan Kendra-KUK) with view to help<br />
develop the children through providing different trainings <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> related opportunities/facilities. However, required<br />
logistics <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> resources are reportedly not adequately available in these KUKs. There are shortage of staff,<br />
training facilities, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> general physical c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> overall atmosphere is not up to the mark.<br />
Advocacy, meetings <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> workshops arranged in collaborati<strong>on</strong> with NGOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> government in 6 Divisi<strong>on</strong>s helped<br />
release more children from the Jails. Major decisi<strong>on</strong>s like deployment of "Child Police Officer' in each police<br />
28
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
stati<strong>on</strong>, not to apply Special Powers Act in cases of children, compulsory submissi<strong>on</strong> of m<strong>on</strong>itoring report to<br />
police Head Quarters also c<strong>on</strong>tributed to reducti<strong>on</strong> of arrest <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> detenti<strong>on</strong> of children in the country. Increased<br />
coordinati<strong>on</strong> between Police Department <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Department of Social Services as well as NGOs down to district<br />
level has been a positive development in improving Juvenile Justice Administrati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The High Court issued a Rule Nisi in July 2007 up<strong>on</strong> the authorities c<strong>on</strong>cerned to show cause why impris<strong>on</strong>ment<br />
of children in jails should not be declared illegal. The authorities were asked to send the children in custody to<br />
juvenile correcti<strong>on</strong> centre/development centre, up<strong>on</strong> hearing a writ petiti<strong>on</strong> filed by two NGOs (The Daily Star,<br />
25 July 2007). It is hoped that under the present Government the situati<strong>on</strong> will improve <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Rule Nisi will<br />
create impact at operati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> legislative levels.<br />
29
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
III.<br />
GENERAL<br />
PRINCIPLES<br />
30
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
3.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
The Government has taken several measures to ensure implementati<strong>on</strong> of the principle of n<strong>on</strong>-discriminati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The State Party has in collaborati<strong>on</strong> with development partners introduced m<strong>on</strong>thly stipends for the families with<br />
girl students provided they maintain certain criteria. The programme started with primary school students, now<br />
extended to colleges (up to 12 Class). Gender parity has been achieved in access to primary educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Madrasha educati<strong>on</strong>. The Government's initiative to recruit more female teachers (ensuring 60 percent job<br />
quota in primary level) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> incentives programmes for girls in sec<strong>on</strong>dary educati<strong>on</strong> could play positive role in<br />
reducing gender discriminati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The Ministry of Social Welfare's ARISE project represents an important initiative to realize the rights of the most<br />
vulnerable children who are living <strong>on</strong> the streets in six divisi<strong>on</strong>al cities. From April 2007, the ARISE project has<br />
been named as Protecti<strong>on</strong> of Children at Risk (PCAR) Project, being supported by under UNICEF. The project<br />
will build the capacity of Government agencies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> selected NGOs working with street children to provide<br />
vocati<strong>on</strong>al training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> educati<strong>on</strong>, access to safe shelters, health services <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> counselling. Children in instituti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
such as vagrant homes, correcti<strong>on</strong>al centres <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> orphanages will benefit by the activities of PCAR project.<br />
The Ministry of Primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Mass Educati<strong>on</strong> (MoPME) has been implementing the Reaching out of School<br />
Children (ROSC) Project in 60 Upazilas (sub-districts) for the disadvantaged children of 7-10 years of age, who<br />
were never enrolled or dropped out from the formal schools. Another project, Basic Educati<strong>on</strong> for Hard to Reach<br />
Urban Children (BEHTRUC), is being implemented in 6 divisi<strong>on</strong>al cities for the urban working children of 10-14<br />
age groups.<br />
The Strategies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Acti<strong>on</strong> Plan for Mainstreaming Special Needs Children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Strategies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Acti<strong>on</strong> Plan for<br />
Tribal Children in Primary Educati<strong>on</strong> have been approved <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> are under process of implementati<strong>on</strong>. These<br />
include children/people of tea gardens, charl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s (small isl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s in the rivers), haor/baor/beel area (large water<br />
bodies), coastal area, gypsy people (Bede) etc.<br />
The State Party has undertaken several measures to uphold the best interest of the child such as preparati<strong>on</strong><br />
of the NPA; Nati<strong>on</strong>al Children Policy, enacting/amending some related laws <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> legislative measures,<br />
undertaking a number of programmes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> projects, extending cooperati<strong>on</strong> with NGOs/CBOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> development<br />
partners, creating increased awareness about <strong>CRC</strong>.<br />
The Children Act, 1974 prohibits the use of capital punishment against children under 16, but it allows impositi<strong>on</strong><br />
of life term correcti<strong>on</strong> of such child. However, The State Party has made significant progress in this regard in<br />
the recent years <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in practice, the courts in these days rarely impose life sentences <strong>on</strong> children under 18, let<br />
al<strong>on</strong>e death sentence. While in January 2000 there were four children serving life sentence, as <strong>on</strong> 25 August<br />
2007, there was <strong>on</strong>ly <strong>on</strong>e of such child in an Adolescent Development Centre, KUK. The State Party is also<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sidering amendment of Children Act, 1974 so that rights of a child is ensured.<br />
Children's participati<strong>on</strong> received increased attenti<strong>on</strong> in recent years, promoted by both Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
development partners. Children participated substantively during the preparati<strong>on</strong> of the Special Sessi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong><br />
Children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Global Movement for Children (GMC) in the country which helped to bring to the forefr<strong>on</strong>t the<br />
importance of children's participati<strong>on</strong> in nati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> internati<strong>on</strong>al agenda. The children also participated in<br />
preparing both the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> for Children (2005-2010) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> against<br />
Sexual Abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Exploitati<strong>on</strong> of Children including Trafficking (NPA-SAECT).<br />
31
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
In 2004, a Nati<strong>on</strong>al Children's C<strong>on</strong>ference was organized jointly by the MoWCA, Save the Children Alliance <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
UNICEF. A total of 1,000 children participated in the c<strong>on</strong>ference to discuss the rights of the children, the NPA-<br />
SEACT <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the C<strong>on</strong>cluding Observati<strong>on</strong>s made by the Committee <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child in September<br />
2003. A Children's Poll was c<strong>on</strong>ducted in 2005 to collect their opini<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> various issues that affect their lives.<br />
About 4,500 boys <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> girls between 9 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 18 years were interviewed. Two Children C<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s were<br />
successfully organized in course of preparati<strong>on</strong> of this <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
Informati<strong>on</strong>, Educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Communicati<strong>on</strong> (IEC) materials are being regularly produced by the State party,<br />
UNICEF <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> are disseminated through media <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other means of communicati<strong>on</strong> across the<br />
country. However, the State Party is c<strong>on</strong>sidering strengthening the efforts.<br />
3.2 N<strong>on</strong>-discriminati<strong>on</strong><br />
Gender equality <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> disparity reducti<strong>on</strong> is <strong>on</strong>e of the overarching strategies of the NPA (2005-2010). The<br />
Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), which routinely collects informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the situati<strong>on</strong> of children in the<br />
areas of health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child protecti<strong>on</strong>, is designed to identify disparities through the disaggregati<strong>on</strong><br />
of data <strong>on</strong> various bases.<br />
MICS 2006 shows that a large proporti<strong>on</strong> of girls are married at an early age. Nati<strong>on</strong>ally, about 33 percent of<br />
girls aged below 15 years <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 74 percent below 18 years are married. In rural areas, the rate was 78.4 percent<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in urban areas 65.4 percent. There is regi<strong>on</strong>al difference in age of marriage. Am<strong>on</strong>g the tribal populati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
the rate of child marriage is somewhat low (44 percent). There is a negative co-relati<strong>on</strong> between child marriage<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> educati<strong>on</strong>al level <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child marriage <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ec<strong>on</strong>omic status.<br />
One of the 'World Fit for Children' goals is to protect children against abuse, exploitati<strong>on</strong>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> violence, including<br />
the eliminati<strong>on</strong> of discriminati<strong>on</strong> against children with disabilities. Nati<strong>on</strong>ally, 17.5 percent of the 2-9 year old<br />
children had <strong>on</strong>e or more reported disabilities. There are regi<strong>on</strong>al variati<strong>on</strong>s, ranging from around 58 to 81<br />
percent, with no urban-rural difference in disability. The disability is negatively co-related to age. Several districts<br />
have comparatively higher rate of disability. Further research is needed to find out why some districts have such<br />
a high rate of disability.<br />
During the 1990s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> till date, Bangladesh recorded remarkable achievement in primary educati<strong>on</strong>. Girls'<br />
enrolment increased by over 30 percent during the reporting period. Girls' net enrolment in 2005 was 90.10<br />
percent (compared to 84 percent for boys), as against around 80 percent in 2000 (MOPME). Nati<strong>on</strong>al net <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
gross enrolment rate remained 87.20 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 97.5 percent respectively in 2005. There still remains scope<br />
for improvement of quality of educati<strong>on</strong> through decreasing absenteeism, repetiti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> drop out rate.<br />
The situati<strong>on</strong> is worst in urban slum areas. Of primary age girls in urban slums 26 percent have never enrolled<br />
in school <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the net enrolment rate is <strong>on</strong>ly 61 percent which is 23 percent lower than the nati<strong>on</strong>al average. Of<br />
boys in the urban slums, 32 percent have never enrolled <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the net enrolment rate is 58 percent.<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary educati<strong>on</strong> has its own problems despite improvement of enrolment rates of girls in the last decade.<br />
Still, about a third of girls aged 11-15 are out of school, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nearly half of girls who were enrolled in sec<strong>on</strong>dary<br />
dropped out before completing Class 10. Only 8 percent of the age cohort of girls (compared to 15 percent of<br />
the boys) successfully completes the higher sec<strong>on</strong>dary educati<strong>on</strong> cycle (Class 12). Most of the other 92 percent<br />
of the age cohort are already married by this time.<br />
The Government has taken several initiatives to address some of the problems. In July 2002 the Government<br />
launched the Primary Educati<strong>on</strong> Stipend Programme. Under the Programme poor families in rural areas are<br />
given a m<strong>on</strong>thly stipend. The poorest 40 percent students in a school may be selected to receive stipends<br />
32
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
provided they maintain 85 percent attendance <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> pass the annual school examinati<strong>on</strong>s. The initiative is funded<br />
entirely by the Government.<br />
The ARISE project targets to raise the rights of the most vulnerable children who are living <strong>on</strong> the streets of six<br />
divisi<strong>on</strong>al cities. The project has created access for street children to services such as N<strong>on</strong>-formal Educati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
vocati<strong>on</strong>al training, access to safe shelters, health services <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> psycho-social counselling, life skills in six<br />
divisi<strong>on</strong>al cities. The project creates more scope of participati<strong>on</strong> of children in different activities with a view to<br />
social <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> occupati<strong>on</strong>al reintegrati<strong>on</strong> of the children to protect them from discriminati<strong>on</strong>, violence, abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
exploitati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The State Party has established 3 Shishu Paribar (Children Family) in 3 Chittag<strong>on</strong>g Hill Tract Districts for tribal<br />
children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in 2006/07 allocated support for 923 children living in private Orphanages.<br />
The Strategies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Acti<strong>on</strong> Plan for Mainstreaming Special Needs Children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Strategies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Acti<strong>on</strong> Plan for<br />
Tribal Children in Primary Educati<strong>on</strong> have been adopted <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> that basis different projects are taken.<br />
Day by day the State Party is becoming more c<strong>on</strong>cerned about the situati<strong>on</strong> of marginalized people <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children<br />
living in remote areas with poor communicati<strong>on</strong> facilities <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> lesser accessibilities. This group include the Gypsy<br />
(Bede), tea garden workers, haor/beel (large water bodies) inhabitants, chalrl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ers (people living in small<br />
isl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> of rivers), so <strong>on</strong>. Different initiatives are being undertaken to meet their special needs.<br />
3.3 The best interests of the child<br />
While the family envir<strong>on</strong>ment in Bangladesh is generally child-friendly, public instituti<strong>on</strong>s are frequently the<br />
opposite, appearing to be driven more by rules <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> systems than by the interests of the child. There are laws,<br />
however, which include a c<strong>on</strong>cept akin to the 'best interests' principle, even though it may be<br />
interpreted/expressed differently. In the realm of guardianship of minors, for example, the Court must be guided<br />
when making an order by 'what appears in the circumstances to be for the welfare of the minor (Guardians <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Wards Act, 1890).<br />
The Children Act, 1974 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children Rules, 1976 are intended to protect the child's best interest during all kinds<br />
of legal processes such as maintaining c<strong>on</strong>fidentiality, restricting public access to complaint c<strong>on</strong>cerning children,<br />
the special role of police <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> probati<strong>on</strong> officer. The Act provides for separate juvenile courts <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> forbid the joint<br />
trial of an adult <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a child offender where the offence has been jointly committed. The Act also lays down<br />
measures for care for destitute <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> neglected children, including children under the care of parents <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
guardians who habitually neglect, abuse or ill-treat them. The Act also restricts death penalty of the children.<br />
Best interest of the child is the prime c<strong>on</strong>cern of the NPA, 2005-2010 where it states 'All programmes should be<br />
assessed for benefits of the child <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> avoid risks to children affected'.<br />
The Nati<strong>on</strong>al Children Policy 1994 introduces the c<strong>on</strong>cept of the best interests of the child as <strong>on</strong>e of its<br />
objectives in the c<strong>on</strong>text of ensuring 'the best interest of the children in all nati<strong>on</strong>al, social, family or pers<strong>on</strong>al<br />
situati<strong>on</strong>s'. The activities identified to achieve this objective are:<br />
giving priority to the interests of children in all circumstances<br />
collecting informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> children from instituti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>ducting research <strong>on</strong> child-related topics<br />
publicati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> broad disseminati<strong>on</strong> of annual reports showing improvements in the situati<strong>on</strong> of children<br />
Observing Universal Children's Day <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Nati<strong>on</strong>al Children's Day.<br />
33
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) has been implementing a mosque based Child <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Literacy<br />
Programme. Under the programme, the Imams (Community based religious leader) provide different kinds of<br />
training covering issues related to best interest of the child. Training through Imam is found very effective in<br />
Bangladesh. MoRA has established a Training Academy to train the Imams.<br />
The Government has c<strong>on</strong>tinued to allocate increased resources for children. And the impacts of this are<br />
noteworthy. The NGOs in Bangladesh are increasingly supplementing Government efforts in child rights. They,<br />
jointly <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> separately, are undertaking awareness-based advocacy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> campaigns related to duties <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
resp<strong>on</strong>sibilities of the parents, guardians <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> employers about promoting <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> protecting best interest of the<br />
children.<br />
3.4 The right to life, survival <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> development<br />
The visi<strong>on</strong> of Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> for Children is 'A Nati<strong>on</strong> Fit For Bangladesh's Children', while the l<strong>on</strong>g term<br />
goal is to 'ensure the rights of the children to survival, development, protecti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> participati<strong>on</strong>'.<br />
The fundamental objective of the comprehensive Nati<strong>on</strong>al Health Policy, 2002 is to ensure health services for<br />
all. To materialize the health policy, the Health, Nutriti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Populati<strong>on</strong> Sector Programme (HNPSP) aims at<br />
provisi<strong>on</strong> of health care for all <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> reducti<strong>on</strong> of maternal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child mortality. The programme also seeks to<br />
enhance the public health sector's ability to manage the threats of HIV&AIDS.<br />
The major interventi<strong>on</strong>s under the health service are covered through Essential Services Package that includes:<br />
Exp<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed Programme <strong>on</strong> Immunisati<strong>on</strong> (EPI), Acute Respiratory Infecti<strong>on</strong> (ARI) C<strong>on</strong>trol, Diarrhoeal Diseases<br />
C<strong>on</strong>trol (CDD), Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> School Health Programme,<br />
reproductive health care, adolescent health care, health educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> promoti<strong>on</strong>, urban health services,<br />
HIV&AIDS programming, Arsenicosis Management, Accidents <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> injuries, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Disability.<br />
IMCI is a new approach in the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of child healthcare services. This integrated approach is to provide<br />
health promoti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> preventive services of immunisati<strong>on</strong>, micro-nutrient supplementati<strong>on</strong>, growth m<strong>on</strong>itoring<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> counselling <strong>on</strong> feeding, nutriti<strong>on</strong>, care-seeking <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> caring of new-born <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> early stimulati<strong>on</strong> & learning. A<br />
community IMCI strategy to strengthen community-based provisi<strong>on</strong>s for five priority areas, such as, caring <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
care-seeking, feeding <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nutriti<strong>on</strong>, essential new-born care, early childhood development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> preventi<strong>on</strong> of<br />
drowning has been developed.<br />
The major nutriti<strong>on</strong> interventi<strong>on</strong>s package are, increased availability of food grains <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> micr<strong>on</strong>utrient fortified<br />
food, Nati<strong>on</strong>al Nutriti<strong>on</strong> Programme (NNP), c<strong>on</strong>trol of vitamin A deficiency, c<strong>on</strong>trol of iodine deficiency, c<strong>on</strong>trol<br />
of ir<strong>on</strong> deficiency anaemia, promoti<strong>on</strong> of breastfeeding, behavioural change communicati<strong>on</strong> (BCC), capacity<br />
building, etc.<br />
The major interventi<strong>on</strong>s under the water <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sanitati<strong>on</strong> package are: safe water supply <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> arsenic<br />
c<strong>on</strong>taminated tube-well screening, installati<strong>on</strong> of sanitary latrines, water supply <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sanitati<strong>on</strong> in un-served <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
under-served areas, water supply in pourashava (municipal) areas, capacity building of local Governments,<br />
BCC <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> capacity building of Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE)<br />
The Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs, mostly in a collaborative manner, implementing a host of programmes in almost all<br />
relevant sectors including educati<strong>on</strong>, health, protecti<strong>on</strong> towards survival <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> development of the child. Campaigns<br />
to increase public awareness about important issues of <strong>CRC</strong> being the most important programme implemented<br />
jointly. There are other collaborative projects covering direct delivery services to the target groups, children in<br />
particular. New c<strong>on</strong>cept <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> projects are also identified for c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> to the benefit of children. For example,<br />
HNPSP has undertaken preventi<strong>on</strong> of injury as a comp<strong>on</strong>ent basing <strong>on</strong> a survey report of January 2005.<br />
34
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
3.5 Respect for the views of the child<br />
The NPA, 2005-2010 stressed <strong>on</strong> child participati<strong>on</strong> saying 'The Government is committed to children's<br />
participati<strong>on</strong> in policy development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> implementati<strong>on</strong>'. The Government is giving increased attenti<strong>on</strong> to child<br />
participati<strong>on</strong> in the efforts of establishing child rights.<br />
Children participated substantively during the preparati<strong>on</strong> phase of the Special Sessi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Children in 2001/02<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Global Movement for Children (GMC) in the country which helped to bring to the forefr<strong>on</strong>t the importance<br />
of children's participati<strong>on</strong> in both the internati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nati<strong>on</strong>al agenda. The GMC <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> preparati<strong>on</strong> processes<br />
leading up to the Special Sessi<strong>on</strong> also made possible significant collaborative developments at sub-nati<strong>on</strong>al,<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> regi<strong>on</strong>al levels am<strong>on</strong>g children, young people, civil society, NGOs, INGOs, media, the corporate<br />
sector <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Governments in furthering issues relating to children's agenda.<br />
The children participated in preparing both the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> for Children (2005-2010) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> against Sexual Abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Exploitati<strong>on</strong> of Children including Trafficking (NPA-SAECT) with<br />
different stakeholders jointly <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> also separately. Several c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s were also held during the preparati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Social Policy <strong>on</strong> Alternative Models of Care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Protecti<strong>on</strong> for Children in C<strong>on</strong>tact with the Law <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the revised Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> for Pers<strong>on</strong>s with Disabilities.<br />
As a new approach to ensure child participati<strong>on</strong> a Children's Poll was c<strong>on</strong>ducted in 2005. Children's voices <strong>on</strong><br />
various issues that affect their lives were collected through this event. About 4,500 boys <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> girls between 9<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 18 years were interviewed. From the opini<strong>on</strong> poll it was found that more than four-fifths of the children lived<br />
in their parent's house while the others lived in rented or employers' accommodati<strong>on</strong>. Facilities in their<br />
accommodati<strong>on</strong> were poor with almost <strong>on</strong>e third living without an electrical c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> more than <strong>on</strong>e<br />
quarter without safe drinking water. Almost half did not have sanitary latrine facilities <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 5 percent of<br />
households had no latrine at all.<br />
In 2004, a Nati<strong>on</strong>al Children's C<strong>on</strong>ference was organized by MoWCA in collaborati<strong>on</strong> with Save the Children<br />
Alliance <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> UNICEF. A total of 1,000 children participated in the c<strong>on</strong>ference to discuss the rights of the children,<br />
the NPA-SEACT <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the C<strong>on</strong>cluding Observati<strong>on</strong>s. They were also provided with an orientati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> life skills to<br />
strengthen their self-esteem, c<strong>on</strong>fidence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> critical thinking <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> generated views <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> suggesti<strong>on</strong>s from<br />
children <strong>on</strong> their role in promoting Life Skills Based Educati<strong>on</strong> (LSBE) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> disseminating the C<strong>on</strong>cluding<br />
Observati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
Two Children C<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s also were successfully organized in Dhaka <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Rajshahi, for collecting informati<strong>on</strong><br />
towards preparati<strong>on</strong> of this <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>. They were split into five groups, namely, Basic health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> welfare;<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong>, entertainment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> cultural activities; Child labour; Sexual harassment, exploitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> trafficking;<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Discriminati<strong>on</strong> with physically challenged <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ethnic <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> minority groups. Their opini<strong>on</strong>s were given due<br />
importance in course of preparati<strong>on</strong> of this <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW) instituted Children Council in all three KUKs for children's participati<strong>on</strong> in the<br />
issues/decisi<strong>on</strong>s that affect their lives.<br />
35
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
IV.<br />
CIVIL RIGHTS<br />
AND FREEDOMS<br />
36
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
4.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
The State Party's resp<strong>on</strong>se to the Committee's observati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the sec<strong>on</strong>d periodic report is that, the Births <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Deaths Registrati<strong>on</strong> Act, 2004 has been enacted <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> hereunder 5 Rules have been made in 2006. Accordingly,<br />
the State Party has been scaling up the birth registrati<strong>on</strong> activities throughout the country in the recent years.<br />
The Government plans to achieve 100 percent birth registrati<strong>on</strong> by end of 2008 through pursuing new<br />
programmes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> strategies.<br />
The State Party has not yet been able to amend the legislati<strong>on</strong> in respect of name <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nati<strong>on</strong>ality (issues in<br />
c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong> with passing citizenship to the children from either their father or mother <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> statelessness).<br />
However, a draft bill is under c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of MoLJPA.<br />
The Penal Code has been amended in October 2004, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> am<strong>on</strong>g others, the age of criminal resp<strong>on</strong>sibility has<br />
been increased from 7 to 9 years. The joint efforts by government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs resulted in reducti<strong>on</strong> of children<br />
in pris<strong>on</strong>, torture by police in the custody, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> keeping together with adult pris<strong>on</strong>ers.<br />
The benefits of Acid C<strong>on</strong>trol <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Acid Preventi<strong>on</strong> Acts are yet to be reaped as implementati<strong>on</strong> at field level has<br />
not been adequately ensured. GO, NGO <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> private programmes (for example, by a leading nati<strong>on</strong>al daily)<br />
have been successful to create awareness about acid attacks.<br />
With the increased awareness programme, advocacy campaigns <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> training of teachers, community leaders<br />
(including Imams) all forms of corporal punishment in the family, schools <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> instituti<strong>on</strong>s are found to be<br />
decreasing. This is revealed in C<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> Meetings including those of children. This shows that an effective<br />
awareness-building process is <strong>on</strong>. Some NGOs have come forward with the programme of salish with emphasis<br />
<strong>on</strong> ensuring justice for the women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children in particular as well as modernizing this traditi<strong>on</strong>al system.<br />
4.2 Name <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nati<strong>on</strong>ality<br />
The Births <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Deaths Registrati<strong>on</strong> Act was passed in December 2004 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> entered into force <strong>on</strong> 3 July 2006.<br />
The Birth <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Death Registrati<strong>on</strong> Act 1873, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Births, Deaths <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Marriages Registrati<strong>on</strong> Act of 1886 were<br />
repealed. The new Act requires the birth certificate as a proof of age for services that directly affect child rights,<br />
including enrolment in educati<strong>on</strong>al institutes, marriage registrati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> transfer of property, as well as other<br />
services. This factor together with the requirement of the birth certificate for certain services is expected to<br />
create a high dem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> for birth registrati<strong>on</strong>. The registrati<strong>on</strong> will help achieving as many as 16 benefits.<br />
Following the Act, the government adopted corresp<strong>on</strong>ding Birth <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Death Registrati<strong>on</strong> Rules for the different<br />
administrative levels, namely, Uni<strong>on</strong> Parishad (Council), Pourashava (Municipality), City Corporati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
Cant<strong>on</strong>ment Boards <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Embassies/High Commissi<strong>on</strong>s of Bangladesh aboard.<br />
The year 2005 has also witnessed some pilot interventi<strong>on</strong>s aimed at linking birth registrati<strong>on</strong> to health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
educati<strong>on</strong> sectors, c<strong>on</strong>firming that <strong>on</strong>ly by adopting an inter-sectoral strategy the country will be able to register<br />
a significant number of children, ensure that they receive their birth certificates <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that the certificate is used<br />
when accessing other services. The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Cooperatives<br />
(MoLGRD&C) with support of UNICEF is implementing the birth registrati<strong>on</strong> activities nati<strong>on</strong>wide. A good<br />
number of NGOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Forums are being increasingly involved in the process. Some public hospitals such as<br />
Combined Military Hospital (Cant<strong>on</strong>ment Board) are practicing registrati<strong>on</strong> of children without fail. To meet the<br />
expected dem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> created by this new Act, training was provided to all 64 district officials. In additi<strong>on</strong>,<br />
administrative <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> communicati<strong>on</strong> materials were developed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> distributed to all districts for accelerating the<br />
activity. Sixth July has been declared as Birth Registrati<strong>on</strong> Day. In the recent m<strong>on</strong>ths, the registrati<strong>on</strong><br />
performance is improving.<br />
37
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
4.3 Preservati<strong>on</strong> of identity<br />
Bangladeshi nati<strong>on</strong>ality can be acquired by birth, descent, migrati<strong>on</strong> or naturalizati<strong>on</strong>. A child's nati<strong>on</strong>ality is<br />
based <strong>on</strong> the nati<strong>on</strong>ality of his or her father. Prevailing law also does not allow children with a Bangladeshi<br />
mother <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a n<strong>on</strong>-Bangladeshi father who were not born in Bangladesh from acquiring their mother's rather than<br />
their father's nati<strong>on</strong>ality <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> from acquiring dual nati<strong>on</strong>ality.<br />
Previously <strong>on</strong>ly father's name would suffice, but now-a-days wherever applicable (or deemed necessary) writing<br />
both the parents names are m<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>atory.<br />
Bangladesh is not a party to any internati<strong>on</strong>al or regi<strong>on</strong>al refugee instruments, nor does it have any legislative<br />
or administrative provisi<strong>on</strong>s for political asylum-seekers. However, there exists traditi<strong>on</strong> of providing refuge to<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>s fleeing from their own countries whose human rights are violated there. Support of fundamental human<br />
rights <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> freedoms are guaranteed in the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> for instance, asserts that the State shall support<br />
oppressed people throughout the world waging a just struggle against imperialism or racism.<br />
In 1991/92 some 250,000 Rohinga people from Myanmar sought refuge in Bangladesh. They were given prima<br />
facie refugee status <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> provided with protecti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> assistance, al<strong>on</strong>g with their children with the support of<br />
United Nati<strong>on</strong>s High Commissi<strong>on</strong> for Refugees (UNHCR). However, am<strong>on</strong>g other supports, birth registrati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
Rohingya refugee children is being properly d<strong>on</strong>e.<br />
Biharies are the n<strong>on</strong>-Bengali populati<strong>on</strong>, most of them opted for Pakistan <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> migrated from the Indian state of<br />
Bihar to the former East Pakistan before <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> after independence of India <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Pakistan. On the emergence of<br />
Bangladesh following the War of Independence in 1971, the Urdu speaking Biharies again opted for Pakistan.<br />
The children of the 'Biharies' represent the largest group of stateless children in Bangladesh.<br />
4.4 Freedom of expressi<strong>on</strong><br />
The press in Bangladesh is very large, active <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> keen <strong>on</strong> development issues. Bangladesh enjoys a<br />
reas<strong>on</strong>ably free print media with hundreds of daily <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> weekly publicati<strong>on</strong>s providing a forum for wide range of<br />
views. Press here also enjoys a str<strong>on</strong>g lobbying role <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> has the potential to play an important part in setting<br />
the agenda for development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> political issues. The Bangladesh press is very supportive to children's causes<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> devotes c<strong>on</strong>siderable space <strong>on</strong> reporting child rights <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> development issues. An initiative called Shishu<br />
Prakash, a children's news agency which empowers 640 young reporters through out the country.<br />
Apart from government-owned Radio (Bangladesh Betar) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Bangladesh Televisi<strong>on</strong> (BTV) there exist private<br />
radio <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> satellite channels. Around 10 private TV channels <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 4 radio stati<strong>on</strong>s (FM b<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>) are in operati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
including a good number of internati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>on</strong>es. Radio is still very popular in rural areas <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> is probably the <strong>on</strong>ly<br />
medium that reaches the grass root people in times of emergency <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> disasters. Bangladesh Betar has 10<br />
stati<strong>on</strong>s nati<strong>on</strong>wide. BTV is the state owned channel <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> therefore pursues the government development<br />
policies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> programmes. BTV still has the largest audience in Bangladesh estimated at more than 50 percent.<br />
BTV telecasts programmes <strong>on</strong> rights of children in collaborati<strong>on</strong> with different agencies. BTV airs 25-minute<br />
daily programmes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 3 to 5 minutes of public service spots <strong>on</strong> priority messages for children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> women. BTV<br />
programmes have increased child participati<strong>on</strong>. BTV produced public service spot <strong>on</strong> Vitamin A Plus <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> also<br />
airs regularly Meena episodes.<br />
In recent years UNICEF, ILO, USAID <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> organizati<strong>on</strong>s working with children have taken initiatives to strengthen<br />
partnership with private satellite channels in the country, covering, am<strong>on</strong>g others, the issues of child labour, child<br />
rights, birth registrati<strong>on</strong>, girls' educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> others. A UNICEF sp<strong>on</strong>sored documentary produced by ATN<br />
38
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Bangla w<strong>on</strong> the prestigious Emmy Award in 2004. Also efforts are underway to launch a Children Televisi<strong>on</strong><br />
Foundati<strong>on</strong> to build instituti<strong>on</strong>al capacity for high quality children's programming <strong>on</strong> televisi<strong>on</strong> channels.<br />
DFP produced a 25-minute film combining various health messages <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> also developed another film <strong>on</strong> arsenic<br />
mitigati<strong>on</strong>. BSS is also producing features <strong>on</strong> development issues relating to children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> women. The PID gave<br />
carto<strong>on</strong>s a new dimensi<strong>on</strong> by incorporating important messages <strong>on</strong> child marriage.<br />
Both print <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> electr<strong>on</strong>ic media ventured out of the c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>al studio-based formats towards communitybased,<br />
participatory <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> interactive programmes to promote children's participati<strong>on</strong> in media. Internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Children's Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) is observed regularly <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> feature programmes produced by children in<br />
Bangladesh Televisi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Bangladesh Betar (radio). An innovative launch of the State of the World's Children<br />
2003 report was marked by stimulating intergenerati<strong>on</strong>al dialogue <strong>on</strong> the importance of children's participati<strong>on</strong><br />
in decisi<strong>on</strong>s that affect their life. The launch brought adult <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children together in a panel discussi<strong>on</strong> in which<br />
adolescents shared their practical experiences from being involved in child-centred initiatives.<br />
Interacti<strong>on</strong> with children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> young people <strong>on</strong> issues like poor sanitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> HIV&.AIDS helped to get their<br />
views <strong>on</strong> important subjects. BTV gives children opportunity to articulate their views <strong>on</strong> issues that have a direct<br />
impact <strong>on</strong> their lives. Some private satellite televisi<strong>on</strong> channels, telecast programmes produced by young<br />
children with technical support of the channels. However, all the channels regularly air children's programmes.<br />
4.5 Freedom of thought, c<strong>on</strong>science <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> religi<strong>on</strong><br />
Citizens' rights to freedom of thought <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>science are guaranteed in the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> also respected in practice.<br />
The fundamental right of citizens to profess <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> practise any religi<strong>on</strong>, subject to law, public order <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> morality,<br />
is recognized by the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>. The C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> reflects the existence of <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a tolerance towards different<br />
religi<strong>on</strong>s in the country. The Muslims c<strong>on</strong>stitute the majority populati<strong>on</strong> in the country. The c<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> ensures<br />
the right to practice rituals of all religi<strong>on</strong>s in peace <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> harm<strong>on</strong>y.<br />
Pursuant to the spirit of the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> there is a provisi<strong>on</strong> that exempts students from the obligati<strong>on</strong> to receive<br />
religious instructi<strong>on</strong> or attend or take part in any religious cerem<strong>on</strong>y or worship that relates to a religi<strong>on</strong> other<br />
than their own. The Government's policy <strong>on</strong> this issue is to arrange separate religious studies classes for<br />
children from different religi<strong>on</strong>s in primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sec<strong>on</strong>dary schools. Teachers' training includes curriculum of all<br />
four major religi<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
The sanctity of all religi<strong>on</strong>s (including places of worship, sacred objects <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> religious cerem<strong>on</strong>ies) is preserved<br />
under a series of provisi<strong>on</strong>s in the Penal Code which impose criminal sancti<strong>on</strong>s for insulting the religi<strong>on</strong> or<br />
wounding/outraging the religious feelings of any community through certain specified acts.<br />
4.6 Freedom of associati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> peaceful assembly<br />
Bangladesh has a large number of children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> youth organizati<strong>on</strong>s. They are located throughout the country,<br />
the largest having as many as 500 branches. Many children's organizati<strong>on</strong>s pursue programmes aimed at<br />
promoting the all-round development of children, while others have more specialized aims <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> activities. The<br />
members of these organizati<strong>on</strong>s tend to come from families of higher socio-ec<strong>on</strong>omic status. NGOs provide<br />
equivalent opportunities for many disadvantaged children.<br />
39
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Table 4.1: Important Children Associati<strong>on</strong>s/Organizati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Name of the organizati<strong>on</strong><br />
Year<br />
Established<br />
Children Involved<br />
(#)<br />
Activities<br />
Child Brigade<br />
1995<br />
Regular-70 Filed<br />
member: 500- 600<br />
Dhaka city based Protecti<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
children, Educati<strong>on</strong>, Health, Child led<br />
advocacy, Working children movement.<br />
ICHCHEY media<br />
2003<br />
Regular: 80 Field<br />
member: 800 to 900<br />
Dhaka <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Chittag<strong>on</strong>g based<br />
Producing film <strong>on</strong> children issue,<br />
community show <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> dialogue, Publish<br />
m<strong>on</strong>thly news paper, Theatre for<br />
Development, Child led advocacy, Web<br />
page development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> communicati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
facilitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> m<strong>on</strong>itoring violence<br />
against children<br />
Bhorer Alo<br />
2005<br />
Regular: 50<br />
Filed member 100<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Advocacy through theatre<br />
(Dhaka City Based)<br />
Shishu Parishad<br />
1990<br />
Regular- 2220 Filed<br />
member 67,500<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Children Task<br />
Force<br />
2004<br />
3904<br />
Child journalist group<br />
2005<br />
145<br />
Child parliament group<br />
2004<br />
128<br />
Working Children forum<br />
2005<br />
2738<br />
Working for the better working<br />
envir<strong>on</strong>ment in workplaces<br />
Community based children<br />
organizati<strong>on</strong> (Child Clubs)<br />
1999<br />
2006<br />
Total number of<br />
children<br />
organizati<strong>on</strong> is 167<br />
Total member is<br />
39299<br />
M<strong>on</strong>itoring <strong>CRC</strong>, Child led advocacy at<br />
community level, Organise TfD, Working<br />
children movement (Dhaka, Chittag<strong>on</strong>g,<br />
Rajshahi, Netrok<strong>on</strong>a, Kurigram)<br />
Children Councils-<br />
Three councils of<br />
5+7+8 members<br />
elected by the<br />
children living in the<br />
centres<br />
T<strong>on</strong>gi, K<strong>on</strong>abari <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Jessore<br />
(Representative council of the children in<br />
KUKs)<br />
Source: Save the Children Alliance<br />
40
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Two major Networks of NGOs in the country also facilitate organizing children through their partners <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
affiliated organizati<strong>on</strong>s involved in promoting child rights <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> their welfare. There are several similar<br />
organizati<strong>on</strong>s involved in promoting children's associati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> their rights, organize children rally, socio-cultural<br />
activities, observing special day.<br />
During the period 2001-2005, a UNICEF-supported project increased the life choices of 50,000 adolescent girls<br />
through the creati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> empowerment of adolescent girls' groups. Some group members also received<br />
livelihood training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> most received training to act as peer educators <strong>on</strong> discriminatory practices, family life<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> post-literacy training. The group members participated actively in social processes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> raised<br />
issues such as early marriage, gender-violence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> discriminati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
4.7 Protecti<strong>on</strong> of privacy<br />
Children come into c<strong>on</strong>tact with the law for a variety of reas<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> are susceptible to victimisati<strong>on</strong> by the legal<br />
process <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> its enforcement agencies. This happens more frequently in case of street children.<br />
The Children Act, 1974 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> The Children Rules, 1976 have been enacted <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> made for the protecti<strong>on</strong> of<br />
children who come into c<strong>on</strong>tact with the law as well as to protect other children. Some provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the Act are<br />
totally in line with <strong>CRC</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Internati<strong>on</strong>al st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard <strong>on</strong> juvenile justice, but some are not. The Vagrancy Act, 1943<br />
is intended to be used for the benefits of the street children. However, there have been allegati<strong>on</strong>s that<br />
homeless <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> street children, instead of being protected, are rounded up by the police <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> detained with adult<br />
criminals. The practice of taking vagrant <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> street children into custody essentially criminalises impoverished<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vulnerable children. The Government is in the process of reviewing the Vagrancy Act, 1943 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Children<br />
Act, 1974 for possible amendments, which will make it more progressive <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> effective for the children.<br />
Child witnesses to crime experience several vulnerabilities, including intense <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> unsupervised interrogati<strong>on</strong><br />
by the police. A judge or magistrate may also place women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children victims to protective custody, in<br />
a jail or state instituti<strong>on</strong>. This power is often exercised with children who have been arrested as `vagrants',<br />
rape <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sexual assault victims, those rescued from brothels <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> traffickers, ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ed children, or those who<br />
have eloped.<br />
The legal age of criminal resp<strong>on</strong>sibility is a major problem in the administrati<strong>on</strong> of juvenile justice. The <strong>CRC</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the Beijing Rules require states to establish a minimum age, below which children cannot be held criminally<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>sible. In Bangladesh, the minimum age is now <strong>on</strong>ly nine years. The absence of appropriate <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> effective<br />
birth registrati<strong>on</strong> system also presents problems in proving a child's age, which limits efforts to ensure their<br />
protecti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> enforce their rights. It is recognized that law enforcement <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> legislative authorities will require<br />
becoming more child-friendly.<br />
<strong>CRC</strong> requires State Parties to guarantee the right to privacy of children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to prosecute those who violate this<br />
right. While this right is for all children, it is particularly important for children who are vulnerable, such as<br />
children involved with the law. In Bangladesh, though reduced over the years through government initiatives <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
NGO advocacy programmes, however, at times there are media reports with address <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> photograph of the<br />
child victims.<br />
4.8 Access to appropriate informati<strong>on</strong><br />
In the NPA, 2005-2010, <strong>on</strong>e of the important cross-cutting themes is "providing children with the informati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
skills they need to make informed choices <strong>on</strong> their well-being <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> development". This would "ensure that<br />
children have access to informati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> skills development opportunities inside <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> outside of school". Not <strong>on</strong>ly<br />
41
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
there are a shortage of appropriate informati<strong>on</strong>, the access to informati<strong>on</strong> is generally low in the country,<br />
significantly low to the poorer <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> marginalized people, children in particular. However, some progress has been<br />
achieved in the recent years following implementati<strong>on</strong> of a host of activities/programmes.<br />
Bangladesh Betar (Radio) broadcasts regular programmes for children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> women. Messages in the forms of<br />
jingles, s<strong>on</strong>gs, short-dramas <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> discussi<strong>on</strong>s are disseminated during special events such as the World TB Day,<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Nutriti<strong>on</strong> Week, Safe Motherhood Day, Breastfeeding Week, Meena Day <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>CRC</strong> Week. It also carries<br />
public service spots <strong>on</strong> health, hygiene, educati<strong>on</strong>, social advancement related messages.<br />
The DMC c<strong>on</strong>tinues to work in the field. It has been using community-based mobilisati<strong>on</strong> activities like courtyard<br />
meetings, films <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> cultural shows <strong>on</strong> birth registrati<strong>on</strong>, arsenic mitigati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> EPI.<br />
PIB c<strong>on</strong>tinues to train print media journalists <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> gear up feature service to promote rights-based reporting <strong>on</strong><br />
children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> women issues.<br />
DFP produced two short films <strong>on</strong> birth registrati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> arsenic c<strong>on</strong>taminati<strong>on</strong> of water, to help raise awareness<br />
<strong>on</strong> these two important development issues.<br />
PID took lead in organising press briefings during a regi<strong>on</strong>al c<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> sanitati<strong>on</strong> to facilitate media's active<br />
involvement. It published a book with compilati<strong>on</strong> of joint PID-UNCEF features in nati<strong>on</strong>al dailies. PID also gave<br />
carto<strong>on</strong>s a new dimensi<strong>on</strong> by incorporating important messages <strong>on</strong> child marriage. NIMCO c<strong>on</strong>tinued its training<br />
activities <strong>on</strong> various child rights issues for electr<strong>on</strong>ic media pers<strong>on</strong>nel.<br />
The issue of HIV&AIDS received wider media attenti<strong>on</strong> in recent years. Two roundtables <strong>on</strong> HIV&AIDS<br />
preventi<strong>on</strong> were arranged with two leading daily newspapers. The roundtables culminated in the publicati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
<strong>on</strong>e full-page spread each by both papers <strong>on</strong> World AIDS Day featuring salient points of the discussi<strong>on</strong>. Another<br />
roundtable with a leading daily newspaper was c<strong>on</strong>ducted <strong>on</strong> indoor air polluti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Bangladesh launched a big campaign relating to South Asian C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> Sanitati<strong>on</strong> (SACOSAN) in 2004.<br />
Media support included workshops, briefing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> follow-up resulting in overwhelming media coverage <strong>on</strong> this<br />
regi<strong>on</strong>al event that brought together nine South Asian countries.<br />
The workshop <strong>on</strong> Early Childhood Development (ECD) brought young journalists from various media to workout<br />
innovative <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> creative strategies for promoti<strong>on</strong> of ECD. Another workshop <strong>on</strong> Meena Initiative brought useful<br />
suggesti<strong>on</strong>s from experts <strong>on</strong> the field for promoti<strong>on</strong> of new <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> emerging messages <strong>on</strong> child development issues.<br />
The State of the World's Children <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> 2006 was launched nati<strong>on</strong>wide. The launch was d<strong>on</strong>e in a festive<br />
manner participated by 150 children. Children representing the theme of the report, the invisible <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
excluded shared their real life experience at the event.<br />
There are currently 68 Government public libraries in Bangladesh <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> hundreds of n<strong>on</strong>-government public<br />
libraries. The Government libraries are located in all districts <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> divisi<strong>on</strong>al head quarters. The Nati<strong>on</strong>al Public<br />
Library <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Chittag<strong>on</strong>g Divisi<strong>on</strong>al Public Library have separate children's secti<strong>on</strong>s; other Government Public<br />
Libraries have a children's corner within the main reading room. Community libraries exist in cities <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> towns<br />
around the country. Children's corners have been established in 25 community development libraries around<br />
the country under a UNICEF-supported pilot project.<br />
A leading book-reading <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> library focused NGO has set up a central library at Dhaka <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 28 mobile Library<br />
Units across 42 districts. In enrolling readers, children are given priority in these mobile libraries.<br />
In Bangladesh, it should be menti<strong>on</strong>ed, regulati<strong>on</strong> exists in relati<strong>on</strong> to publicati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> censorship <strong>on</strong> films for<br />
protecting the citizens against harmful informati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> materials. Comm<strong>on</strong> grounds for censoring or banning<br />
42
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
films <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> publicati<strong>on</strong>s include obscenity <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> offence to religious sentiment. There is no restricti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> access to<br />
the Internet. Satellite Televisi<strong>on</strong> Channels are operating in the country with minimum regulati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
4.9 The right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel,<br />
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,<br />
including corporal punishment<br />
The Penal Code, 1860 c<strong>on</strong>tains a number of different secti<strong>on</strong>s which protect individuals against torture <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> guarantees protecti<strong>on</strong> of all<br />
citizens against torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment. Children are however,<br />
subjected to torture <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> physical punishment. Child beating is practiced to discipline children in the family,<br />
schools, work place <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> religious instituti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in village salish (mediati<strong>on</strong>). However this is being decreased<br />
since 2000 as reflected in C<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> Meetings <strong>on</strong> this <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
The Government is fully aware of the problem <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> taking necessary measures through different means to<br />
overcome the situati<strong>on</strong>. Motivati<strong>on</strong>al training is provided to teachers, police, judges <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> others c<strong>on</strong>cerned.<br />
Awareness creati<strong>on</strong> programme with the support of NGOs for parents/guardians <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> communities are also<br />
undertaken.<br />
Rape <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sexual assaults are committed against young women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> girls. Issues related to rape <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sexual<br />
assault are the difficulties of arranging a timely medical examinati<strong>on</strong>, the producti<strong>on</strong> of witnesses, receiving<br />
community support, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> dealing with social stigma, which in turn discourages reporting of the crime.<br />
Bangladesh Health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Injury Survey (BHIS), 2003 reveals that suicide is a problem in the country, particularly<br />
for children ages 15 to 17.<br />
One particular form of violence is acid attacks which have traumatic c<strong>on</strong>sequences, scarring the victims<br />
physically <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> damaging psychologically <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> socially for life. Acid attacks are mainly a crime against children<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> young women, although more recently, boys <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> young men have also been targets of this crime. The<br />
overwhelming majority of the victims are young women. The enactment of The Acid C<strong>on</strong>trol Act, 2002 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> The<br />
Acid Crimes Preventi<strong>on</strong> Act, 2002 helps deal with the issue. The One-Stop-Crisis Centres in Dhaka <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other<br />
divisi<strong>on</strong>al head quarters have been introduced together with a Hotline System for women vulnerable to violence.<br />
Some NGOs have undertaken programmes <strong>on</strong> preventi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> post attack services for the victims <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> also<br />
awareness building activities. One nati<strong>on</strong>al daily is also working for the purpose throughout the country with<br />
special focus <strong>on</strong> awareness creati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> supporting the victims towards social integrati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
There have been some positive outcomes in the juvenile justice area. For instance, training materials <strong>on</strong> juvenile<br />
justice were prepared <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> translated from English to Bangla, which include the H<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Book for Police <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Bench<br />
Books for Judges <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Magistrates <strong>on</strong> Children in c<strong>on</strong>tact with the Juvenile Justice System. Moreover, the<br />
internati<strong>on</strong>al instruments <strong>on</strong> juvenile justice <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> n<strong>on</strong> custodial measures, also translated from English to Bangla,<br />
have been printed for wider disseminati<strong>on</strong>. All these materials <strong>on</strong> juvenile justice are intended to be used for<br />
building capacity of the key stakeholders in juvenile justice.<br />
Several projects deal with issues, such as capacity building of training institutes for the police, magistrates <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
judges <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>cerned ministries. Training workshops <strong>on</strong> modern trends in juvenile justice are often organized<br />
for the judges, magistrates, police lawyers <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other c<strong>on</strong>cern pers<strong>on</strong>s. With government support several NGOs<br />
are working to mitigate local disputes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> modernizing Salish system. This results in decrease in torture <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in the rural communities.<br />
43
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
V.<br />
FAMILY<br />
ENVIRONMENT<br />
AND<br />
ALTERNATIVE CARE<br />
44
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
5.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
The State Party has significantly enhanced the provisi<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> capacity of shelter, orphanage, baby home, etc<br />
to accommodate more children deprived of family envir<strong>on</strong>ment. In KUK, large number children in c<strong>on</strong>flict with<br />
the law are housed. There is a plan to increase the number <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to improve the envir<strong>on</strong>ment of the existing<br />
KUKs. An initiative has been taken for assessment of children in instituti<strong>on</strong>s in order to develop minimum care<br />
st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ards <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> alternative care for the children without parental care.<br />
The State Party has not yet established a legal provisi<strong>on</strong> for domestic <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> internati<strong>on</strong>al adopti<strong>on</strong> of children.<br />
Also it has not c<strong>on</strong>sidered being a party to the1993 Hague C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Protecti<strong>on</strong> of Children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Cooperati<strong>on</strong> in respect of Inter-country adopti<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) took a leading role in repatriati<strong>on</strong> of children who worked as camel jockeys<br />
in Middle East. With the support of UNICEF <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> some NGOs, the Government has repatriated over 200 children<br />
formerly involved in camel racing in UAE. Of them, almost all were reintegrated in their families, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> others are<br />
in the process of being rehabilitated. With the assistance of UAE Government, financial assistances are being<br />
provided. MoHA is extending this initiative to further support to the families of these children to strengthen their<br />
social reintegrati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> simultaneously a child protecti<strong>on</strong> mechanism will be developed in 65 Upazilas where<br />
the children were reintegrated.<br />
Presently a process of amendment of the Children Act, 1974 is <strong>on</strong>. The proposed amendment will review the<br />
KUK issues also. Under Suppressi<strong>on</strong> of Violence against Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children Act, 2000 (as amended in 2003),<br />
42 Special Tribunals have been established in 33 districts for trying cases <strong>on</strong>ly relating to violence against<br />
women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children including trafficking. This initiative was taken to facilitate the quick disposal of cases related<br />
to violence against women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children.<br />
Large-scale awareness campaigns are underway by televisi<strong>on</strong> drama, jingles, street theatre, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other types of<br />
mass awareness methods to promote behavioural change <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> make stakeholders aware about <strong>CRC</strong> including<br />
child protecti<strong>on</strong>, care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> related issues.<br />
The Government is modernizing the police administrati<strong>on</strong> through 'model thana (police stati<strong>on</strong>) development'<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cept in making the police people-friendly. Based <strong>on</strong> the experiences, the c<strong>on</strong>cept will be replicated<br />
throughout the country. It is believed that the children issues will be addressed with special care under the<br />
initiative.<br />
The State Party with support from UNICEF is commencing initiatives to strengthen Department of Social<br />
Services through training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> motivati<strong>on</strong> of relevant officials <strong>on</strong> reintegrati<strong>on</strong> methodologies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> proactive social<br />
work c<strong>on</strong>cept. Besides, capacity development of staff of KUK <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vagrant homes <strong>on</strong> child-friendly behaviour is<br />
under way.<br />
Through the Early Childhood Development Project, the State Party is trying to enhance the caregivers'<br />
(parents/guardians) knowledge <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> skills towards optimal development of their children.<br />
45
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
5.2 Parental guidance<br />
In Bangladesh, although children mostly live with their parents, about 10per cent of households are headed by<br />
women meaning that children bel<strong>on</strong>ging to mothers/women as heads of the households, permanently or<br />
temporarily, are deprived of care from fathers.<br />
As per MICS 2006, 5.8 percent of the children below 18 years have either <strong>on</strong>e parent alive or both parents dead.<br />
Again, 5.6 percent of the children are not living with their parents. It has been found that double orphans are<br />
disadvantaged compared to the n<strong>on</strong>-orphaned children in terms of school attendance.<br />
However, the same survey shows that a big percentage of women are married at an early age. The data show<br />
that nati<strong>on</strong>ally, about 33 percent of girls aged below 15 years <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 74 percent below 18 years are married. In<br />
rural areas, the rate was 78.4 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in urban areas 65.4 percent. Am<strong>on</strong>g the tribal populati<strong>on</strong>, the rate of<br />
child marriage is somewhat low (44 percent).<br />
Informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> activities that support early learning was collected in the MICS 2006. These included the<br />
involvement of adults with children in the following activities: reading books or looking at picture books, telling<br />
stories, singing s<strong>on</strong>gs, taking children outside the home, compound or yard, playing with children, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> spending<br />
time with children naming, counting, or drawing things.<br />
The survey shows that for almost half (47.5 percent) of under-five children, an adult engaged in more than four<br />
activities that promote learning <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> school readiness during the 3 days preceding the survey. The average<br />
number of activities that adults engaged with children was 3.4. The data also indicates that the father's<br />
involvement in such activities was quite high. Father's involvement with <strong>on</strong>e or more activities was 50.3 percent.<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>ally, 8.4 percent of children were living in a household without their natural fathers. There is no gender<br />
differentials in terms of adult activities with children as well as fathers engaged in activities with children. Larger<br />
proporti<strong>on</strong>s of adults engaged in learning <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> school readiness activities with children in urban areas (56.4<br />
percent) than in rural areas (44.3 percent). There is a positive correlati<strong>on</strong> between educati<strong>on</strong>al levels of parents<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> care provided to children.<br />
5.3 Parental resp<strong>on</strong>sibilities<br />
Under the ECD project, parents were supported in their child-rearing resp<strong>on</strong>sibilities through different<br />
mechanisms such as orientati<strong>on</strong> of field level health workers, teachers <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs. Mass media communicati<strong>on</strong><br />
activities enhanced caregivers' knowledge <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> skills to enable them to support the optimal development of the<br />
children. A similar new project with an added focus <strong>on</strong> instituti<strong>on</strong>al learning opportunities has recently been<br />
launched.<br />
Early marriage takes place mostly due to irresp<strong>on</strong>sible behaviour of parents. The Government has launched a<br />
campaign to stop early marriage. The interventi<strong>on</strong>s include advocacy, campaign <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> publicity through electr<strong>on</strong>ic<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> print media. For example, Ministry of Informati<strong>on</strong> has produced <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> telecasted 20 short dramas <strong>on</strong> early<br />
marriage. A number of NGOs are also working against early marriage <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> dowry.<br />
The Government has taken an initiative with technical <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> financial support from UNICEF for capacity building<br />
of Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> relevant NGO officials <strong>on</strong> reintegrati<strong>on</strong> methodologies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> proactive social work. This aims<br />
at family <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> community based social support mechanisms with a view to strengthening social work system.<br />
Besides, capacity development of staff <strong>on</strong> child-friendly behaviour is under way to improve situati<strong>on</strong> in child<br />
development centres <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vagrant homes.<br />
46
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
5.4 Separati<strong>on</strong> from parents<br />
As per Populati<strong>on</strong> Census, 2001, about <strong>on</strong>e-tenth of the households in Bangladesh are headed by women. This<br />
is because of death of father, divorce <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> separati<strong>on</strong> or ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ment by their fathers. As has been found from<br />
MICS 2006, about 6 percent of the children have either <strong>on</strong>e or both parents dead. This forces children to l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
in an orphanage, safe custody, in a relative's house, Government or NGO homes, school hostels, or if from a<br />
poor family, often <strong>on</strong> a street or in the worst case in a brothel. These children are forced to take up work for their<br />
own survival <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> their families. As per Children's Opini<strong>on</strong> Poll, 2005, 12.7 percent were working children. Of<br />
them, 23 percent worked as an urban worker (c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>, transport, paper collector etc.) followed by street<br />
vendor (22 percent), rural agricultural worker (19 percent), domestic helper (8 percent) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> hotel-boy (6<br />
percent). More than half of the working-children surveyed were working for at least <strong>on</strong>e year. About <strong>on</strong>e-thirds<br />
of these children did not have the opportunity to visit their parents as per their need or desire.<br />
5.5 Family reunificati<strong>on</strong><br />
The Government has repatriated more than 200 children who were formerly involved in camel racing in UAE<br />
with support from UNICEF <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> some NGOs, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> reintegrated them. UNICEF Bangladesh provided technical,<br />
advisory <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> financial support to this process. This is <strong>on</strong>e of the major achievements of the State Party during<br />
2005. The Government, NGOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> UNICEF remain committed to their full rehabilitati<strong>on</strong>. To achieve their full<br />
rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> into society, Community Care Committee (CCC) was established. All repatriated children have<br />
been provided with medical care, psycho-social, legal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> financial supports.<br />
5.6 Recovery of maintenance for the child<br />
There is a hierarchy of financial resp<strong>on</strong>sibility for children which is c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>al <strong>on</strong> the pers<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>cerned having<br />
sufficient means: the father bears primary resp<strong>on</strong>sibility for maintenance, followed by the paternal gr<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>father.<br />
Liability for maintenance is unaffected by custody arrangements. Acti<strong>on</strong> can be taken under the Code of Criminal<br />
Procedure, 1898 to recover proper maintenance against a father (with sufficient means) who fails to maintain<br />
his legitimate <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> illegitimate children. As per the Family Courts Ordinance, 1985 parents are liable to maintain<br />
their s<strong>on</strong>s until they reach puberty (<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> bey<strong>on</strong>d if they are sick or disabled) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> their daughters until marriage.<br />
The Suppressi<strong>on</strong> of Violence against Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children Act, 2000 (as amended in 2003) provides imposing<br />
<strong>on</strong> the father of a child born as a result of rape, resp<strong>on</strong>sibility for maintaining the child. This obligati<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>tinues<br />
for boys until the age of 21 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> for girls until marriage. Where the child suffers from some kind of disability, the<br />
duty to maintain c<strong>on</strong>tinues until this child is able to maintain himself/herself. However, the full benefit of the<br />
provisi<strong>on</strong> cannot be derived by the children due to some socio-cultural factors.<br />
5.7 Children deprived of a family envir<strong>on</strong>ment<br />
In Bangladesh, 5.6 percent of the children are not living with their parents. Of them, 2.9 percent are males <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
8.3 percent are females. In <strong>on</strong>e southern district, the lowest percentage of children (72.1 percent) is living with<br />
both their parents. In this district, 19.4 percent of children live with their mother although father is alive. This may<br />
happen due to out-migrati<strong>on</strong> of fathers at great numbers for ec<strong>on</strong>omic reas<strong>on</strong>s. Again, 0.4 percent of children<br />
aged 10-14 have lost both parents. Am<strong>on</strong>g those 66 percent are currently attending school. Am<strong>on</strong>g the children<br />
aged 10-14 who have not lost any parent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> who live with at least <strong>on</strong>e parent, 87.9 percent are attending<br />
school (MICS 2006).<br />
47
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> destitute children: Destitute children having no home or family are particularly susceptible to<br />
violence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> exploitati<strong>on</strong>. Often ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ed at birth, these children have little opti<strong>on</strong> but to live off the streets<br />
where they are compelled to live <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> work in exploitative c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s. Children born out of wedlock or born to<br />
rape victims are more likely to suffer ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ment than others. While social <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> religious taboos compel young<br />
unmarried mothers to discard their children, deteriorating ec<strong>on</strong>omic c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s are increasingly forcing families<br />
to ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong> their children. Due to divorce or subsequent marriage of their parents or polygamy, children are also<br />
ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ed. Children who lose their parents through death or deserti<strong>on</strong> experience a similar plight. Having no<br />
opti<strong>on</strong> these children adopt sordid lifestyles <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> resort to different anti-social activities. These children live <strong>on</strong><br />
the streets, railway <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> bus stati<strong>on</strong>s, shopping centres, parks <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other places. Abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> exploitati<strong>on</strong> by adults<br />
is an everyday feature for these children.<br />
Orphaned children: An orphan is defined by the Orphanages <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Widows Home Act, 1944 as a boy or girl<br />
under 18 years of age who lost his/her father or has been ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ed by his/her parents or guardians.<br />
Accordingly, all the children admitted into orphanages may not be totally parentless in the strict sense of the<br />
term. There is no reliable statistics <strong>on</strong> orphans <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> orphanages. The registered orphanages provide services to<br />
about 50,000 orphans <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ed children. This is indeed a very small proporti<strong>on</strong> compared to the<br />
estimated number of orphans. Devoid of parental support <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> care orphans are vulnerable to hazardous child<br />
labour, HIV, trafficking, physical <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sexual exploitati<strong>on</strong>. In case of orphaned girls, the risks of early marriage,<br />
aborti<strong>on</strong>, sexual exploitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other forms of violence are high.<br />
Child victims of natural calamities: Bangladesh has l<strong>on</strong>g been associated with extreme vulnerability to<br />
natural disaster. Natural disasters have their roots in the nature of its terrain, the physical geographic features,<br />
its l<strong>on</strong>g coastline <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the tropical climate. Flood is a regular phenomen<strong>on</strong> in the country with severe flooding<br />
occurring every five to ten years.<br />
Disaster causes loss of assets, physical infrastructure, lives of human being <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> animals, am<strong>on</strong>g others.<br />
Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children are worst sufferers of disasters. Acute poverty, recurrent natural calamities (such as river<br />
erosi<strong>on</strong>, flood <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> cycl<strong>on</strong>e) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other crisis situati<strong>on</strong>s often lead to displacement of child populati<strong>on</strong>s in huge<br />
numbers. Many of them ultimately find themselves catapulted from the relatively serene rural surroundings to<br />
the more complex urban scenario where they are forced to live <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> work in adverse c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s. However, due<br />
to significant investment in disaster preparedness including the development of early warning system <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
creati<strong>on</strong> of wide network of flood <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> cycl<strong>on</strong>e shelters, there has been a significant decrease in the loss of lives<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> property lost each year. However, natural disasters are still resp<strong>on</strong>sible for significant property losses with<br />
grave c<strong>on</strong>sequences for the poor. Areas pr<strong>on</strong>e to natural disasters are found to have higher incidence of<br />
poverty. In 2004, Bangladesh experienced a most devastating flood since 1998, though in terms of death 1988<br />
flood was most damaging. Out of 64 districts of the country, 42 districts were affected by flood (Table-5.1). About<br />
<strong>on</strong>e-fourth of the populati<strong>on</strong> of the country were affected.<br />
Table 5.1: Comparis<strong>on</strong> of flood damage<br />
Indicators 1988 1998 2004<br />
Inundated area (%) 61 68 40-60<br />
Flood durati<strong>on</strong> (days) 23 72 21<br />
Pers<strong>on</strong>s affected (milli<strong>on</strong>) 45 31 30<br />
Total deaths (Pers<strong>on</strong>s) 2,335 918 876<br />
Source: UN CCA, 2005<br />
48
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
The Ministry of Food <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Disaster Management has undertaken a set of measures to manage the disasters in<br />
an effective manner. Most important <strong>on</strong>es are adopting a Disaster Management Policy, a five-year Strategic<br />
Plan for the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme, CDMP (2004-2008), supported by<br />
development partners like UNDP, EC <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> DFID. In additi<strong>on</strong> to Government, NGOs/CBOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> communities also<br />
actively participate in disaster preparedness, management <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> post-disaster (rehabilitati<strong>on</strong>) activities.<br />
Children with disabilities: No comprehensive survey <strong>on</strong> disability has so far been c<strong>on</strong>ducted in Bangladesh.<br />
Findings of different partial surveys or supplementary informati<strong>on</strong> of other surveys indicate a range of 10-18<br />
percent Pers<strong>on</strong>s with Disability (PWDs) in Bangladesh<br />
Children with disabilities are subjected to various discriminatory practices from the moment of their birth.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>sidered a social <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ec<strong>on</strong>omic encumbrance, children with disabilities experience prejudicial treatment in<br />
terms of family entitlements, learning opportunities, health services <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> equal opportunities to develop individual<br />
capacities. Girls are generally the worst suffers. Government has undertaken various measures to address the<br />
problems of pers<strong>on</strong>s/children with disabilities, in some cases in collaborati<strong>on</strong> with NGOs/CBOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
development partners.<br />
5.8 Adopti<strong>on</strong><br />
In Bangladesh no civil law regarding adopti<strong>on</strong> exists. Majority populati<strong>on</strong> of Bangladesh are Muslim <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> most<br />
of their family affairs are guided by Muslim pers<strong>on</strong>al law. The Muslim Law in general does not allow adopti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
but Hindu Law as well as Christian <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Buddhist traditi<strong>on</strong>s do. However, in particular Hindu law c<strong>on</strong>tains many<br />
restricti<strong>on</strong>s that are not compatible with the <strong>CRC</strong>. Pers<strong>on</strong>s, who cannot adopt, may take a child under his or her<br />
guardianship as per the Guardians <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Wards Act, 1890. Only a citizen of Bangladesh can be declared a<br />
guardian of a Bangladeshi "minor". The fact that adopti<strong>on</strong> is not permitted under Islamic law does not exclude<br />
the possibility of a child being fostered by a Muslim family. While Islam does not recognize adopti<strong>on</strong>, it does<br />
allow an individual to take charge of a child <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> provide for his or her maintenance (Kafala). The child fostered<br />
enjoys no inheritance right.<br />
Alternative care is provided by the Government in the following facilities, which are run by the Ministry of Social<br />
Welfare:<br />
85 orphanages (capacity 10,300 children)<br />
6 Baby Homes, <strong>on</strong>e each in Divisi<strong>on</strong>al HQs (capacity 550 children) for ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ed children aged 1 to 5<br />
years (3 developed with capacity of 300 in 2003).<br />
3 Kishore Unnayan Kendra, KUK (Adolescent Development Centres) with the total capacity of 500 (<strong>on</strong>e<br />
developed with 150-capacity in 2002).<br />
6 Destitute <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Vagrant Centre (1,900 children capacity)<br />
3 Shishu Paribar (child family) in 3 hill districts (<strong>on</strong>e developed during the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing period)<br />
6 Safe Homes with 400 capacity (all developed in 2003 to 2006)<br />
2 homes (capacity 500 children) for the training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> of destitute children (further home<br />
planned which will accommodate an additi<strong>on</strong>al 500 children).<br />
Efforts are being made to transform orphanages into a more family-like envir<strong>on</strong>ment following the model<br />
established by the NGO-run SOS Children's Villages. Twenty-six orphanages have initially been selected under<br />
this initiative. Under the Budget of Fiscal 2007/08, the provisi<strong>on</strong> of subsistence allowance of children of<br />
49
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
orphanages <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> safe home etc has been further enhanced. The MoSW, as menti<strong>on</strong>ed earlier, has been<br />
implementing a project to improve the situati<strong>on</strong> of street children through its Appropriate Resources for<br />
Improving Street Children's Envir<strong>on</strong>ment (ARISE) project. Presently another project called PCAR supported by<br />
UNICEF with some new focuses has been launched.<br />
5.9 Illicit transfer <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> n<strong>on</strong>-return<br />
Despite intermarriage between Bangladeshi nati<strong>on</strong>als <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nati<strong>on</strong>als of other countries <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the existence of<br />
large Bangladeshi communities in a number of countries outside Bangladesh, the country in rare occasi<strong>on</strong>s face<br />
problems relating to the illicit transfer <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> n<strong>on</strong>-return of children. In 1972, following Liberati<strong>on</strong>, some children<br />
were sold, transported or adopted misusing the Bangladesh Ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ed Children (Special Provisi<strong>on</strong>) Order.<br />
Subsequently, the Order was repealed.<br />
Bangladesh is neither a party to the Hague C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Civil Aspects of Internati<strong>on</strong>al Child Abducti<strong>on</strong> nor<br />
to any other bilateral or multilateral agreements in this area. Most reported children used as camel jockeys are<br />
brought back home, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> reintegrated.<br />
5.10 Abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> neglect including physical<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> psychological recovery <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> social reintegrati<strong>on</strong><br />
As per the Children's Act 1974, it is an offence to assault, ill-treat, neglect or ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong> a child. Under the<br />
Suppressi<strong>on</strong> of Violence Against Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children Act 2000 (as amended in 2003) 42 Special Tribunals<br />
have been established in 33 districts of the country <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a Special Judge has been posted to each tribunal for<br />
trying cases <strong>on</strong>ly relating to violence against women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children including trafficking in them. Forty two<br />
(Special) Public Prosecutors have been designated in 42 tribunals for c<strong>on</strong>ducting these cases. A Deputy<br />
Attorney General has been designated for dealing with cases in trafficking in women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children at the nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
level. This initiative was taken to facilitate the quick disposal of cases related to trafficking in women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
children.<br />
The Government is planning to improve the whole gamut of police administrati<strong>on</strong> of the country. Am<strong>on</strong>g others,<br />
'model thana (police stati<strong>on</strong>) development' c<strong>on</strong>cept would be tried to 'st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ardize' or 'rati<strong>on</strong>alize' the police in<br />
terms of bringing behavioural change <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> making them people-friendly. Based <strong>on</strong> the experiences, the c<strong>on</strong>cept<br />
will be replicated throughout the country. It is believed that the children issues will be addressed with special<br />
care under the initiative.<br />
Large-scale awareness campaigns <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> programmes were undertaken by both GO <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs <strong>on</strong> issues related<br />
to <strong>CRC</strong> including abuse, violence, neglect etc. Televisi<strong>on</strong> drama, jingles, street theatre, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other types of mass<br />
awareness methods are used to promote behavioural change.<br />
5.11 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> review of placement<br />
Children come into c<strong>on</strong>tact with the law for a variety of reas<strong>on</strong>s. As per the Children Act 1974, child offenders<br />
can be ordered to be placed with a certified institute or an approved home. However, children are susceptible<br />
to abuse. This is likely to be the fate of the street children who are detained by the police <strong>on</strong> the pretext of being<br />
a 'vagrant'. Children found homeless <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> taken by the police are often c<strong>on</strong>fined in vagrant homes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> shelters.<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Though significantly reduced in the recent years, there are children in the Jails, with mothers, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> with adult<br />
pris<strong>on</strong>ers in some cases. The envir<strong>on</strong>ment of these homes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> shelters are being attempted to make childfriendly.<br />
The Government is in the process of reviewing The Vagrancy Act, 1943, for possible amendments or<br />
repealing.<br />
The legal age of criminal resp<strong>on</strong>sibility is a major issue in the administrati<strong>on</strong> of juvenile justice. The minimum<br />
age of criminal resp<strong>on</strong>sibility has been raised from seven to nine years in 2005. The birth registrati<strong>on</strong> system is<br />
going to be more effective now that the new law has been enacted <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other initiatives undertaken mainly with<br />
the support of UNICEF <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs, both nati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> internati<strong>on</strong>al.<br />
The c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> meetings at divisi<strong>on</strong>al level organized in c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong> with this <strong>CRC</strong> report informed that District<br />
Level Task Forces have been c<strong>on</strong>stituted to m<strong>on</strong>itor number of children in police custody or in jails <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> suggest<br />
transfer of them, if any, to KUK or any safe home.<br />
51
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
VI.<br />
BASIC HEALTH<br />
AND<br />
WELFARE<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
6.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Over the years, the ADP allocati<strong>on</strong> for health sector is increasing, ranging from 8 to 9 percent of the total annual<br />
budget since fiscal 2001-02, though in terms of requirement the amount is not adequate.<br />
Health Nutriti<strong>on</strong> & Populati<strong>on</strong> Sector Programme (HNSP) for improvement of care facilities <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> accessing them<br />
by all, especially poor, women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children in particular are increasingly undertaken <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> emphasized by the<br />
Government. A major milest<strong>on</strong>e for health sector was formulati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> approval of Nati<strong>on</strong>al Strategy for Maternal<br />
Health in 2001 (under HPNSP as a separate comp<strong>on</strong>ent). A gender-equity strategy was developed to provide<br />
directi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> gender mainstreaming in the Programme. A Gender Advisory Committee, with representati<strong>on</strong> from<br />
MoHFW <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other sectors, was established.<br />
Safe motherhood is promoted through various initiatives/activities. Capacity building of doctors, nurses <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
other health workers is a c<strong>on</strong>tinued process. A cadre of Skilled Birth Attendants (SBAs) are being developed to<br />
ensure safe delivery at home. Steady but c<strong>on</strong>siderable progress has been made in increasing the coverage of<br />
Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC).<br />
There has been a steady decline in the infant mortality rate from 87 live births per thous<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to 66 in 2000 to 65<br />
per thous<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in 2004. C<strong>on</strong>siderable progress in child nutriti<strong>on</strong> has also been made in the recent years. The<br />
percentage of children aged 6-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths with stunting decreased from 48.0 percent in 2000 to 46 percent in<br />
2005; underweight decreased from 51.0 percent in 2000 to 39.7 percent in 2005; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> wasting decreased from<br />
17 percent in 1995 to 12 percent in 2000 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> remained same in 2005.<br />
The valid coverage of fully immunized children (all doses given at right intervals) increased from 52 percent in<br />
2001 to 63 percent in 2003 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to 71 percent in 2006.<br />
Almost all children (98 percent) are breastfed at some time in their lives <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> over 80 percent of children are<br />
breastfed still at 20-23 m<strong>on</strong>th of age. However, many aspects of infant <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> young child feeding are far from<br />
optimal.<br />
The Government's commitment to resp<strong>on</strong>ding to HIV&AIDS is dem<strong>on</strong>strated through the Nati<strong>on</strong>al AIDS Policy.<br />
A Nati<strong>on</strong>al Strategic Plan has been approved, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a Nati<strong>on</strong>al AIDS Committee formed. The Government has<br />
launched a HIV preventi<strong>on</strong> programme.<br />
The Disability Welfare Act was enacted in 2001. A Nati<strong>on</strong>al Foundati<strong>on</strong> for Development of Disabled under the<br />
MoSW has been established in January 2001. A policy for PWDs is prepared <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> under active c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> for<br />
approval. All these dem<strong>on</strong>strate the State party's intenti<strong>on</strong> to promote the cause of PWDs. The Government in<br />
its Budget for 2007-08 made provisi<strong>on</strong> for special allowance for PWDs including children. New programmes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
activities are undertaken <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> facilities created for them.<br />
53
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6.2 Survival <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> development<br />
Under Article 6, paragraph 2 of <strong>CRC</strong>, the State is to ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
development of every child. While under right to Survival, the State Party is to ensure fundamental requirements<br />
for livelihood such as healthcare services, food with adequate nutriti<strong>on</strong>, safe water, sanitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> healthy<br />
envir<strong>on</strong>ment, am<strong>on</strong>g others; under Development right the Government is c<strong>on</strong>cerned to children's educati<strong>on</strong>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
other enabling envir<strong>on</strong>ment for full <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> harm<strong>on</strong>ious development of his or her pers<strong>on</strong>ality, enjoying leisure,<br />
sports <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> cultural activities. Present situati<strong>on</strong> of the State Party vis-à-vis development/changes during the<br />
reporting period in terms of Article 6 is discussed in the following secti<strong>on</strong>s of this cluster as well as different<br />
secti<strong>on</strong>s of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
6.3 Children with disabilities<br />
The Nati<strong>on</strong>al Policy for the Disabled was adopted in 1995 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> The Disability Welfare Act was enacted in 2001.<br />
A disabled pers<strong>on</strong> is defined as a pers<strong>on</strong> who loses partially or completely his ability or whose abilities become<br />
comparatively lower through physical or mental damage due to disease, accident, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> wr<strong>on</strong>g treatment or by<br />
all. Disability mainly occurs due to damage in physical, mental, visual <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> hearing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> speech sense. Every<br />
disability is divided into three levels: mild, moderate <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> severe. The policy goes into further details regarding<br />
the definiti<strong>on</strong> of each type of disability.<br />
The Disability Welfare Act, 2001 provides for equal rights for disabled pers<strong>on</strong>s. The Act focuses <strong>on</strong> preventi<strong>on</strong><br />
of disability, treatment, educati<strong>on</strong>, rehabilitati<strong>on</strong>, employment, transport accessibility <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> advocacy for them.<br />
There is a lack of reliable data <strong>on</strong> disability in the country as no comprehensive survey has yet been c<strong>on</strong>ducted.<br />
However, partial surveys c<strong>on</strong>ducted by different organizati<strong>on</strong>s give different estimates of number PWDs in the<br />
county. According to Nati<strong>on</strong>al Forum of Organizati<strong>on</strong>s Working with the Disabled (NFOWD), approximately 14%<br />
of the total populati<strong>on</strong> has some form of disability. According to Bangladesh Demographic <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Health Survey,<br />
2000 (BDHS) c<strong>on</strong>ducted by BBS, 7.38 males per 1000 populati<strong>on</strong> were found have disabilities compared to 4.66<br />
females per 1000.<br />
The MICS 2006 found that nati<strong>on</strong>ally, 17.5 percent of the 2-9 year old children had <strong>on</strong>e or more reported<br />
disabilities. The highest rate varies 14.0 percent to 20.4 percent in different Divisi<strong>on</strong>s. There is no urban-rural<br />
difference in disability, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> it is negatively co-related to age- with increase of children's age, disability rate falls.<br />
Though insufficient compared to the needs, there are Government facilities <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> programmes, as well as<br />
initiatives at NGOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> private levels. The Nati<strong>on</strong>al Foundati<strong>on</strong> for Development of Disabled <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Department<br />
of Social Services provide both integrated <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> special services for children with disabilities. The major<br />
programmes undertaken <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> being implemented in associati<strong>on</strong> with NGOs/CBOs since 2000 include:<br />
Studies <strong>on</strong> disabled children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adolescents<br />
Introducing ID cards for PWDs to facilitate movement in the transports <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> availing health care services<br />
Establishing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> operating specialized instituti<strong>on</strong>s/centres<br />
Provide vocati<strong>on</strong>al training for rehabilitati<strong>on</strong><br />
Extend Microcredit support<br />
Provide special allowance (under safety net programme) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> stipends<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
At present, the following facilities exist under Department of Social Service for pers<strong>on</strong>s/children with disabilities:<br />
Seventy four integrated units providing special educati<strong>on</strong> to visually-impaired children in sec<strong>on</strong>dary<br />
schools. Students are supported to learn to read Braille, use an abacus <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> improve their mobility. Braille<br />
books <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other aids are supplied. Residential places are available for 10 students per unit.<br />
Twelve instituti<strong>on</strong>s for children with hearing/visual impairments or physical h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>icaps providing primary<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> pre-vocati<strong>on</strong>al training.<br />
One instituti<strong>on</strong> is providing services for mentally retarded pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Two instituti<strong>on</strong>s/centres for training/rehabilitating physically disabled pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
One training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> centre for visually impaired pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Under the proposed Policy for Disability, short, medium <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> l<strong>on</strong>g term acti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> measures for providing health<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>, stipend, training etc to children with disabilities have been articulately outlined. If<br />
approved/implemented, it will not <strong>on</strong>ly open avenues for these children but will also expedite compliance to <strong>CRC</strong>.<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Foundati<strong>on</strong> for Development of Disabled provides a range of disability-related services. The<br />
Foundati<strong>on</strong> is running 10 schools for 770 children with different types of disabilities. In collaborati<strong>on</strong> with an<br />
NGO, it is also operating 44 schools with 8,000 retarded students. As recently introduced by the State Party,<br />
close to 10,000 students/children with disability will get stipend from the Government.<br />
The Foundati<strong>on</strong> also provides support in the form of grants to around 70 schools for providing special health care<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> supports. It has disbursed Taka 67.8 milli<strong>on</strong> (US$ 1.0m) to pers<strong>on</strong>s with disability through<br />
NGOs as grant or credit during 2002-03 to 2005-06. The major share of the funds is being utilized in rehabilitati<strong>on</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> healthcare <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> livelihood development of children with disabilities. In additi<strong>on</strong>, up to 2005/06 the Foundati<strong>on</strong><br />
has distributed Taka 49.14 milli<strong>on</strong> (US$ 0.70m) to NGOs/organizati<strong>on</strong>s for treatment of disabled children.<br />
The Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs have made c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong>s to the process of awareness building through<br />
communicati<strong>on</strong> campaign. This boldly challenges perceived noti<strong>on</strong>s about the capacities <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> participati<strong>on</strong><br />
of children with disabilities in all aspects of life. PWDs have been participating in games <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sports organized<br />
both nati<strong>on</strong>ally <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> internati<strong>on</strong>ally. Every year the Disability Day is observed, highlighting the issues that<br />
raise awareness.<br />
6.4 Health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> health services<br />
6.4.1 Sectoral policies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> overview<br />
The Government is c<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>ally committed to "the supply of basic medical requirements to all levels of the<br />
people in the society" <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the "improvement of nutriti<strong>on</strong> of the people <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> public health". In 2002, it proclaimed<br />
the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Health Policy, which is a pro-people policy with a focus <strong>on</strong> women, children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the poor. It is also<br />
committed to implement the Program of Acti<strong>on</strong> of the Internati<strong>on</strong>al C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> Populati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Development<br />
(ICDP), 1994, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> its review in 1999. The fundamental objective of the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Health Policy is to ensure health<br />
services for all, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to reduce populati<strong>on</strong> growth. The policy of providing health care is based <strong>on</strong> the principles<br />
of universal coverage <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> accessibility; optimum utilisati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the development of human resources;<br />
appropriate use of technology; gender equity; improvement of the quality of life; priority services for most<br />
vulnerable groups; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, promoti<strong>on</strong> of health as an integral part of overall development.<br />
A major milest<strong>on</strong>e for the nati<strong>on</strong>al programme has been the formulati<strong>on</strong> of the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Strategy for Maternal<br />
Health in 2001, a comprehensive plan to ensure safe motherhood. The Programme Implementati<strong>on</strong> Plan of the<br />
55
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
HNPSP has also reflected the priorities of this strategy. A Gender Equity Strategy was developed to provide<br />
directi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> gender mainstreaming in the HNPSP. A Gender Advisory Committee, with representati<strong>on</strong> from<br />
MoHFW <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other sectors, was established to support improvement of the health of women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children.<br />
6.4.2 Major government programmes<br />
Under Government's HNPSP 2003-2010, the following healthcare interventi<strong>on</strong>s for children are being<br />
implemented.<br />
Essential Services Package- child health care: The major interventi<strong>on</strong>s are EPI, ARI c<strong>on</strong>trol, diarrhoeal<br />
disease c<strong>on</strong>trol, Integrated Management of Childhood Illness-IMCI, preventive <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> therapeutic vitamin A<br />
supplementati<strong>on</strong>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> school health services.: Main activities under Exp<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed Programme of Immunisati<strong>on</strong><br />
(EPI) include routine immunisati<strong>on</strong> against seven communicable diseases, EPI disease surveillance, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
supplementary immunisati<strong>on</strong> activities (SIA) for measles c<strong>on</strong>trol <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> eliminati<strong>on</strong> of maternal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ne<strong>on</strong>atal<br />
tetanus (MNT).<br />
Acute Respiratory Infecti<strong>on</strong> (ARI) C<strong>on</strong>trol: This includes home management through health educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
promoti<strong>on</strong>, early detecti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> treatment of ARI cases by the field workers, training of service providers, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
procurement <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> supply of drugs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> equipment.<br />
Diarrhoeal Diseases C<strong>on</strong>trol (CDD): This includes short-term training <strong>on</strong> diarrhoea case management,<br />
promoti<strong>on</strong> of appropriate home management practices, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> preventi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> extensi<strong>on</strong> of ORT corners in health<br />
centres.<br />
Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI): The important development in the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of child<br />
health services has been the adopti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> implementati<strong>on</strong> of IMCI Strategy. The integrated approach to child<br />
care utilises preventive services of immunizati<strong>on</strong>, micro-nutrient supplementati<strong>on</strong>, growth m<strong>on</strong>itoring,<br />
counselling <strong>on</strong> feeding, nutriti<strong>on</strong>, care-seeking <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> caring of new born <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> early stimulati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> learning. The<br />
MoH&FW has developed a community IMCI strategy to strengthen community-based provisi<strong>on</strong>s for 5 priority<br />
areas, such as, caring <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> care-seeking; feeding <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nutriti<strong>on</strong>; essential new born care; early childhood<br />
development; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> preventing drowning.<br />
Essential Services Package - reproductive <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adolescent health care: This includes Comprehensive<br />
Emergency Obstetrics Care (CEOC) at all district hospitals <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> at 40 percent of Upazila Health Complexes, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
of Basic Obstetric Care at 60 percent of theses Complexes. Adolescent health activities include: counselling<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> developing awareness for adolescents <strong>on</strong> hygienic practices; nutriti<strong>on</strong>; puberty; RTI/STD etc.; de-worming<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> folic acid supplementati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> full immunisati<strong>on</strong> for adolescent girls with 5 dose TT vaccines.<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Nutriti<strong>on</strong> Programme (NNP): This covers micr<strong>on</strong>utrient supplementati<strong>on</strong>, universal salt iodizati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
breast feeding promoti<strong>on</strong>, services for pregnant <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> lactating mothers, newly wed couples, adolescent girls,<br />
Behavioural Communicati<strong>on</strong> (BCC) etc<br />
The Government's commitment to resp<strong>on</strong>ding to HIV & AIDS is shown through the Nati<strong>on</strong>al AIDS Policy. A<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Strategic Plan has been approved, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a Nati<strong>on</strong>al AIDS Committee has been formed. The Government<br />
has launched a preventi<strong>on</strong> programme aimed at c<strong>on</strong>trolling the spread of HIV infecti<strong>on</strong> within vulnerable groups,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to limit its spread to the wider populati<strong>on</strong>, without stigmatising or discriminating against vulnerable groups.<br />
In 2001, MoHFW adopted the Gender Equity Strategy (GES) to address gender issues in the health sector. A<br />
Gender Advisory Committee, with representati<strong>on</strong> from MoHFW <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other sectors, was established to support<br />
improvement of the health of women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children.<br />
56
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Delivery of primary health care services in four major metropolitan cities, Dhaka, Chittag<strong>on</strong>g, Rajshahi <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Khulna, began to improve after 1997, when the Urban Primary Health Care Project (UPHCP) was initiated by<br />
the MOLGRD&C with support from ADB, UNFPA <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Nordic Development Fund. In additi<strong>on</strong> to these four<br />
major cities, primary health care services have also been provided in the other urban <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> municipality areas<br />
through the NGO Services Delivery Programme (NSDP) funded by USAID <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Support for Basic Services<br />
in Urban Areas Project (SBSUAP) funded by UNICEF. The UPHCP also provides reproductive health services<br />
through upgraded municipal maternity centres for the provisi<strong>on</strong> of comprehensive EmOC services, family<br />
planning, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> RTI/STD detecti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> treatment. Under the SBSUAP, primary health care services are given by<br />
the Local Government Divisi<strong>on</strong> of MOLGRD&C as a comp<strong>on</strong>ent of comprehensive package for community<br />
development through Urban Development Centres (UDCs).<br />
The Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs undertake nati<strong>on</strong>al campaigns to increase public awareness <strong>on</strong> health promoti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
disease preventi<strong>on</strong>, polio eradicati<strong>on</strong>, vitamin A <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> iodine supplementati<strong>on</strong>, preventi<strong>on</strong> of injuries, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the care<br />
of pregnant women.<br />
6.4.3 Shortfalls <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> challenges<br />
Despite the above programmes, less than 40% of the populati<strong>on</strong> has access to modern primary health care<br />
services, bey<strong>on</strong>d immunisati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> family planning. Overall, Bangladesh spends <strong>on</strong>ly 1.2 percent of GDP <strong>on</strong><br />
health against a WHO target of 5 percent. Health expenditure per capita is barely inadequate to meet exp<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing<br />
health dem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s in the country (<strong>on</strong>ly 12 US$ including US$7 private out of pocket against WHO suggested<br />
optimum expenditure of $ 34 per capita per year for the least developed countries). Pers<strong>on</strong>s per physician in<br />
2005 were 3,317 against 4,043 in 2001. Al<strong>on</strong>gside the Government, about 400 NGOs run 170 hospitals in<br />
different parts of the country <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> these hospitals have about 4,500 beds. Private healthcare facilities are also<br />
available in the country <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> being increasing involved through initiatives like private-public partnership.<br />
Table 6.1: Availability of Medical Facilities<br />
Year<br />
Hospitals<br />
Hospital Beds<br />
Public Private Total Public Private Total<br />
Doctor Nurse Midwife<br />
1991 610 280 890 27,111 7,242 34,353 21,004 9,655 7,713<br />
1996 645 288 933 29,502 8.025 37,527 27,425 13,830 11,200<br />
2001 670 712 1, 382 33,368 12,239 45,607 32,498 18,135 15,798<br />
2005 1683 N.A - 51044 N.A - 41933 N.A N.A<br />
Source: BBS<br />
Health expenditure, according to a study c<strong>on</strong>ducted by BIDS in 2001, is disproporti<strong>on</strong>ately high am<strong>on</strong>g the<br />
poorest household, who spend approximately 38 percent of household income <strong>on</strong> the treatment of illness<br />
compared to the richest household who spend <strong>on</strong>ly 3.4 percent, suggesting that poor households face<br />
significant ec<strong>on</strong>omic pressure to fiancé treatment, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> open to real risk of indebtedness.<br />
While there has been progress in disease preventi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>trol, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a decline in childhood communicable<br />
diseases, new <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> old infectious diseases, such as newer drug resistant tuberculosis, malaria, Dengue <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
HIV& AIDS are threats to health. The trend of n<strong>on</strong>- communicable disease such as cancer, diabetes,<br />
cardiovascular diseases <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> injuries are likely to rise in the future.<br />
The malaria threat in Bangladesh is deepening in some parts of the country although aggregate statistics<br />
suggest a progressive lowering over the last four years to around <strong>on</strong>e percent. While 13 of the 64 districts in the<br />
57
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
country are particularly affected, marginalized community living in remote hill tracts <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adjacent districts of East<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> North East border of the country are more vulnerable. Nati<strong>on</strong>al mechanism to combat malaria is weak due<br />
to insufficient resources, poor surveillance, rising drug resistance, prohibitive cost of insecticides <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> poor<br />
community mobilizati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
6.4.4 Situati<strong>on</strong> by disease <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> fields of health<br />
Maternal mortality: According to the Bangladesh Maternal Mortality Survey 2001, the maternal mortality ratio<br />
is in the range 320-400 per 100,000 live births reduced from 478 in 1990. In 2006, <strong>on</strong>ly 35 percent of urban<br />
births <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 15 percent rural births are assisted by skilled health workers (BBS/UNICEF, 2006), that is of the total<br />
deliveries, 88 percent take place at home (by relatives <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Traditi<strong>on</strong>al Birth Attendants-TBA). MICS 2006<br />
reveals that overall about 66 percent births were delivered by TBA, 11 percent by relatives <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> friends, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
remainder in hospital by skilled pers<strong>on</strong>nel.<br />
Coverage of antenatal care (by doctor, nurse or midwife) is relatively low in Bangladesh. With 47.7 percent of<br />
women receiving antenatal care at least <strong>on</strong>ce during pregnancy (MICS 2006). The care varies widely between<br />
areas, around 67 percent in urban against 41.2 percent in rural areas <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> lowest level of antenatal care was<br />
found in the tribal areas. The coverage decreases with the increase of the age of woman <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> it is str<strong>on</strong>gly corelated<br />
to educati<strong>on</strong>al background <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> socio ec<strong>on</strong>omic status of the household. In 2004, the post natal care<br />
(PNC) coverage was 17.8 percent <strong>on</strong>ly.<br />
The health seeking behaviour of women during pregnancy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> childbirth is still not up to the expectati<strong>on</strong>, with<br />
uneducated <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> less educated <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> poorer women being less likely to seek qualified care. Maternal malnutriti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
infecti<strong>on</strong>s during pregnancy, anaemia, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> repeated pregnancies, c<strong>on</strong>tribute to a high rate of maternal mortality.<br />
Poor medical facilities at local level <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> poverty cause insufficient health seeking attitude in the country. Only<br />
about a third of the Uni<strong>on</strong> Health Centres are managed by qualified doctors. The frequent transfer of doctors<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> absenteeism are major c<strong>on</strong>cerns.<br />
A nati<strong>on</strong>al strategy for maternal health was adopted in 2001. HNPSP has a separate comp<strong>on</strong>ent <strong>on</strong> maternal<br />
health. Under the Woman Friendly Hospital Initiative (WFHI); aimed at strengthening EmOC services <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
addressing violence against women; training has been c<strong>on</strong>ducted for medical officers <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nurses from 31 health<br />
facilities. Safe Motherhood Day is observed regularly.<br />
Steady but c<strong>on</strong>siderable progress has been made in increasing the coverage of EmOC services with an<br />
estimated ratio of 1 for every 646,557 pers<strong>on</strong>s. A total of 132 EmOC facilities are providing Comprehensive<br />
EmOC <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> another 59 facilities are providing Basic. Met need for EmOC services increased to 13.7 percent in<br />
2005 from 11.9 percent in 2004 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> case fatality rate decreased to 1.18 percent in 2005 compared to 1.7<br />
percent in 2004. Health professi<strong>on</strong>als were trained <strong>on</strong> EmOC services.<br />
Family planning: Bangladesh achieved good progress in c<strong>on</strong>traceptive adopti<strong>on</strong>, awareness raising about <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
c<strong>on</strong>trolling of populati<strong>on</strong> growth rate. C<strong>on</strong>traceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) stood at 57 percent in 2005. Total<br />
Fertility Rate (TFR) came down from 3.3 in 2001 to 2.5 in 2005. These two important factors, al<strong>on</strong>g with drop in<br />
infant mortality rate, increased the mean age of first marriage (16 years), increase in female literacy rate <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
higher female labour participati<strong>on</strong> rate c<strong>on</strong>tributed to slower growth rate of populati<strong>on</strong> (1.52 percent), which in<br />
turn caused by drop in infant mortality.<br />
Significant differences exist in the use of Family Planning (FP) methods with CPR am<strong>on</strong>g Divisi<strong>on</strong>s, 32 to 68.3<br />
percent. One major c<strong>on</strong>cern regarding FP methods is that nearly 50 percent of women, who use c<strong>on</strong>traceptives,<br />
disc<strong>on</strong>tinue within the first year. There are other problems like inadequate addressing of the marginalized <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
poor people, ineffective policies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> programmes such as more dependence <strong>on</strong> female. The other weaknesses<br />
in FP include: shortage of field staff <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>traceptives, traditi<strong>on</strong>al beliefs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> practices.<br />
58
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Adolescent reproductive health: Under aged mothers are more likely to suffer severe complicati<strong>on</strong>s during<br />
delivery, resulting in higher mortality <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> morbidity am<strong>on</strong>g themselves <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the children. Dowry still remains the<br />
core of marriage negotiati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> major cause of violence, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> early marriage of girl is still high. Early marriage,<br />
s<strong>on</strong>-preference <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> low status of women in the society affect adolescent girls' nutriti<strong>on</strong>, educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> access<br />
to health.<br />
In Bangladesh indicated that a substantial porti<strong>on</strong> of adolescent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> young people are not aware of causes of<br />
menstruati<strong>on</strong>, c<strong>on</strong>sequences of unprotected sexual activity, STD, HIV&AIDS <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> availability of treatment<br />
facilities. The State Party has therefore identified adolescent health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> educati<strong>on</strong> both as a priority <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
challenge, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> incorporated this issue in the HNPSP. Health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other related issues of adolescents will be<br />
further incorporated in curriculum of sec<strong>on</strong>dary educati<strong>on</strong> from 2008.<br />
Infant <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child mortality: Infant <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child mortality are key indicators of the care, health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nutriti<strong>on</strong> status<br />
of children as well as the social, cultural <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ec<strong>on</strong>omic progress of country. There has been a steady decline in<br />
the infant mortality rate from 87 per thous<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> live births in 1993-94 to 65 per thous<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in 2004 (BDHS, 2004).<br />
Under-five mortality rate has come down from 133 in 1993-94 to 94 in 2000, further down to 84 per thous<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
in 2003 (BBS, 2005). There c<strong>on</strong>tinue to be urban-rural differences in under-five mortality rate (55 in urban areas<br />
compared 78 in rural areas per thous<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in 2004).<br />
Ne<strong>on</strong>atal death rate of 41 per thous<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> live births (BDHS 2004) is due to three main causes: infecti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
(pneum<strong>on</strong>ia, ne<strong>on</strong>atal sepsis), birth asphyxia <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> low birth weight (LBW) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> preterm delivery.<br />
There has been an epidemiological transiti<strong>on</strong> of mortality pattern in Bangladesh. Due to the relative decline in<br />
deaths caused by infectious diseases, n<strong>on</strong>-infectious causes such as injuries <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> accidents now are c<strong>on</strong>sidered<br />
to be important factors of child mortality. Study (ICMH <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> UNICEF, 2003) shows that injuries <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> accidents<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tribute to 29 percent of total deaths am<strong>on</strong>g children aged 1-4 years.<br />
Table 6.2: Trend in early childhood mortality in Bangladesh, 1993-2004 (per 1,000)<br />
Data Source Approximate Ne<strong>on</strong>atal Post-ne<strong>on</strong>atal Infant Child Under-five<br />
Reference period Mortality Mortality Mortality Mortality<br />
BDHS 2004 1999-2003 41 24 65 24 88<br />
BDHS;1999-2000 1995-1999 42 24 66 30 94<br />
BDHS;1996-1997 1992-1996 48 34 82 37 116<br />
BDHS;1993-1994 1989-1993 52 35 87 50 133<br />
In order to reduce deaths from diarrhoea, the oral rehydrati<strong>on</strong> therapy (ORT) campaign has been in effect for a<br />
l<strong>on</strong>g time. The ORT campaign is a regular activity in ORT corners in Government hospitals, EPI outreach sites,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> home visits by health workers, throughout the country. Oral rehydrati<strong>on</strong> soluti<strong>on</strong> (ORS) use during diarrhoea<br />
increased from 62 percent in 2000 (BBS/UNICEF 2000) to 68 percent in 2003 (BBS/UNICEF, 2003) to 70<br />
percent in 2006 (BBS/UNICEF, 2006).<br />
Immunizati<strong>on</strong>: Bangladesh c<strong>on</strong>tributes to have a record with regard to immunizati<strong>on</strong> coverage. The valid<br />
coverage of fully immunized children (all doses given at right intervals) increased from 52 percent in 2001 to 63<br />
percent in 2003 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to 71 percent in 2006 (Coverage Evaluati<strong>on</strong> Survey 2000, 2003 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 2006). Both hepatitis<br />
B vaccinati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Auto Disposable (AD) syringes have been introduced in 2003. Facility Based Integrated<br />
Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) activities that began in 2002 cover over 140 of sub-districts<br />
(Upazilas) in 2006.<br />
59
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
There have been various interventi<strong>on</strong>s that helped in reducti<strong>on</strong> of mortality rates. Access to vaccinati<strong>on</strong> is<br />
foremost am<strong>on</strong>g them. The BCG coverage was as high as 96 percent in 2003 which went up to 98 percent in<br />
2006. The access to immunizati<strong>on</strong> in Bangladesh is very high as seen from the Table below. The rate of measles<br />
vaccinati<strong>on</strong> was 69 percent in 2003 which went up to 78 percent in 2006. However, it is recognized that the<br />
percentage of fully immunized children needs to increase further.<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Immunizati<strong>on</strong> Day (NID) is being observed for many years very successfully <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> there was not a single<br />
case of c<strong>on</strong>firmed polio in the country between 2001 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 2005. However, several polio cases were detected in<br />
2006 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NIDs have been strengthened. To reduce ne<strong>on</strong>atal deaths due to tetanus, supplementary activities<br />
have been carried out. As a result, 86 percent of new-borns are protected at birth against ne<strong>on</strong>atal tetanus. The<br />
Government has also introduced from 2003 Hepatitis B vaccinati<strong>on</strong> into routine EPI, which has been exp<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed<br />
to all districts from 2005. The following table shows the rate of vaccinati<strong>on</strong>s in the country.<br />
Table 6.3: Vaccinati<strong>on</strong>s by Background Characteristics in Bangladesh, 2004 (in percent)<br />
Background Characteristics BCG DPT 1 DPT 2 DPT 3 Polio Polio 1 Polio 2 Polio 3 Measles All Vacc. No Vacc.<br />
Sex Male 93.4 93.3 88.0 81.2 1.5 97.6 89.1 82.6 75.6 73.4 2.4<br />
Female 93.4 92.9 86.4 80.8 2.3 95.4 87.6 82.0 75.7 72.8 4.1<br />
Residence Urban 94.2 93.4 90.0 85.7 3.6 96.6 90.8 85.8 82.8 80.9 2.8<br />
Rural 93.2 93.0 86.5 79.8 1.5 96.4 87.7 81.4 73.9 71.1 3.5<br />
Mother's No 89.0 88.6 79.0 69.2 0.9 94.4 80.1 70.2 62.3 60.3 5.0<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
Primary 94.0 93.4 87.3 81.2 0.6 98.3 88.6 83.2 76.3 72.5 1.7<br />
incomplete<br />
Primary 95.4 95.4 90.6 86.5 2.7 95.6 92.3 87.2 81.1 80.3 4.4<br />
complete<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary 96.3 96.1 93.3 89.8 2.6 97.2 94.5 90.8 85.4 82.2 2.8<br />
incomplete<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary 98.8 98.8 98.6 96.8 6.6 98.8 98.8 98.6 94.2 92.2 1.2<br />
complete or<br />
higher<br />
Total 93.4 93.1 87.2 81.0 1.9 96.5 88.4 82.3 75.7 73.1 3.3<br />
Source: "Bangladesh Demographic <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Health Survey 2004"<br />
Despite these achievements, it is estimated that approximately 1.5 milli<strong>on</strong> children remain unprotected with drop<br />
out rates between 20 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 30 percent. The difference of vaccinati<strong>on</strong> likelihood between urban <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rural born<br />
children is almost 10%, which may be due to higher accessibility <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> exposure to healthcare facilities in urban<br />
areas. The most striking difference is that when comparing mothers with no educati<strong>on</strong> to mothers with<br />
sec<strong>on</strong>dary or higher educati<strong>on</strong>. Even an incomplete primary educati<strong>on</strong> can lead to a 12 percent increase of<br />
complete vaccinati<strong>on</strong> of the offspring, peaking at a 32 percent increase when the mother has sec<strong>on</strong>dary or<br />
higher educati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
To strengthen routine immunisati<strong>on</strong>, district <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Upazila micro-plans in line with Reaching Every District (RED)<br />
approaches <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> tools were jointly developed with WHO <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> UNICEF. In additi<strong>on</strong> to extensive training,<br />
improvement of cold chain <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> logistics management has also been brought in.<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
6.5 Social security <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> childcare services <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> facilities<br />
Traditi<strong>on</strong>ally, the family <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> social b<strong>on</strong>dage in Bangladesh is very str<strong>on</strong>g. However, instituti<strong>on</strong>alized social<br />
security system is weak. The MoSW provides accommodati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> some skill training to a limited number of<br />
orphaned, ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> destitute children. The State Party has been pursuing a number of Safety Net<br />
Programmes (SNPs). The major <strong>on</strong>es are:<br />
Old age Allowance Scheme<br />
Allowances for the Distressed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Disabled Pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Allowances for Widowed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Distressed Women<br />
Rural Maintenance Programme (now closed)<br />
Vulnerable Group Development Programme<br />
Rural Infrastructure Development Programme<br />
Food/Cash for Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
Primary Stipend Programme<br />
Female Sec<strong>on</strong>dary Stipend Programme<br />
Quantity Rati<strong>on</strong>ing<br />
Pilot Project of Maternity Allowance for the Poor Lactating Mothers<br />
Other programmes (mostly tagged with training, self employment generati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> micro credit)<br />
The target groups under the SNPs are generally the poor, marginalized <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> socially disadvantaged people, but<br />
within them there is wide range of variati<strong>on</strong>s. Under Maternity Allowance for the Poor Lactating Mothers Pilot<br />
Project, the expecting 45,000 poor mothers are getting an allowance of Taka 300 per m<strong>on</strong>th. This is expected<br />
to ensure safe motherhood, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> better health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nutriti<strong>on</strong> of hard core poor mothers as well as safe birth <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
sound upbringing of infants.<br />
A number of NGOs have begun experimenting with community health insurance scheme that represents a<br />
means for extending social protecti<strong>on</strong>. The State Party is c<strong>on</strong>sidering, inter alia, introducing voucher system<br />
aiming at providing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ensuring health care services at an affordable cost. Such endeavours<br />
(scheme/insurance system) can also provide a means of protecting households from catastrophic (high cost)<br />
illness.<br />
The subsistence allowance is provided to the children in Orphanages <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> shelter homes (Shishu Sadan, Shishu<br />
Paribar, Chotom<strong>on</strong>i Nibash etc). Day-care facilities for the children of working mothers, still available <strong>on</strong>ly <strong>on</strong> a<br />
small scale, are increasing.<br />
6.6 St<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard of living<br />
Article 15 of the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> acknowledges the State’s fundamental resp<strong>on</strong>sibility to ‘attain a steady<br />
improvement in the material <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> cultural st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard of living of the people’ in order to secure the provisi<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
basic necessities of life, including food, clothing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> shelter.<br />
The Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs work side-by-side to support the total development of children in Bangladesh.<br />
Efforts to improve the nutriti<strong>on</strong>al status of children form part of the Government’s health programme <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
specially targeted interventi<strong>on</strong>s (such as the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Nutriti<strong>on</strong> Programme). Poverty alleviati<strong>on</strong> programmes<br />
61
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
aimed at parents also have a positive impact <strong>on</strong> children by increasing the family income <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> improving the<br />
family’s overall st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard of living. Various initiatives have also been taken by the Government to improve the<br />
housing situati<strong>on</strong> of the poor, for example, through schemes to rehabilitate slum dwellers, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> provide housing for<br />
l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>less <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> low-income families, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> most importantly micro credit programmes. Use of sanitary latrine is<br />
increasing (close to 80 percent populati<strong>on</strong>), 97 percent households have access to improved water sources, the<br />
overall safe water coverage is at 75 percent because of naturally occurring arsenic c<strong>on</strong>taminati<strong>on</strong> of ground water.<br />
Use of teleph<strong>on</strong>e, computer <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Internet is increasing at a faster rate. Of the total households, 44 percent have<br />
electricity. GNP per head is now in the country at US$ 480 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> overall HDI rating is increasing gradually.<br />
6.7 Nutriti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> breastfeeding<br />
6.7.1 Nutriti<strong>on</strong><br />
Milli<strong>on</strong>s of children in Bangladesh suffer from malnutriti<strong>on</strong>, increasing the possibility of childhood illness <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
mortality. It is a direct result of the high prevalence of low birth weight (LBW), inadequate dietary intake <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
diseases, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> an indirect result of household food insecurity, inadequate maternal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> childcare <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> poor health<br />
services. Other causes of malnutriti<strong>on</strong> include inadequate breastfeeding <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> infant feeding practices <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
infectious diseases, including diarrhoea. In all, roughly half the country’s rural households can be c<strong>on</strong>sidered<br />
food insecure. According to the Household Income <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Expenditure Surveys roughly poorest 20 percent in 2000<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 19.5 percent in 2005 c<strong>on</strong>sume less than 1805 kilo calories, against the minimum caloric requirement set in<br />
Bangladesh at 2112 per day. In 2005, total 40.4 percent populati<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>sumed less than 2122 kilo calorie, 39.5<br />
percent in rural <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 43.2 percent in urban areas.<br />
The country has been quite successful in achieving the target in terms of grain producti<strong>on</strong> (paddy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> wheat),<br />
which reached around 27 milli<strong>on</strong> Metric T<strong>on</strong> (MT). Even with the near self-sufficiency of food producti<strong>on</strong>, food<br />
security could not be ensured. There are regi<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> seas<strong>on</strong>al disparities in food producti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> availability.<br />
While Dhaka, Khulna <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Chittag<strong>on</strong>g are c<strong>on</strong>sidered to be food deficit areas, in c<strong>on</strong>trast Rajshahi by <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> large<br />
has food surplus. Again, Bangladesh experience two major periods of food shortage, February to March <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
September to October. Natural calamities, which is quite frequent in the country cause regi<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> time-specific<br />
food insecurity. Cereal-biased dietary habit is also c<strong>on</strong>sidered another important reas<strong>on</strong> for food insecurity.<br />
A. Maternal malnutriti<strong>on</strong><br />
The prevalence of malnutriti<strong>on</strong> LBW is high because adolescent girls <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> women who do not c<strong>on</strong>sume<br />
adequate nutritious food during pregnancy. Malnutriti<strong>on</strong> in n<strong>on</strong>-pregnant rural women declined from 54 percent<br />
in 1996-7 to 49 percent in 1999-2000, but is still c<strong>on</strong>sidered high with 35.2 percent in 2005 (BBS). The nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
average in 2005 was 32.2 percent.<br />
Severe anaemia during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal death <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> or having underweight children. The<br />
most comm<strong>on</strong> cause is ir<strong>on</strong> deficiency. Other important causes include deficiencies of folic acid <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vitamin A,<br />
parasitic infecti<strong>on</strong>s such as hookworms <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> malaria.<br />
B. Child malnutriti<strong>on</strong><br />
Children’s malnutriti<strong>on</strong> is reflected <strong>on</strong> their overall health status particularly in terms of LBW, low childhood<br />
growth (stunting), vitamin A deficiency, iodine deficiency disorders <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> anaemia. However, child’s malnutriti<strong>on</strong><br />
mainly stems from mother’s poor health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nutriti<strong>on</strong>. Bangladesh has made significant progress in child<br />
malnutriti<strong>on</strong> in the recent years, as discussed in the following secti<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Low Birth Weight <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Growth: MICS 2006 indicates that as low as 26.7 percent of infants are estimated to<br />
weigh less than 2.5 kg. There are some variati<strong>on</strong>s between income group <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> mother’s educati<strong>on</strong>, as MICS<br />
suggests, but not between rural <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> urban areas. Like other developing countries, Bangladesh is not <strong>on</strong>ly facing<br />
the major challenge of improving child nutriti<strong>on</strong>, but also has been experiencing the problem in weighing children.<br />
MICS 2006 shows that <strong>on</strong>ly 15.5 percent babies are weighed at birth. However, the overall situati<strong>on</strong> is improving.<br />
The percentage of children aged 6-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths with stunting (low height) decreased from 51 percent in 1995 to<br />
48 percent in 2000 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> further to 46.2 percent in 2005; underweight decreased from 57.2 percent in 1995 to 51<br />
percent in 2000 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 39.7 percent in 2005; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> wasting (too thin) decreased from 17 percent in 1995 to 12<br />
percent in 2000 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> increased to12.7 percent in 2005 (BBS & UNICEF, 1992, 2000, 2005).<br />
Table 6.4: Nutriti<strong>on</strong>al Status of Children in Bangladesh, 1989-2004 (in percent)<br />
Year Residence Height-for-age Weight-for-height Weight-for-age<br />
(Stunting) (Wasting) (Under Weight)<br />
Boys Girls Both Boys Girls Both Boys Girls Both<br />
1989-90 Nati<strong>on</strong>al 65.6 65.9 65.4 15.3 13.8 14.4 64.8 67.8 65.8<br />
1995-96 Nati<strong>on</strong>al 51.6 51.2 51.4 15.9 17.3 17.0 56.8 58.1 57.4<br />
Urban 42.0 43.9 42.9 15.6 10.6 13.3 45.4 47.2 46.3<br />
Rural 53.2 52.4 52.8 16.0 18.5 17.2 58.8 59.9 59.3<br />
2000 Nati<strong>on</strong>al 48.4 49.1 48.0 12.0 11.4 12.0 51.3 50.9 51.0<br />
Urban 38.9 37.9 38.5 12.0 9.4 10.9 44.7 39.8 38.5<br />
Rural 50.1 51.3 50.2 12.0 11.8 12.2 52.5 53.0 50.1<br />
2005 Nati<strong>on</strong>al 47.1 45.3 46.2 12.7 12.7 12.7 40.3 39.0 39.7<br />
Urban 38.0 33.7 35.9 10.8 10.8 10.8 30.1 29.7 29.9<br />
Rural 49.4 48.2 48.8 13.0 13.2 13.1 43.0 41.3 42.2<br />
Vitamin A deficiency: Bangladesh has reduced vitamin A deficiency over the years. Vitamin-A supplementati<strong>on</strong><br />
of children aged 12-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths rose from 41 percent in 1993 to 85 percent in 1995, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> has been sustained at<br />
more than 85 percent throughout the last decade. In 2005, the coverage was 93 percent nati<strong>on</strong>wide, 92 percent<br />
in rural areas <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 94 percent in urban (CNS 2005). Vitamin A supplementati<strong>on</strong> twice a year, made it possible to<br />
maintain the prevalence of night blindness sustained well below the 1 percent threshold that signals a public<br />
health problem. The supplementati<strong>on</strong> programme coverage increased mainly because of linking the distributi<strong>on</strong><br />
of Vitamin A capsules with the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Immunizati<strong>on</strong> Days (NID). In Bangladesh within the six m<strong>on</strong>ths as per<br />
MICS 2006, some 85 percent children aged 6-59 moths received a high dose vitamin A supplement.<br />
Iodine deficiency: Bangladesh is affected by iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Due to universal salt iodizati<strong>on</strong><br />
programme, the goitre prevalence decreased from 47 percent in 1993 to 18 percent in 1999, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> biological<br />
iodine deficiency decreased from 69 percent in 1993 to 43 percent in 1999 (Nati<strong>on</strong>al IDD Surveys, 1993 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
1999). Household c<strong>on</strong>sumpti<strong>on</strong> of iodized salt has increased from 14 percent in 1995 to 84 percent in 2006<br />
(MICS 2006).<br />
Use of Iodized Salt was lowest in Chittag<strong>on</strong>g Divisi<strong>on</strong> (77.7 percent) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> highest in Khulna Divisi<strong>on</strong> (93.6<br />
percent) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> there is 10 percent variati<strong>on</strong> between rural <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> urban areas. However, the difference between<br />
richest <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> poorest households in terms of c<strong>on</strong>sumpti<strong>on</strong> of iodized salt is 20 percent.<br />
63
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Ir<strong>on</strong> deficiency anaemia: Ir<strong>on</strong> deficiency during pregnancy is a comm<strong>on</strong> problem Data from anaemia surveys in<br />
urban areas, the Chittag<strong>on</strong>g Hill Tracts <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the rest of rural Bangladesh (BBS/UNICEF, 2004), indicated that the<br />
prevalence of anaemia is a public health problem in preschool children (49 percent) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> pregnant women (46<br />
percent), <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a moderate public health problem in n<strong>on</strong>-pregnant women (33 percent) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adolescents (28<br />
percent). The government arranges distributi<strong>on</strong> of ir<strong>on</strong> tablets through regular health programme.<br />
C. GoB Measures in Promoting Nutriti<strong>on</strong><br />
The Government is committed to achieving food security <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nutriti<strong>on</strong> for all. This is reflected in its policies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
plans, including the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Agricultural Policy (1999), Comprehensive Food Security Policy (2000) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Food Policy (2006), all address issues of availability, access <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> utilisati<strong>on</strong>. Other key Government<br />
commitments related to food <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nutriti<strong>on</strong> include the NSAPR (2004/05 - 2007/08) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the HNPSP 2003-10.<br />
The Government has been implementing the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Nutriti<strong>on</strong> Programme (NNP). This is the successor to the<br />
Bangladesh Integrated Nutriti<strong>on</strong> Project (BINP), which was operated by the MoHFW from1995 to 2003.<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al level services include micr<strong>on</strong>utrient supplementati<strong>on</strong> (ir<strong>on</strong>-foliate <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vitamin A), universal salt<br />
iodizati<strong>on</strong>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> breastfeeding promoti<strong>on</strong>. The NNP also has a Area-Based Community Nutriti<strong>on</strong> (ABCN) services<br />
for children under two years, pregnant <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> lactating women, newly wed couples, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adolescent girls <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a<br />
Behaviour Change Communicati<strong>on</strong> (BCC). ABCN includes growth-m<strong>on</strong>itoring, promoti<strong>on</strong> of supplementary<br />
feeding for malnourished <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> stunted children, special care for LBW infants, micr<strong>on</strong>utrient supplementati<strong>on</strong>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
referral to health services. The BCC comp<strong>on</strong>ent covered all 23,246 nutriti<strong>on</strong> centres in 105 Upazilas with 20<br />
communicati<strong>on</strong> materials to disseminate informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> nutriti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> related issues to pregnant <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> lactating<br />
women, newly wed couples <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adolescent girls.<br />
6.7.2 Breastfeeding<br />
Bangladesh has a culture of breastfeeding since l<strong>on</strong>g. However, many aspects of infant <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> young child feeding<br />
are far from optimal. In order to improve the feeding practices particularly in terms of timing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> durati<strong>on</strong> some<br />
initiatives have been undertaken. An NGO named Bangladesh Breast Feeding Foundati<strong>on</strong> (BFF) has been<br />
working in enhancing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> popularizing breast milk in the country. Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs interventi<strong>on</strong>s in the<br />
recent years are working for building awareness about different aspects of mother’s milk including benefits of<br />
breast feeding. For last couple of years, Bangladesh has been observing Breast Feeding Week, 01 to 08<br />
August.<br />
Almost all children (98 percent) are breastfed at some time in their lives <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> over 80 percent of children are still<br />
breastfed at 20-23 m<strong>on</strong>th of age (NIPORT, 2004). According to MICS 2006, slightly above <strong>on</strong>e-third infants (35<br />
percent) are put to the breast within an hour of birth <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> four-fifths (82 percent) within a day, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> approximately<br />
50 percent of infants are exclusively breastfed up to 3 m<strong>on</strong>ths <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 37.4 percent of children aged less than six<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ths are exclusively breastfed.<br />
While colostrum feeding has improved in the past decade, the traditi<strong>on</strong>al practice of giving pre-lacteal feeds (48<br />
percent) to the newborn has remained static (BBF, 2005). Other liquids <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> complementary foods are given too<br />
early in the country. Over <strong>on</strong>e in five (22 percent) of infants aged under 6 m<strong>on</strong>ths <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 27percent of infants aged<br />
6-9 m<strong>on</strong>ths are bottle-fed (NIPORT, 2004).<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
6.8 Envir<strong>on</strong>mental c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s including water<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sanitati<strong>on</strong> facilities<br />
6.8.1 Overview<br />
Major envir<strong>on</strong>mental c<strong>on</strong>cerns of Bangladesh include arsenic c<strong>on</strong>taminati<strong>on</strong> of shallow aquifer, air polluti<strong>on</strong> in<br />
cities, river water polluti<strong>on</strong> near industrial estates, solid waste, degradati<strong>on</strong> of agricultural soil due to<br />
inappropriate use of fertilizer <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> pesticides, soil erosi<strong>on</strong>, salinity of soil in coastal z<strong>on</strong>es, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> deforestati<strong>on</strong>. The<br />
underlying causes of these challenges cover a range of issues including proper implementati<strong>on</strong> of policies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
regulati<strong>on</strong>s. To protect <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> promote envir<strong>on</strong>ment, the State Party is trying to integrate nati<strong>on</strong>al poverty reducti<strong>on</strong><br />
strategies outlined in NSAPR with programmes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> policies such as Sustainable Envir<strong>on</strong>ment Management<br />
(SEMP) Project, Nati<strong>on</strong>al Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Management Plan (NEMAP) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Declarati<strong>on</strong> of World Summit of<br />
Sustainable Development 2002. In recent years, many NGOs are working for protecting <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> promoting<br />
envir<strong>on</strong>ment through mainly awareness development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> tree plantati<strong>on</strong> in rural areas <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> waste management<br />
programmes in urban areas.<br />
6.8.2 Safe water <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sanitati<strong>on</strong><br />
Since 1970s Bangladesh’s drinking water <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sanitati<strong>on</strong> policy had focused <strong>on</strong> the installati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> promoti<strong>on</strong> of<br />
tube wells resulting over 97 percent of the populati<strong>on</strong> have access to safe water. However, progress towards<br />
ensuring universal access to safe drinking water took a serious blow with the discovery of arsenic in ground<br />
water above WHO recommended st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ards, dictating downward revisi<strong>on</strong> of achievements. About 20 milli<strong>on</strong><br />
people are potentially at risk of arsenicosis. The situati<strong>on</strong> in Khulna Divisi<strong>on</strong> (92 percent) in terms of access to<br />
improved water is relatively worse than other Divisi<strong>on</strong>s. Integrated data <strong>on</strong> tube-wells in 269 Upazilas indicate<br />
that 30 percent of the wells tested were c<strong>on</strong>taminated (DPHE <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> DGHS, August 2002). And the figure is<br />
increasing everyday with discovery of new c<strong>on</strong>taminated area.<br />
About 98 percent of households in Bangladesh, 99 percent in urban <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 97 percent in rural areas, have access<br />
to drinking water from an improved source. However, because of presence of arsenic c<strong>on</strong>taminati<strong>on</strong> in many<br />
parts of the country (48 of the 64 districts), the coverage of safe drinking water is reduced to around 75 percent.<br />
The Government has a set of interventi<strong>on</strong>s for reducing the impact of arsenic in water. Large-scale screening<br />
in tube wells is the first thing that identifies tube wells with high level of c<strong>on</strong>taminati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> seals those.<br />
Interventi<strong>on</strong>s include water treatment plants, piped water system, surface water treatment plant, installati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
deep tube wells, p<strong>on</strong>d s<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> filters <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rain water harvesting systems. By <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> large, deep tube-wells are free<br />
from arsenic c<strong>on</strong>taminati<strong>on</strong>. Health workers were trained <strong>on</strong> identificati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> management of Arsenicosis<br />
patients. A recent survey in 15 Upazilas has shown that awareness regarding arsenic c<strong>on</strong>taminati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
arsenocosis has risen from 31 percent in 2000, to 72 percent in 2003. The Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigati<strong>on</strong> Water<br />
Supply Project (BAMWSP) has been established for arsenic mitigati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The Government has c<strong>on</strong>ducted a baseline survey in 2003 where it was found that <strong>on</strong>ly 33 percent households<br />
were using sanitary latrines. Within 3 years. i.e at the end of December 2005, as Shown in Table 6.5 below, the<br />
country has been able to achieve around 67 percent sanitati<strong>on</strong> coverage. The Table also shows that maximum<br />
increase was in rural areas (37 percent), followed by Pourashava (27 percent) during the period. As of June<br />
2005, 15 Pouroshavas, 20 Upazilas <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 444 Uni<strong>on</strong> Parishads have achieved 100 percent sanitati<strong>on</strong> coverage<br />
(Source: Sanitati<strong>on</strong> Secretariat). Through cooperati<strong>on</strong> with NGOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> development partners access to sanitary<br />
latrines <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> safe water in slums has also increased in the recent years.<br />
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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Table 6.5: Sanitati<strong>on</strong> Coverage (Household in %)<br />
Sl # Area Baseline in 2003 In 2005<br />
01 Rural 29 66<br />
02 Pourashava/Municipality 53 80<br />
03 City corporati<strong>on</strong> 70 79<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 33 67<br />
Source: Sanitati<strong>on</strong> Secretariat, 2005<br />
The main reas<strong>on</strong>s behind the success may be attributed to a set of initiatives such as massive camping,<br />
decentralizati<strong>on</strong> of government instituti<strong>on</strong>s, involvement of local bodies al<strong>on</strong>g with increase of financial<br />
allocati<strong>on</strong>s, especially for hardcore poor, incentives <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> award for better performances, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> increasing publicprivate-NGO<br />
partnership. The South Asia C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> Sanitati<strong>on</strong> (SACOSAN), held in Dhaka in October<br />
2003, resulted in Dhaka Declarati<strong>on</strong> of the subsequent commitment of the State Party to achieve 100 percent<br />
sanitati<strong>on</strong> coverage by 2010 (against universal coverage outlined in MDG in 2015). Bangladesh also<br />
participated in sec<strong>on</strong>d SACOSAN held in Islamabad, Pakistan during 20-21 September 2006.<br />
In 2004, over 5 milli<strong>on</strong> people were mobilized for promoting sanitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> hygiene through variety of<br />
communicati<strong>on</strong> activities including awareness building, training, community participati<strong>on</strong> such as Water <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Sanitati<strong>on</strong> (WATSAN) committees in villages, Uni<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Upazilas. Some 40,000 students’ brigade have been<br />
trained in sanitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> hygiene to carry promoti<strong>on</strong> activities in their own <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> their neighbours’ homes. Based<br />
<strong>on</strong> community acti<strong>on</strong> plans, 4,000 community water facilities <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 55,000 water sealed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> low-cost latrines have<br />
been c<strong>on</strong>structed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> some 150 private latrine producti<strong>on</strong> centres established.<br />
MICS 2006 shows that some 23 percent of child faeces are disposed of safely, with variati<strong>on</strong> am<strong>on</strong>g the<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong>s but very significant between rural (15 percent) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> urban areas (44 percent). There is str<strong>on</strong>g positive<br />
correlati<strong>on</strong> between safe disposal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> both the educati<strong>on</strong> of mothers <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> socioec<strong>on</strong>omic status of households.<br />
At present the Government, besides BAMWSP, is implementing several projects/programmes for improving<br />
WATSAN situati<strong>on</strong> in the country, in associati<strong>on</strong> with a host of development partners <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOS/CBO <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> some<br />
new programmes/projects are in the pipeline.<br />
6.9 School health<br />
Various channels are used to provide health-related informati<strong>on</strong> to children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> families. The existing school<br />
health clinics are being used as the forum for school health informati<strong>on</strong> services. The specific activities are:<br />
Sensitisati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> motivati<strong>on</strong> of primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sec<strong>on</strong>dary students for critical child health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> reproductive<br />
health messages <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> home practices;<br />
Organize school-based visi<strong>on</strong>, hearing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> dental examinati<strong>on</strong>s for primary school children;<br />
Distribute de-worming drugs at primary schools <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> orient <strong>on</strong> worm infestati<strong>on</strong>; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Organize TT-5 campaigns <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> provide ir<strong>on</strong>-folic acid tablets for senior school girls.<br />
Capacity building of doctors, nurses <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other health workers is a c<strong>on</strong>tinued process. This strengthens capacity<br />
in service provisi<strong>on</strong>, referral <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> networking to increase better case management, address the delays in safe<br />
motherhood <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> inform family planning choices. A cadre of Skilled Birth Attendants (SBAs) are being developed<br />
to strengthen safe delivery at home. The Government is going to elaborately incorporate issues related to<br />
adolescents’ health in the school curriculum from year 2000.<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
The UNICEF supported School Sanitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Hygiene Educati<strong>on</strong> Project, which improves water supply <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
sanitati<strong>on</strong> facilities in primary schools <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> helps students learn better hygiene practices, so that they can then<br />
spread the messages through the community. Already 4,800 primary schools covering more than 1 milli<strong>on</strong><br />
students have received hygiene educati<strong>on</strong>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 1531 water points <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 1485 latrines have been installed.<br />
6.10 HIV & AIDS<br />
The HIV prevalence rate is very low, the Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the people in general have now become aware of the<br />
potential danger of it. Al<strong>on</strong>gside the Government initiatives, the NGOs in good numbers have been participating<br />
in resp<strong>on</strong>se to HIV through the HIV <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> AIDS Preventi<strong>on</strong> Project (HAPP). Life Skills Based Educati<strong>on</strong> (LSBE)<br />
Project has also been an important aspect of HIV BCC. Approximately 1100 Rovers from 22 districts, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 1600<br />
scouts from 32 districts, received training <strong>on</strong> LSBE <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> HIV preventi<strong>on</strong>. 15,700 scouts <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rovers received<br />
orientati<strong>on</strong> from trained peers. 600 street children received training <strong>on</strong> the above topics. More than 2,000 street<br />
children received informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> HIV from peer educators in Dhaka <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Chittag<strong>on</strong>g.<br />
In 2005, the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Strategic Plan for HIV&AIDS (2004-2010) was adopted which has prioritized five<br />
programme objectives: provisi<strong>on</strong> of support <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> services for priority groups, preventi<strong>on</strong> of vulnerability to HIV<br />
infecti<strong>on</strong>, promoti<strong>on</strong> of safe practices in the health care system, provisi<strong>on</strong> of care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> support services for<br />
people living with HIV; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> minimizing the impact of the HIV epidemic.<br />
Bangladesh has a large populati<strong>on</strong> of youth <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adolescents. This group could be particularly vulnerable to<br />
HIV&AIDS mainly due to poor access to informati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> lack of youth/adolescent friendly services for<br />
preventi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> care of the disease. According to MICS 2006, 60 percent of adolescent boys (aged 10-19) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
57 percent of adolescent girls heard of HIV & AIDS. Am<strong>on</strong>g those who heard of HIV & AIDS, <strong>on</strong>ly 52 percent of<br />
boys <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 34 percent of girls knew that they can protect themselves from HIV by using c<strong>on</strong>dom.<br />
67
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
VII.<br />
EDUCATION,<br />
LEISURE,<br />
RECREATION<br />
AND<br />
CULTURE<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
7.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Bangladesh’s success in increasing school enrolment al<strong>on</strong>g with closing the gender gap has been <strong>on</strong>e of the<br />
most notable achievements in last 15 years. The enrolment rate has substantially increased, maintaining 97<br />
percent since 2002, for undertaking various measures like awareness programme, introducti<strong>on</strong> of stipend,<br />
school feeding programme etc, the female enrolment rate being slightly higher than male. Rural urban difference<br />
has also reduced substantially. Although commendable progress has been achieved, higher drop out rate <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
quality of educati<strong>on</strong> are still big c<strong>on</strong>cerns. The Government is in the process of undertaking different measures<br />
to improve the situati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The budget allocati<strong>on</strong> for educati<strong>on</strong> has been increasing over the recent years. The State Party with the<br />
assistance of UNICEF has implemented Intensive District Approach to Educati<strong>on</strong> for All (IDEAL) Project, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
later <strong>on</strong> Primary Educati<strong>on</strong> Development Programme (PEDP) with a view to improve quality of educati<strong>on</strong><br />
through a wide range of interventi<strong>on</strong>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> most recently through emphasizing Life Skills Based Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
(LSBE).Some other projects <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> measures were undertaken. A total of 35,000 teachers are being recruited<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>ally by 2007, training programmes are being exp<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> new facilities created.<br />
For increasing families’ knowledge <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> awareness about early childhood development, the State Party<br />
implemented the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Project. The capacity of the teachers/stakeholders were<br />
attempted to enhance for rendering quality educati<strong>on</strong> as well as creating child-friendly envir<strong>on</strong>ment in the<br />
schools. With the support of NGOs/CBOs, the State Party is extending services related to parenting educati<strong>on</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> educati<strong>on</strong> for care givers through different programmes across the country. Overall m<strong>on</strong>itoring of<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>al activities has been strengthened.<br />
The age of compulsory educati<strong>on</strong> is still as before. However, the age/grade for educati<strong>on</strong>al support (mainly in<br />
the form of stipend for girl students) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> some other facilities have been increased. The State Party has<br />
established a Bureau of N<strong>on</strong>-formal Educati<strong>on</strong> in April 2005 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a N<strong>on</strong>-government Teachers’ Registrati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Certificati<strong>on</strong> Authority (NTRCA), <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> inclusi<strong>on</strong> of teachers’ training comp<strong>on</strong>ent in NRTCA is underway.<br />
Madrasah educati<strong>on</strong> is being gradually improved <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> streamlined.<br />
New programmes for sanitati<strong>on</strong> at schools have been undertaken; curriculum/syllabus suiting child <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
adolescent healthcare are being revised for introducti<strong>on</strong> from next sessi<strong>on</strong>. And a step towards introducing<br />
school books <strong>on</strong> tribal children’s own language, two book for Grade-I students are already prepared in Murma<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Bom languages. Those would be introduced in the B<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>arban hill district from 2008 academic sessi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong><br />
a pilot basis. This is a follow up acti<strong>on</strong> after Government’s decisi<strong>on</strong> to introducing mother languages of the tribal<br />
as medium of instructi<strong>on</strong> for the schools in phases.<br />
69
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
7.2 Educati<strong>on</strong> including vocati<strong>on</strong>al training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> guidance<br />
7.2.1 Overall framework<br />
In the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the internati<strong>on</strong>al instruments, especially <strong>CRC</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> CEDAW, Bangladesh has committed<br />
itself not <strong>on</strong>ly to achieve Educati<strong>on</strong> For All but also to create an equitable, just, gender-sensitive <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> n<strong>on</strong>discriminatory<br />
society. Investment in human development is central to sustainable development. The educati<strong>on</strong><br />
sector is managed by two Ministries in the country, the Ministry of Primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Mass Educati<strong>on</strong> (MoPME) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the Ministry of Educati<strong>on</strong> (MoE).<br />
The idea of universal free primary educati<strong>on</strong> is very old <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> due to exp<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed facilities created for accessing<br />
primary educati<strong>on</strong>, it occupies a central place because of its presumed impact <strong>on</strong> poverty reducti<strong>on</strong>. The<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al commitment to educati<strong>on</strong> is reflected through implementati<strong>on</strong> of the World Summit for Children<br />
Declarati<strong>on</strong>, Jomtien <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Dakar Declarati<strong>on</strong>s. The major c<strong>on</strong>cerns of Bangladesh child educati<strong>on</strong> are: preschool<br />
attendance <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> school readiness, dropout rate, gender parity <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> equity, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a challenge to attain better<br />
quality of educati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
7.2.2 Pre-school <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> early childhood development<br />
The MICS 2006 shows that <strong>on</strong>ly slightly below 15 percent children aged 36-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths were attending preschool.<br />
Urban-rural <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> regi<strong>on</strong>al differentials are not so significant, 12.0 percent in urban areas, compared to<br />
16 percent in rural areas. Am<strong>on</strong>g children aged 36-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths, attendance to pre-school is highest in Khulna<br />
divisi<strong>on</strong> (17 percent), <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> lowest in Rajshahi divisi<strong>on</strong> (10 percent). Slightly more girls attend pre-school<br />
compared to boys. Differentials by socioec<strong>on</strong>omic status are not significant but in terms of mother’s educati<strong>on</strong><br />
it is quite noteworthy. In case of mothers having no educati<strong>on</strong>, <strong>on</strong>ly 11 percent of children attend pre-school<br />
while in case of mothers having sec<strong>on</strong>dary educati<strong>on</strong> or higher, the rate goes up to 20 percent.<br />
There have been several initiatives taken by the Government, NGOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> development partners such as: ‘baby<br />
classes’, within <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> outside primary schools including satellite schools, need-based school preparedness (prereading,<br />
pre-writing, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> pre-numeracy) skills programmes, pre-school programmes for the disadvantaged,<br />
introducti<strong>on</strong> of play groups <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> kindergarten classes in English medium schools, pre-primary religious<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>/makhtabs, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> literacy skills training in day care centres. MoWCA has started implementing ECD<br />
project in 2001 implemented by Bangladesh Shishu Academy (BSA) with the major activities of advocacy,<br />
mobilizati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> communicati<strong>on</strong>; Care givers educati<strong>on</strong>; School readiness <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Networking <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Capacity<br />
Building of partner organizati<strong>on</strong>s. BSA has been implementing the pre-school activities in all 64 districts.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tinued advocacy efforts of the ECD Project have generated high prioritisati<strong>on</strong> of early childhood<br />
development am<strong>on</strong>g Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other partners. A new similar project titled Early Learning for<br />
Development Project (ELDP) has been started with some added focuses.<br />
Government primary schools also provide pre-school learning activities. Several NGO/community/individuals<br />
have initiated their own pre-primary instituti<strong>on</strong>s in collaborati<strong>on</strong> with the Government. One example is the<br />
agreement between the Ministry of Primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Mass Educati<strong>on</strong> (MoPME) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> BRAC Educati<strong>on</strong> Programme<br />
that has opened 15,000 pre-primary schools.<br />
The number of advocacy workshops held with the participati<strong>on</strong> of policy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> decisi<strong>on</strong> makers, service providers<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> community leaders reached 16,060 in 2005. More than 14,000 fr<strong>on</strong>tline workers of the Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
other project partners have been trained to provide caregiver educati<strong>on</strong>. A nati<strong>on</strong>al communicati<strong>on</strong> campaign <strong>on</strong><br />
ECD utilising a wide mix of mass media <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> interpers<strong>on</strong>al communicators has been developed for launching at<br />
the beginning of 2006.<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Centre-based group learning activities have been initiated for 20,600 children in selected urban slums <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> for<br />
20,587 children in three districts of the Chittag<strong>on</strong>g Hill Tracts (CHT). An evaluati<strong>on</strong> of the group learning<br />
activities in CHT showed positive results in terms of school readiness. The trained fr<strong>on</strong>tline workers have<br />
provided educati<strong>on</strong> to thous<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s of caregivers.<br />
The MoPME is now working for development of a Pre-primary Educati<strong>on</strong> Framework. The Working Group<br />
c<strong>on</strong>stituted for the purpose has already drafted the framework, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> awaiting approval for<br />
introducti<strong>on</strong>/implementati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
7.2.3 Primary educati<strong>on</strong><br />
During the decade of 90s, gross <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> net enrolment rate, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> completi<strong>on</strong> rates at primary level all increased<br />
significantly. One of the important factors in this improvement was enactment of Compulsory Primary Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
Law in 1990 (for children aged 6 to 10 years). Incentive in the form of rati<strong>on</strong>, stipends, food for educati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
stipend for around 40 percent poor students in the rural areas, free distributi<strong>on</strong> of books, etc.. Primary educati<strong>on</strong><br />
is currently provided through eleven different types of instituti<strong>on</strong>s, maintaining a gross enrolment rate (GER) of<br />
97 percent since 2002. About 320,000 teachers are presently employed in 78,126 instituti<strong>on</strong>s, the teacher<br />
student ratio being 1:47 in 2005, compared to 1:55 in 2000. There is variati<strong>on</strong> in the ratio between locati<strong>on</strong>s, but<br />
classroom over-crowding is quite comm<strong>on</strong> in most schools.<br />
Table 7.1: Growth of Primary Schools, Students <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Teachers<br />
Year Number of Schools Number of Students Number of Teachers Student/<br />
Govt. N<strong>on</strong>-govt Total % Total % % Total % Teacher<br />
Increase Increase Girls Female Ratio<br />
1995 3,7710 25310 63020 - 17133186 - 47.1 258,884 24.2 66.18<br />
2000 37677 40455 78126 8.5 17659220 3.1 48.9 320,694 33.8 55.07<br />
2005 37672 42725 80397 2.9 16225658 (8.10) 50.1 344,789 36.3 47.00<br />
Source: BANBEIS<br />
The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is also <strong>on</strong> increase. The NER of children at primary level has increased from<br />
82.7 percent in 2003 to 87.2 percent in 2005.<br />
The drop out rate has g<strong>on</strong>e down from 35 percent in 2000 to 33 percent in 2002, further dropped to 32 percent<br />
in 2004, indicating that still a large number of students cannot complete the primary educati<strong>on</strong>. BBS reports<br />
suggest that in 2004, the drop out rate varied between 34 percent of boys against 31 of girls, with slight variati<strong>on</strong><br />
between urban (31 percent) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rural (34 percent). In primary level, repetiti<strong>on</strong> rate is 10.5% <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> attendance rate<br />
st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s at 77 percent (MoPME).<br />
Studies carried out by Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) <strong>on</strong> primary educati<strong>on</strong> provide<br />
several important c<strong>on</strong>clusi<strong>on</strong>s. These show that access to primary educati<strong>on</strong> is found to be highly correlated<br />
with family resources <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> parental educati<strong>on</strong> while progressi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> performance in primary educati<strong>on</strong> is<br />
significantly correlated with instituti<strong>on</strong>al factors i.e. quality of teachers, c<strong>on</strong>tact hour, physical infrastructure <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
school management. It has not been possible to bring all children to school in neither the formal system nor the<br />
n<strong>on</strong>-formal stream. Available statistics <strong>on</strong> exclusi<strong>on</strong> indicate that children never enrolled <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children enrolled<br />
but dropped out account for nearly <strong>on</strong>e-fifth of the primary school age group.<br />
The causes of exclusi<strong>on</strong> are social, ec<strong>on</strong>omic, physical as well as envir<strong>on</strong>mental. N<strong>on</strong>-enrolment varies<br />
between the regi<strong>on</strong>s of the country. The statistics indicate that a significant percentage of boys <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> girls from<br />
71
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
below-poverty level families which account for about 40 percent, remain excluded from primary educati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Although primary educati<strong>on</strong> is officially free <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> universal, there are other direct costs i.e., admissi<strong>on</strong> fee,<br />
examinati<strong>on</strong> fee, day observati<strong>on</strong> fee, pe<strong>on</strong> fee, utility fees etc. Besides, there are incidental costs, e.g.<br />
transport, dress etc.<br />
Table 7.2: Gross Enrolment Status by Poverty <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Locati<strong>on</strong>, 2000 (% of age cohort)<br />
Group Urban Rural Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total<br />
Poor 81. 2 88. 8 84. 9 82. 1 87. 3 84. 6 82. 0 87. 5 84. 6<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-poor 104. 8 97. 3 101. 1 99. 1 101. 8 100. 4 100. 3 100. 8 100. 5<br />
Total 93. 5 93. 3 93. 4 88. 6 92. 7 92. 7 90. 6 92. 8 91. 1<br />
Source: World Bank: 2002 World Development Indicators, Washingt<strong>on</strong> D.C <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics: Populati<strong>on</strong> Census<br />
2001, Preliminary <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>, Dhaka.<br />
The Government is committed to achieve total enrolment by 2015 with maintaining quality. The Government<br />
under the multi year <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> multi comp<strong>on</strong>ent PEDP-II has adopted a programme approach to address the<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cerns of primary educati<strong>on</strong> with many-fold focus: increasing number of teachers, class room <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
infrastructure; improving class room envir<strong>on</strong>ment; enhancing training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other incentives for teacher as well as<br />
systemizing teacher recruit procedure <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> strengthening management practices in the schools.<br />
One of the important initiatives of the State Party is development of Grade-I level books in two tribal languages,<br />
namely Murma <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Bom, in cooperati<strong>on</strong> with a nati<strong>on</strong>al NGO. As a pilot project, local languages would be the<br />
medium of instructi<strong>on</strong>s for Grade-I students of these tribal groups in B<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>arban district in CHT from next<br />
academic sessi<strong>on</strong> (2008). Government has already decided to exp<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the programme incorporating other tribal<br />
languages by phases. Research to this effect is being c<strong>on</strong>ducted<br />
7.2.4 N<strong>on</strong>-formal educati<strong>on</strong><br />
The Government has been implementing massive N<strong>on</strong>-formal Educati<strong>on</strong> (NFE) programme since 1990s,<br />
focusing <strong>on</strong> basic literacy in achieving universal coverage. The Bureau of N<strong>on</strong>-Formal Educati<strong>on</strong> (BNFE) was<br />
established by the Government during the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing period, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a nati<strong>on</strong>al n<strong>on</strong>-formal educati<strong>on</strong> policy<br />
framework has been prepared <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> approved in January 2006.<br />
The Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> over a thous<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs, a large number of CBOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> religious instituti<strong>on</strong>s provide n<strong>on</strong>formal<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> to children. There are several target groups for n<strong>on</strong>-formal approach, i.e. (a) early child<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>; (b) basic literacy to targeted groups; (c) adult literacy for male <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> females; (d) c<strong>on</strong>tinuing educati<strong>on</strong><br />
for neo-literates <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> (e) skill development for income generati<strong>on</strong>, promoti<strong>on</strong> of quality of life <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> living <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
creating civic awareness.<br />
The n<strong>on</strong>-formal educati<strong>on</strong> that NGOs have generally provided incorporates basic literacy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> numeracy for the<br />
dropouts or the disadvantaged <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adolescents. Some large NGOs have progressed to provide core primary<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> besides the learning materials <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> pedagogy they use as supplementary learning materials. The<br />
adolescent programme is designed to give the dropouts <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> disadvantaged a sec<strong>on</strong>d programme. As<br />
menti<strong>on</strong>ed earlier, the cooperati<strong>on</strong> between NGO, CBO <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Government has been strengthened to implement<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> promote the n<strong>on</strong>-formal educati<strong>on</strong>al activities. Under an agreement between the MoPME <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> BRAC, the<br />
latter has been operating around 25,000 n<strong>on</strong>-formal schools.<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
The Basic Educati<strong>on</strong> for Hard to Reach Urban Working Children (BEHTRUC) Sec<strong>on</strong>d Phase has been made<br />
operati<strong>on</strong>al from 2006. During the project period a total of 200,000 urban working children will be enrolled in a<br />
life skills based n<strong>on</strong>-formal educati<strong>on</strong> course specifically developed for them, c<strong>on</strong>sisting of five learning cycles<br />
of eight m<strong>on</strong>ths each. The preparatory phase of the Time Bound Programme (TBP) for the Eliminati<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL) has completed in December 2006. The programme is led by ILO in<br />
partnership with UNICEF <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ADB under the Ministry of Labour <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Employment (MOLE). The implementati<strong>on</strong><br />
of the programme started with comp<strong>on</strong>ent programme titled TBP-Urban Informal Ec<strong>on</strong>omy.<br />
7.2.5 Sec<strong>on</strong>dary educati<strong>on</strong><br />
The sec<strong>on</strong>dary school system is as diverse as the primary system except that NGOs are not involved in the<br />
same scale. More than 98 percent sec<strong>on</strong>dary schools are private; however, the Government pays 90 percent<br />
of teacher <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> staff salary of these instituti<strong>on</strong>s. The number of student in sec<strong>on</strong>dary school educati<strong>on</strong> is about<br />
7.90 milli<strong>on</strong>, of whom over 53 percent are female. At sec<strong>on</strong>dary level the rate of student to teacher is 40:1.<br />
There are several sec<strong>on</strong>dary educati<strong>on</strong> programmes undertaken by Government. Sec<strong>on</strong>dary Educati<strong>on</strong> Sector<br />
Improvement Project (SEISP), 1999-2005, has attempting to provide policy support, decentralise <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
strengthen sector management, privatise textbook producti<strong>on</strong>, reform the examinati<strong>on</strong> process, improve teacher<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>, strengthen school management, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> improve school assets in underserved areas. The recent<br />
Teaching Quality Improvement Project in sec<strong>on</strong>dary educati<strong>on</strong> is attempting to improve the teachers’ training<br />
colleges <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in-service training. It also seeks to ensure that teachers from remote rural areas have equitable<br />
access to the project.<br />
Table 7.3: Sec<strong>on</strong>dary Instituti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Enrolment: 2001<br />
Type Ownership Schools/Instituti<strong>on</strong>s Total Enrolment Total Teachers<br />
(# Student)<br />
2001 2005 2001 2005 2001 2005<br />
Junior Government - - - - - -<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary<br />
Private 3245 4322 732298 910914 211311 36122<br />
(60%) (58%) (10%) (20%)<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary Government 317 317 221215 221887 6913 7452<br />
(46%) (47%) (35%) (31%)<br />
Private 12604 18183 6933497 6265751 155053 230706<br />
(53%) (51.6%) (15%) (20%)<br />
Dakhil Government - - - - - -<br />
Private 5391 6688 1055791 2236025 67026 98123<br />
(54%) (52%) (5%) (10%)<br />
Vocati<strong>on</strong>al Government 143 180 6339 48419 2284 2939<br />
(13%) (13%) (13%) (12%)<br />
Private 522 1368 38622 112425 2247 8126<br />
(37%) (29%) (26%) (23%)<br />
Source:<br />
Note:<br />
Bangladesh Bureau of Educati<strong>on</strong>al Informati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Statistics (BANBEIS).<br />
Figures in the bracket indicate female share<br />
73
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
The first <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sec<strong>on</strong>d phases of English Language Teaching Improvement Project (ELTIP) were implemented<br />
during 1997-2002 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 2002-2005 towards reducing the quality gap between urban <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rural areas. The third<br />
phase of ELTIP, 2005-2008 is now under implementati<strong>on</strong> with the major comp<strong>on</strong>ents of increasing teachers<br />
training facilities, providing management training of pers<strong>on</strong>nel <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> providing teaching facilities to un-served<br />
areas. A N<strong>on</strong>-government Teachers’ Registrati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Certificati<strong>on</strong> Authority (NTRCA) has been established in<br />
order to ensure recruitment of quality teacher for all sec<strong>on</strong>dary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> post sec<strong>on</strong>dary educati<strong>on</strong>al institutes. The<br />
aim is to have all teachers certified <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> registered as qualified for teaching by this Authority.<br />
Coverage <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> access to sec<strong>on</strong>dary educati<strong>on</strong> t has been increasing. Gender parity in terms of enrolment has<br />
been achieved, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rural <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> urban gap has been declining.<br />
Gross enrolment rate at junior sec<strong>on</strong>dary level (grade 6-8) is 55 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> net enrolment rate is 48 percent.<br />
At the higher sec<strong>on</strong>dary level (grade 9-10) the GER <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NER are 42 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 31 percent respectively<br />
(BANBEIS). The combined GER in sec<strong>on</strong>dary school st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s at 42.66 percent (girls-47.17 percent). The overall<br />
attendance rate is 68.10 percent (68.52 by girls).<br />
A total of 36 percent male <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 44 percent female students are attending sec<strong>on</strong>dary school at their proper ages<br />
(MICS 2006). 41 percent rural students <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 52 percent of urban students are attending sec<strong>on</strong>dary school at<br />
their appropriate ages.<br />
7.2.6 Madrasah educati<strong>on</strong><br />
In 2002, there were 3,443 Ebtedayee (Primary) Madrasah in the country. In additi<strong>on</strong>, there were 3,574<br />
Madrasah which had Ebtedayee secti<strong>on</strong>. This together account for nearly 9 percent of all instituti<strong>on</strong>s offering<br />
primary educati<strong>on</strong> in the country. They had 458,751 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 465,977 students respectively of whom 50 percent<br />
were girls. These students accounted for about 5 percent of all students at primary level. These Madrasahs had<br />
a total number of 28,285 teachers which is about 8 percent of all teachers employed at the primary level. There<br />
has been remarkable growth of Madrasah with primary secti<strong>on</strong>, by about 50 percent in the five year period of<br />
1996-2001.<br />
In 2001, there were 5,391 private Madrasahs offering sec<strong>on</strong>dary level educati<strong>on</strong>, of which 701 were exclusively<br />
for girls. There were 47,514 teachers at that level of whom 2,462 were female teachers. The number of students<br />
at this level was about 650,000 of which 50 percent were girls, indicating achievement of gender equality.<br />
Madrasah Educati<strong>on</strong> Board oversees the entire system of Madrasah educati<strong>on</strong>. Earlier this educati<strong>on</strong> prevailed<br />
outside the mainstream system. Currently, the Government is providing equivalence with the regular school<br />
programme, through the introducti<strong>on</strong> of mainstream subjects such as English, social Science <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Science.<br />
7.2.7 Vocati<strong>on</strong>al training<br />
Vocati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> technical educati<strong>on</strong> is under the c<strong>on</strong>trol of the Board of Technical Educati<strong>on</strong> of the Ministry of<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong>, though other ministries such as Ministry of Labour <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Employment (MoLE), Ministry of Youth <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Sports (MoYS), Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW), MoWCA etc provide vocati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> technical training. The<br />
main instituti<strong>on</strong>s offering vocati<strong>on</strong>al training at sec<strong>on</strong>dary level are 64 Vocati<strong>on</strong>al Training Institutes (VTI) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
13 Technical Training Centres (TTCs). At present, there are around 15,000 students (10 percent female), are<br />
attending these instituti<strong>on</strong>s. There are other technical <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vocati<strong>on</strong>al instituti<strong>on</strong>s operated by both government<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> n<strong>on</strong>-government authorities.<br />
At higher sec<strong>on</strong>dary level, Government Polytechnic Institutes (20), Commercial Institutes (16), other singlepurpose<br />
instituti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> affiliated n<strong>on</strong>-government instituti<strong>on</strong>s offer a variety of courses which lead to diplomas<br />
in technical <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other vocati<strong>on</strong>al subjects.<br />
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There are several specialised projects (or comp<strong>on</strong>ent of a project where vocati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> technical training are<br />
provided. The ARISE project, initially supported by UNDP <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> mow by UNICE (under different nomenclature),<br />
for example, started in 1998 aims to improve the educati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vocati<strong>on</strong>al training facilities available to street<br />
children as a c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong> to the overall fulfilment of their rights. This will involve the provisi<strong>on</strong> of learning<br />
opportunities in n<strong>on</strong>-formal settings. ILO-IPEC is another good example of such initiative. A good number of<br />
NGOs in the recent years have started providing different types of technical training either <strong>on</strong> their own or in<br />
associati<strong>on</strong> with Government in order to develop the skills of the target groups.<br />
7.2.8 School discipline<br />
One of the objectives of the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> for Children, 2005-2010 is to help teachers to ensure that<br />
no corporal punishment is used against children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that discipline in school respects the dignity of the child.<br />
All the c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s at Divisi<strong>on</strong>al levels including those of children organized for collecting <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> validating<br />
informati<strong>on</strong> in c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong> with this <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> informed that the awareness of all stakeholders has increased, the<br />
school management committees are being increasingly involved in operati<strong>on</strong> of the schools <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the teachers<br />
more student-friendly than before resulting, am<strong>on</strong>g others, notable reducti<strong>on</strong> of corporal punishment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
improved discipline in the primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sec<strong>on</strong>dary educati<strong>on</strong>al instituti<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
Efforts by government, NGOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> civil societies towards enhancing physical facilities, increasing the number of<br />
teachers, providing different types of training, strengthening school management committees etc are the<br />
important factor behind improvement of discipline in the schools. Improvement of school discipline is a vital part<br />
of all categories of training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> awareness building provided to stakeholders, starting from parents <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> care<br />
givers to management committee members.<br />
7.2.9 Literacy rate<br />
The rate of literacy of populati<strong>on</strong> 15 years <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> above is estimated at around 52 percent in 2004, a significant<br />
improvement over a rate of around 30 percent since 1990 (BBS). Generally, the rate of literacy is much higher<br />
in urban area (68 percent), compared to rural area (47 percent) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> gender wise, females are less literate (46<br />
percent) than males (57 percent).<br />
The MICS 2006 shows that nati<strong>on</strong>ally, 70 percent women aged 15-24 years were literate, which is more or less<br />
in c<strong>on</strong>formity to nati<strong>on</strong>al statistics estimated by BBS. The rate in rural area was 68 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> urban area 75<br />
percent; very low in slums (38 percent) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> tribal areas (55 percent). This rate varies between the Divisi<strong>on</strong>s,<br />
from 63 percent to 74 percent. There was str<strong>on</strong>g co-relati<strong>on</strong> between literacy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> socio-ec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
status of the household.<br />
The Government in collaborati<strong>on</strong> with NGOs are implementing different interventi<strong>on</strong>s to make the literacy<br />
programme more effective <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> targeting to serve more than 1.66 milli<strong>on</strong> people under Total Literacy Movement<br />
(TLM) course.<br />
7.2.10Financing of educati<strong>on</strong> sector<br />
A. Budget allocati<strong>on</strong><br />
The Government allocates highest budgetary resources in the educati<strong>on</strong> sector. There is an overall c<strong>on</strong>sistency<br />
in development budget (Annual Development Programme) in educati<strong>on</strong>, allocating more than 13% of the total<br />
budget since 1990. The total development budget allocati<strong>on</strong>s, as shown in Table below, for the sector increased<br />
from Taka 21,710 milli<strong>on</strong> in 200-/02 to Taka 35,950 milli<strong>on</strong> in 2006-07, an increase by 65 percent within a period<br />
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of 7 years. Of the total allocati<strong>on</strong> under Educati<strong>on</strong> Sector, the share of primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> n<strong>on</strong>-formal educati<strong>on</strong> subsector<br />
was nearly half until 2005-06, escalated to around two-thirds in fiscal 2007-08. Public expenditure in<br />
terms of share of GDP in Educati<strong>on</strong> sector is a little over 2.4 percent.<br />
Table 7.4: Budget Allocati<strong>on</strong> under Annual Development Programme (ADP)<br />
Year Total Development Primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Mass Educati<strong>on</strong> Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
Budget<br />
(part of Educati<strong>on</strong> budget)<br />
(Taka in milli<strong>on</strong>)<br />
2001/02 160,000 14,053 (8.8%) 21,710 (13.6%)<br />
2002/03 171,000 14,466 (8.5%) 25,520 (14.9%)<br />
2003/04 203,000 11,058 (5.5%) 27,110 (13.4%)<br />
2004/05 220,000 15,957 (7.3%) 31,410 (14.3%)<br />
2005/06 245,000 16,660 (6.8%) 32,970 (13.5%)<br />
2006/07 260,000 19,920 (7.7%) 38,650 (14.9%)<br />
2007/08 270,000 22,800 (8.4%) 35,950 (13.0%)<br />
Source: Annual Budget for 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07;Finance Divisi<strong>on</strong>, Ministry of Finance; (Exchange rate<br />
of 1 US$= Taka 70.0)<br />
The focus of the Government’s deliberati<strong>on</strong> is educati<strong>on</strong> of the child, which includes early child educati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
primary educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sec<strong>on</strong>dary educati<strong>on</strong>. Informati<strong>on</strong> available from BANBEIS provides the following<br />
distributi<strong>on</strong> of public expenditure in the educati<strong>on</strong> sector.<br />
Table 7.5: Distributi<strong>on</strong> of Government Revenue Budget<br />
(as % of Educati<strong>on</strong> Sector Budget)<br />
Type of Educati<strong>on</strong> 2000/01 2006/07<br />
Primary 37. 8 33.7<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary 23. 7 23.4<br />
College (general) 14. 0 14.0<br />
Madrashah 11.4 11.2<br />
Technical 1. 2 0.9<br />
University 8. 1 8.2<br />
Teachers Training 0. 6 0.5<br />
Cadet College 0. 5 0.2<br />
Others, Administrative & Departments 2. 7 7.9<br />
Source:<br />
BANBEIS<br />
B. Internati<strong>on</strong>al assistance<br />
The Government’s primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> mass educati<strong>on</strong> programmes have been generously supported by the following<br />
internati<strong>on</strong>al development partners:<br />
United Nati<strong>on</strong>s agencies – UNICEF, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA<br />
Financial instituti<strong>on</strong>s – World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, Asian Development Bank<br />
Bilateral d<strong>on</strong>ors – DFID, GTZ, OPEC, Saudi Fund for Development, NORAD, Sida, SDC, JICA, CIDA, USAID.<br />
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7.3 Aims of educati<strong>on</strong> with reference also to<br />
quality of educati<strong>on</strong><br />
Bangladesh has dem<strong>on</strong>strated a high level of commitment to primary educati<strong>on</strong> since it became a party to the<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> for All (EFA) goals adopted in World C<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong> Educati<strong>on</strong> for All in Jomtien in 1990. Despite the<br />
achievements <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> success, major challenges still remain in respect of quality of educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> learning<br />
outcomes, as well as access to <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> participati<strong>on</strong> of a large number of children most of whom are poor <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
disadvantaged.<br />
Studies indicate that those who complete five years of primary schooling, a significant number of them (some<br />
36 percent) do not achieve the desired level of competency. The factors that c<strong>on</strong>tinue to influence performance<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> quality include crowded classrooms with poor physical facilities in the instituti<strong>on</strong>s, high student teacher ratio,<br />
low teacher-student c<strong>on</strong>tact hours, poor quality of teachers, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> poor quality of learning materials, ineffective<br />
teaching-learning methods, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> unfavourable home c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>, particularly in the poor households.<br />
One of the main initiatives taken by the Government to address the issue of quality was through the IDEAL<br />
Project, implemented in 32 out of 64 districts covering 7.3 milli<strong>on</strong> children during 1998 to 2004. The project<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tributed to teaching-learning improvements in primary schools <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> introducti<strong>on</strong> of Multiple Ways of Teaching<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Learning (MWTL). The major interventi<strong>on</strong>s included professi<strong>on</strong>al competency development of primary<br />
school teachers, community involvement in planning <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> management of schools, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> supervisi<strong>on</strong> of<br />
management training for supervisors. Most features of IDEAL project have been incorporated in the PEDP II<br />
programme <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> are being c<strong>on</strong>tinued.<br />
Despite this success, it is widely perceived that much needs to be d<strong>on</strong>e to improve the quality of educati<strong>on</strong>. To<br />
address this, the Government has recently adopted the PEDP II, a sub-sector approach to primary educati<strong>on</strong><br />
aimed at removing coordinati<strong>on</strong> problems <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> addressing systemic <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> policy issues. The overall goals of<br />
PEDP II are to:<br />
Increase primary school access, participati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> completi<strong>on</strong> in accordance with Government’s Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> Policy (NEP) 2000, Educati<strong>on</strong> for All (EFA) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other policy commitments.<br />
Improve the quality of student learning <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> performance outcomes (i.e. achievement).<br />
PEDP II is being implemented in all the 64 districts covering more than 65,000 primary schools for approximately<br />
19 milli<strong>on</strong> children aged between 6-10 years. Eleven d<strong>on</strong>ors <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> development partners are supporting the<br />
project.<br />
During 2005 a new initiative was undertaken to introduce Life Skills-based Educati<strong>on</strong> (LSBE) in sec<strong>on</strong>dary<br />
schools. UNICEF is working jointly with the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Curriculum <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Textbook Board (NCTB) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Directorate<br />
of Sec<strong>on</strong>dary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Higher Sec<strong>on</strong>dary Educati<strong>on</strong> (DSHE). Curriculum <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> formal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> n<strong>on</strong>-formal materials have<br />
been developed, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> workshops <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> training c<strong>on</strong>ducted <strong>on</strong> LSBE. A working group has been formed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
trained to take the work forward in the next country programme.<br />
In recent years there has been a thorough revisi<strong>on</strong> of the primary curriculum <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> new textbooks have been<br />
developed. As part of this exercise, gender biases have been removed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>cepts of envir<strong>on</strong>mental<br />
awareness <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sustainable development introduced.<br />
The State Party has initiated the decentralizati<strong>on</strong> of primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sec<strong>on</strong>dary educati<strong>on</strong> management structure.<br />
Uni-track curriculum in sec<strong>on</strong>dary level has been introduced since 2006. Privatizati<strong>on</strong> of text book producti<strong>on</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> publicati<strong>on</strong> has started for sec<strong>on</strong>dary level (grade 6-10) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> by 2007 all books under sec<strong>on</strong>dary level will<br />
be privatized.<br />
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Reorganizati<strong>on</strong> of Nati<strong>on</strong>al Curriculum <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Tex Book Board, establishing two units (Curriculum <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Text book),<br />
has been started with the objective to deliver quality output by each unit. On important functi<strong>on</strong> of the Curriculum<br />
Unit would be development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> modernizati<strong>on</strong> of Sec<strong>on</strong>dary, Technical <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Madrasah Curricula. A separate<br />
entity named Independent Textbook Evaluati<strong>on</strong> (ITEC) has been established. Computers are being distributed<br />
to schools <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Madrasahs, with provisi<strong>on</strong> of training to teachers for computer applicati<strong>on</strong>. Other activities for<br />
improvement of overall educati<strong>on</strong> quality include: strengthening m<strong>on</strong>itoring <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> overseeing, re-organizing<br />
Management Committees/Governing bodies of educati<strong>on</strong>al schools, reforming existing examinati<strong>on</strong> system,<br />
delivery of text book to the student in time, strengthening teachers training etc.<br />
7.4 Rest, leisure, recreati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> cultural <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> artistic activities<br />
The State is resp<strong>on</strong>sible for ensuring the right of citizens to reas<strong>on</strong>able rest, recreati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> leisure.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>al obligati<strong>on</strong> of the State is to adopt measures to ‘c<strong>on</strong>serve the cultural traditi<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> heritage of the<br />
people’ <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to ‘foster <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> improve the nati<strong>on</strong>al language, literature <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the arts’ so as to give all secti<strong>on</strong>s of the<br />
populati<strong>on</strong> an opportunity to c<strong>on</strong>tribute towards <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> participate in the enrichment of the nati<strong>on</strong>al culture.<br />
Because of the available space <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> general envir<strong>on</strong>ment, children in rural areas have more scope for play <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
recreati<strong>on</strong> than those living in urban areas. In terms of access to recreati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> cultural facilities, children from<br />
families of higher socio-ec<strong>on</strong>omic status are in a much better positi<strong>on</strong> than those from disadvantaged families.<br />
This is qualified, however, by the excessive pressure <strong>on</strong> many such children to study hard to achieve academic<br />
success, which leaves them with little leisure time.<br />
Working children (especially child domestics) are often deprived of opportunities for leisure, recreati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> even<br />
rest because of their l<strong>on</strong>g working hours <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> irregular holidays. One of a number of televisi<strong>on</strong> spots recently<br />
produced by the Government aims to sensitize employers of child domestics <strong>on</strong> the latter’s right to take time off<br />
from work to play. This point is also emphasized in social mobilizati<strong>on</strong> activities under n<strong>on</strong>-formal educati<strong>on</strong><br />
programmes for working children.<br />
In order to increase family’s knowledge about early childhood development, through the Early Childhood<br />
Development project, awareness building <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> capacity building of different stakeholders were carried out at a<br />
large scale. These increased awareness <strong>on</strong> the importance of play <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> assist them to create a stimulating<br />
envir<strong>on</strong>ment to promote their young children’s all-round development.<br />
In towns <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> cities, the Bangladesh Shishu (Children’s) Academy organizes cultural programmes including<br />
painting, drama, poetry recitati<strong>on</strong>, dance, singing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> playing musical instruments. Children also have access<br />
to nati<strong>on</strong>al cultural instituti<strong>on</strong>s such as the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Museum <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Academy of Fine Arts. Children of higher<br />
socioec<strong>on</strong>omic groups can avail these facilities relatively more.<br />
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VIII.<br />
SPECIAL<br />
PROTECTION<br />
MEASURES<br />
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8.1 Measures taken <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>cluding observati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Bangladesh has not yet ratified the UN C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951. Also there is no<br />
legislati<strong>on</strong> for the refugees in the country. Since 1991 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are staying in<br />
Bangladesh. In associati<strong>on</strong> with UNHCR, under a Memor<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>um of Underst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing (MOU), the State party is<br />
providing supports to the refugees living in two camps in terms of shelter, healthcare services <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> educati<strong>on</strong> to<br />
children etc. The unaccompanied children are also provided with adequate supports <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> protecti<strong>on</strong>. Refugee<br />
children born in Bangladesh are duly registered. There are also many immigrants from Myanmar who live in<br />
make-shift camps near the river Teknaf.<br />
The Government is very much c<strong>on</strong>cerned about child labour <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> is increasingly undertaking different poverty<br />
focused programmes for reducti<strong>on</strong> of child labour through facilitating access to educati<strong>on</strong>, with collaborati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
NGOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> development partners. A comprehensive Time Bound Programme (2004-15) for eradicating child<br />
labour has been undertaken with the support of development partners. There are several other projects also<br />
addressing the issues of hazardous child labour, street children etc. Micro credit programmes, for example, is<br />
increasing at a geometric rate helping eradicate poverty. A comprehensive survey <strong>on</strong> hazardous child labour has<br />
been c<strong>on</strong>ducted by BBS with the support of ILO in 2005. Though not very comprehensive, some surveys <strong>on</strong><br />
street children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> domestic labour have been also c<strong>on</strong>ducted.<br />
Bangladesh has ratified the ILO C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>-182 c<strong>on</strong>cerning the Prohibiti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Immediate Acti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong><br />
Eliminati<strong>on</strong> of Worst Forms of Child Labour in 2001. A Child Labour Policy, dealing am<strong>on</strong>g others with age of<br />
admissi<strong>on</strong> into employment (in reference to ILO C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>-138), has been drafted <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> awaiting approval. The<br />
country’s Labour Law has been enacted in 2006. The Mines (Amendment) Act, 2004 has revised the age of<br />
children who can be engaged in mines from 15 years to 18 years to c<strong>on</strong>form to the <strong>CRC</strong>. The State Party is in<br />
the process of increase the number of Labour Inspectors significantly. Over the years, the employment of child<br />
labour in garments <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in other sectors, has decreased, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> many of the children are attending schools anew.<br />
M<strong>on</strong>itoring system of activities related to women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child protecti<strong>on</strong> issues has by <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> large been strengthened<br />
through developing new tools <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> mechanisms. The system covers, inter alia, issues c<strong>on</strong>cerning sexual<br />
exploitati<strong>on</strong>, sale, trafficking <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> abducti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children in c<strong>on</strong>flict/c<strong>on</strong>tact with law. Follow up acti<strong>on</strong>s are taken<br />
based <strong>on</strong> the m<strong>on</strong>itoring reports. Meetings <strong>on</strong> law <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> order particularly with reference to abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> violence<br />
against children are more regularly held <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> situati<strong>on</strong> assessed for taking measures <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> identifying future<br />
course of acti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The Government has enacted a number of laws to address violence against children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> women, such as The<br />
Suppressi<strong>on</strong> of Violence against Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children Act, 2000, The Acid C<strong>on</strong>trol Act, 2002, The Acid Crimes<br />
Preventi<strong>on</strong> Act, 2002, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> The Law <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Order Disrupti<strong>on</strong> Crimes (Speedy Trial) Act, 2002. Offenders are now<br />
being arrested <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> tried in more number than before. Police administrati<strong>on</strong> is being modernized. One Stop<br />
Crisis Centre (OCC) has been in operati<strong>on</strong> in all 6 Divisi<strong>on</strong>s for supporting the woman victims. Al<strong>on</strong>g with the<br />
Government, NGOs are increasingly getting involved <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> working in advocacy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> awareness programmes.<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> against Sexual Exploitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Abuse of Children, including Trafficking (NPA-SEACT)<br />
has been formulated. A regi<strong>on</strong>al strategy to combat child sexual abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sexual exploitati<strong>on</strong> of children was<br />
adopted by all seven South Asian Countries in Dhaka.<br />
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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
The steps of the Government in order to improve the juvenile justice, include, am<strong>on</strong>g others:<br />
Raised the age of criminal resp<strong>on</strong>sibility from 7 to 9 years<br />
Established a Committee to review the laws c<strong>on</strong>cerning juvenile justice<br />
Establishment of 4 Divisi<strong>on</strong>al Juvenile Courts of Sessi<strong>on</strong>s is under process<br />
Established a high level Juvenile Justice Tasks Force, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> identified priority areas of acti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Tasks<br />
Forces were c<strong>on</strong>stituted at district <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sub-district (Upazila) level<br />
A committee involving all c<strong>on</strong>cerned Ministries, Departments <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Organizati<strong>on</strong>s to m<strong>on</strong>itor the<br />
implementati<strong>on</strong> of Children Act, 1974 has been c<strong>on</strong>stituted.<br />
Arranged advocacy, meetings <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> workshops collaborati<strong>on</strong> with NGOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Government throughout the<br />
country<br />
Developed training materials <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> provided training to judges, magistrates, police, social welfare officials<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other c<strong>on</strong>cerned <strong>on</strong> juvenile justice.<br />
Some bold Suo Moto orders were issued by the High Court Divisi<strong>on</strong> in the recent years in light of the Children<br />
Act, 1974 upholding children’s rights <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> protecti<strong>on</strong>. In <strong>on</strong>e judgement passed in 2005, the Court also observed<br />
that ‘as a signatory to the C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>, Bangladesh is duty bound to reflect the above Article (article 40) as well<br />
as other articles in <strong>CRC</strong> in our nati<strong>on</strong>al laws. We are of the view that the time is ripe for our legislature to enact<br />
laws in c<strong>on</strong>formity with the UN<strong>CRC</strong>’.<br />
Table 8.1: Repartriati<strong>on</strong> Statistics of Rohingya Refugee<br />
Year Repartriati<strong>on</strong> (pers<strong>on</strong>) Cumulative (pers<strong>on</strong>)<br />
1992-2001 232,325 232,325<br />
2002 760 233,085<br />
2003 3,231 236,316<br />
2004 210 236,526<br />
2005 92 236,618<br />
2006 - 236.618<br />
Source: UNHCR<br />
All these resulted in significant reducti<strong>on</strong> of c<strong>on</strong>finement of children in jail. While the total number of Children in<br />
c<strong>on</strong>finement was 1303 in Jails in 2003, the number decreased to 395 in June 2007. The number of children kept<br />
with adult pris<strong>on</strong>ers in Jails has reduced over the years. One day-care centre for the children of the female<br />
inmates of jail is running in Dhaka central Jail.<br />
8.2 Children in situati<strong>on</strong> of emergency<br />
8.2.1. Refugee children<br />
The Rohingya coming form Myanmar since 1991 is the <strong>on</strong>ly people to whom Bangladesh has given refugee<br />
status. Over 250,000 refugees are estimated to arrive in Bangladesh since 1991 from Myanmar. Out of them,<br />
around 21,000 are living in 2 camps in Cox’s Bazar district, some are living in make-shift houses <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> around<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
236,000 have been repatriated. Neither there is legislati<strong>on</strong> for the refugees in the country nor has it ratified the<br />
UN C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951, however, the government provides services to the<br />
Rohingyas under an MOU with UNHCR which coordinates the process of repatriati<strong>on</strong>, ensures that refugees<br />
are repatriated strictly <strong>on</strong> voluntary basis.<br />
The Refugees living in the camps are provided with food, shelter, health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sanitati<strong>on</strong> facilities, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> informal<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> at primary level. Health services include: immunizati<strong>on</strong>, family planning, antenatal care, screening for<br />
malnutriti<strong>on</strong>, supplementary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> therapeutic feeding, vitamin-A distributi<strong>on</strong>, curative health services, deworming<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> health educati<strong>on</strong>. Transfer to local hospitals is arranged, if needed.<br />
There are a total of 16 schools (8 per camp), each staffed by a 5 teachers. 93 percent children of school age<br />
are enrolled; average attendance rate is 87 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> average teacher to student ratio st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s at 1.32.<br />
The Government maintains law <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> order. NGOs are involved in building awareness <strong>on</strong> protecti<strong>on</strong> issues, such<br />
as domestic <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sexual violence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> trafficking. In case of any incidence of violence or abuse, children can<br />
complain directly to UNHCR or NGO field staff. Counselling is also given where appropriate. The vulnerable<br />
unaccompanied refugee children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> women are given safety <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> security in the camps. Children, both<br />
accompanied <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> unaccompanied, are registered at birth or at the time of arrival.<br />
8.2.2 Children in armed c<strong>on</strong>flicts including physical <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> psychological recovery<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> social reintegrati<strong>on</strong><br />
Bangladesh has ratified the Opti<strong>on</strong>al Protocol to the <strong>CRC</strong> <strong>on</strong> the involvement of the Children in Armed C<strong>on</strong>flict.<br />
Bangladesh submitted its report <strong>on</strong> the Protocol, defended the same <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> recently received c<strong>on</strong>cluding<br />
observati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> it.<br />
Bangladesh does not allow its under-18 citizens to serve in the positi<strong>on</strong>s in armed forces, police, Bangladesh<br />
Rifles (BDR) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Ansar (Auxiliary Force) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Village Defence Party (VDP). Pers<strong>on</strong>s are recruited in the armed<br />
forces <strong>on</strong> strictly voluntary basis. Moreover, the recruits like officer of Commissi<strong>on</strong>ed Rank of Bangladesh Army,<br />
Cadets of Bangladesh Navy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Flight Cadets of Bangladesh Air Force undergo training of two years before<br />
they are employed for actual services. No <strong>on</strong>e is recruited in Police, VDP <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Ansar at an age below 18 years.<br />
School curricula include issues <strong>on</strong> human rights to strengthen a culture of peace <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> tolerance. The text books,<br />
for example of Grade-V, also have a separate chapter <strong>on</strong> "World Peace <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the United Nati<strong>on</strong>s".<br />
After decades of insurgency, tensi<strong>on</strong> in Chittag<strong>on</strong>g Hill Tracts (CHT) has substantially reduced after signing the<br />
Peace Accord in 1997. Many organizati<strong>on</strong>s have started working with the hill people, including children, to bring<br />
peace <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> prosperity in the area.<br />
8.3 Children in c<strong>on</strong>flict with law<br />
8.3.1 The administrati<strong>on</strong> of juvenile justice<br />
The Children Act, 1974 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Children Rules, 1976 are the principal legal instruments governing the<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong> of juvenile justice in Bangladesh. They deal with children in c<strong>on</strong>flict with law <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the children in<br />
need of protecti<strong>on</strong>. The Government has made various efforts to put juvenile justice issues <strong>on</strong> the agenda, but<br />
still much more needs to be d<strong>on</strong>e.<br />
The age of criminal resp<strong>on</strong>sibility has been recently raised from 7 to 9 years. Criminal liability of children<br />
between the ages 9 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 12 years is subject to judicial assessment of their capacity to underst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the nature<br />
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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>sequences of their acti<strong>on</strong>s. In a country where birth registrati<strong>on</strong> is some 10 percent, it is very likely that<br />
children in c<strong>on</strong>flict with law are often deprived of age-appropriate protecti<strong>on</strong>s. Moreover, the current protecti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
for children in c<strong>on</strong>tact with juvenile justice system do not extend to all children under the age of 18. Under the<br />
Children Act, 1974 ‘child’ <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ‘youthful offender’ are defined as a pers<strong>on</strong> under the age of 16.<br />
There are three integrated juvenile correcti<strong>on</strong> centres in Bangladesh, each comprising a permanent Juvenile<br />
Court. They are known as Kishor Unnayan Kendra (KUK). They have a combined capacity of 500 children.<br />
During the last five years, 2932 adolescents have been rehabilitated from these centres. Plan for c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong><br />
of two more centres for girls have been approved.<br />
The powers of a Juvenile Court can be exercised by the High Court, a Court of Sessi<strong>on</strong>, Court of<br />
Additi<strong>on</strong>al/Assistant Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a Magistrate of the First Class for those areas where no Juvenile<br />
Court has been established.<br />
Lack of knowledge of the c<strong>on</strong>cerned pers<strong>on</strong>nel such as police, social welfare officers <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> others about nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> internati<strong>on</strong>al legal st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ards affecting children is a major problem in juvenile justice system in Bangladesh.<br />
The other areas were found in that exercise to require attenti<strong>on</strong>:<br />
Coordinati<strong>on</strong> am<strong>on</strong>g c<strong>on</strong>cerned ministries, agencies, departments <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> organizati<strong>on</strong>s;<br />
Limited Infrastructure; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Promoti<strong>on</strong> of n<strong>on</strong>-denial freedom measures <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> alternative to instituti<strong>on</strong>alisati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Table 8.2: Key Statistics <strong>on</strong> Juvenile Justice, Bangladesh<br />
Child populati<strong>on</strong> below 18 years<br />
59 milli<strong>on</strong><br />
Minimum age of criminal resp<strong>on</strong>sibility<br />
9 years<br />
Age when children can be punished as adults<br />
16 years<br />
Ages when children treated as adults<br />
16-18 years<br />
Number of children Development Centres (KUK) 3<br />
Based <strong>on</strong> the assessment, the Government in associati<strong>on</strong> with UNICEF arranged training for police officers,<br />
judges <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other officials <strong>on</strong> child rights for last few years. New training materials <strong>on</strong> juvenile justice were<br />
prepared, which include the H<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Book for Police <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Bench Books for Judges <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Magistrates <strong>on</strong> Children in<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tact with the Juvenile Justice System. Moreover, the internati<strong>on</strong>al instruments <strong>on</strong> juvenile justice <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> n<strong>on</strong>custodial<br />
measures have been printed for wider disseminati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
In 2006, key juvenile justice actors including UN agencies, d<strong>on</strong>ors, nati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> internati<strong>on</strong>al NGOs established<br />
a Juvenile Justice Roundtable (JJR) aiming at supporting the Government in c<strong>on</strong>ducting a comprehensive<br />
reform of the Juvenile Justice system based <strong>on</strong> internati<strong>on</strong>al experience which has shown that isolated <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
fragmented interventi<strong>on</strong>s cannot bring tangible results for children. The JJR arranges training, technical<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other supports towards establishing an appropriate juvenile justice system in the country.<br />
The Government has established a committee to review the laws relating to juvenile justice which will c<strong>on</strong>sider<br />
the age for criminal resp<strong>on</strong>sibility (in line with <strong>CRC</strong>) al<strong>on</strong>g with other priority issues. The Government has also<br />
appointed a high level Juvenile Justice Tasks Force, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> has identified priority areas of acti<strong>on</strong>. The need for<br />
comprehensive legal reform has been identified as crucial because the Children Act, in some respects, fails to<br />
fully reflect the principles of <strong>CRC</strong>. The Government has taken initiative to establish 4 juvenile sessi<strong>on</strong>s courts<br />
at Divisi<strong>on</strong>al levels. A new Nati<strong>on</strong>al Social Policy <strong>on</strong> Models of Care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Protecti<strong>on</strong> for Children in C<strong>on</strong>tact with<br />
the Law has been drafted to address children in c<strong>on</strong>flict with the law.<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
There has been a visible judicial activism in the area of juvenile justice that culminated in the recent judgement<br />
in a case by the High Court Divisi<strong>on</strong> of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh that c<strong>on</strong>sidered all internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
instruments <strong>on</strong> juvenile justice <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the juvenile justice legislati<strong>on</strong>s of other countries including the draft South<br />
African Child Justice Bill. The Judge, while delivering the judgement observed that, Bangladesh is duty bound<br />
to reflect the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of UN<strong>CRC</strong> in laws. He has urged the legislator to enact laws in c<strong>on</strong>formity with UN<strong>CRC</strong>.<br />
In the criminal appeal that emerged from a death sentence of a 15-year old boy, the Court set aside the penalty<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> provided a ten-point guideline for law reform in the area of juvenile justice. The Court also asked the Ministry<br />
of Law, Justice <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Parliamentary Affairs to take initiative to formulate appropriate legislati<strong>on</strong> in line with the<br />
views expressed in the judgement.<br />
While the Suo Moto Rule passed by High Court Divisi<strong>on</strong> in 2003, the total number of Children in c<strong>on</strong>finement<br />
was 1303 in 57 Jail all over the country (Source: Save the Children, UK). Gradually by the Government<br />
interventi<strong>on</strong>s through the inter-ministerial committee <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> later <strong>on</strong> by Nati<strong>on</strong>al Task Force District Task Force<br />
(headed by Deputy Commissi<strong>on</strong>er) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Upazila Task Force (headed by Upazila Nirbahi Officer) the number<br />
decreased to 395 in June (Source: SCF UK).<br />
8.3.2 Children deprived of their liberty, including any form of detenti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
impris<strong>on</strong>ment or placement in custodial settings<br />
The Children Act, 1974 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Children Rules, 1976 provides, am<strong>on</strong>g others, protecti<strong>on</strong> of children who come<br />
in c<strong>on</strong>flict with the law; however, they are not always effectively enforced. Since the Vagrancy Act, 1943 lays<br />
down no limit to the period of detenti<strong>on</strong>; children are detained arbitrarily for l<strong>on</strong>g periods of time until they are<br />
produced before the Magistrate. Moreover, the Vagrancy Act 1943 is devoid of any provisi<strong>on</strong> allowing legal<br />
representati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> behalf of the arrested pers<strong>on</strong>. C<strong>on</strong>sequently, a neglected <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> homeless child is also deprived<br />
of the right to defend him/herself in a legal system, which, under the best of c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s, tends to be unjust.<br />
Arrest: Children in Bangladesh can be arrested <strong>on</strong> ground of committing specific offences; <strong>on</strong> suspici<strong>on</strong> of<br />
involvement in a criminal act; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>/or being a vagrant. Police is authorized to arrest without warrant under<br />
provisi<strong>on</strong>s of different laws.<br />
Children also come into c<strong>on</strong>tact with the law when they breach some penal laws of the l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in the form of<br />
carrying drugs, arms, engage in theft <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> becoming unc<strong>on</strong>trollable. They are likely to be apprehended by law<br />
enforcing agencies. These are but some of the ways children come into c<strong>on</strong>tact with the justice system<br />
comprising the police, the courts, the detenti<strong>on</strong> centres <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> institutes.<br />
Detenti<strong>on</strong> following arrest: Children, after arrest, are taken to Police Stati<strong>on</strong>s (PS) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> kept until sending to<br />
court. The police is required by the Children Act, 1974 to inform the parents/guardian immediately after arrest.<br />
Police is empowered by the Act to enlarge arrested children <strong>on</strong> bail even when accused of a n<strong>on</strong>-bailable<br />
offence. However, in practice this authority s rarely used because granting bail to a child requires surety <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
bail amount similar to that of an adult. Moreover, the Act itself places restricti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> their authority, stating that<br />
the police should not release a child if it will ‘bring the child into associati<strong>on</strong> with reputed criminals’, ‘expose him<br />
to moral danger’, or where release would ‘defeat the ends of justice’. Before sending to court the arrested<br />
children are kept in lock-ups when they are required to be detained. In the PS, there is no separate lock-up for<br />
children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> are kept with adult detainees.<br />
Detenti<strong>on</strong> after charges brought: Children who are charged with bailable offences are invariably released <strong>on</strong><br />
bail. Even when a child is charged with a n<strong>on</strong>-bailable offence, the court is empowered under the Act to release<br />
him/her <strong>on</strong> bail if sufficient security is provided. A child who is not released <strong>on</strong> bail, the judicial process in<br />
Bangladesh enables a Magistrate to exercise his power of rem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing children in protective custody, to a jail or<br />
a state c<strong>on</strong>trolled correcti<strong>on</strong>al institute. There are 3 correcti<strong>on</strong> centres (KUK) in the country.<br />
85
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
However, with the passage of time the overall situati<strong>on</strong> is improving mainly due to awareness <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> advocacy<br />
programmes undertaken by the Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOS, increased surveillance, training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sensitizati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cerned pers<strong>on</strong>nel including those from court <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> police <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> modernizati<strong>on</strong> of police. So far 47,206 pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
arrested under the Vagrancy Act, 1943, have been given shelter, food <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> different types of training in the six<br />
shelter homes of MoSW with the objective to rehabilitate them in the society.<br />
8.3.4 The sentencing of juveniles, in particular the prohibiti<strong>on</strong> of<br />
capital punishment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> life impris<strong>on</strong>ment<br />
<strong>CRC</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Beijing Rules require the Government to establish a minimum age below which children will be<br />
presumed innocent. It is further stressed that the beginning of the age should not be set too low, having due<br />
regard to the child's emoti<strong>on</strong>al, mental <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> intellectual maturity. In Bangladesh the Penal Code of 1860<br />
(amended in 2004) states that nothing is an offence, which is d<strong>on</strong>e by a pers<strong>on</strong> under the age of 9 years. That<br />
is, it provides immunity for children up to 9 years of age against all criminal resp<strong>on</strong>sibilities. The Code<br />
safeguards the children of 9 to 12 years age-bracket <strong>on</strong> the basis of capacity of underst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing the nature <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
c<strong>on</strong>sequences of their acti<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
According to Children Act, 1974 the trial of a child should be held separately (from adult accused) in a building<br />
or room from the ordinary court in a home-like atmosphere. When making an order under the Act, the court must<br />
take into c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> the character <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> age of the child; the circumstances in which the child is living; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
report from a Probati<strong>on</strong> Officer as to the child’s background <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> family history.<br />
The Children Act, 1974 prohibits the use of capital-punishment against children under 16. There are very limited<br />
circumstances in which impris<strong>on</strong>ment can be imposed <strong>on</strong> a child of this age. In the event that either of the<br />
special circumstances described there exists <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the offence of which the child has been found guilty is<br />
punishable with life impris<strong>on</strong>ment, then a sentence of life impris<strong>on</strong>ment can be imposed <strong>on</strong> such a child. In<br />
practice, <strong>on</strong> account of their age <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> immaturity, the courts rarely impose life term <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> death sentences <strong>on</strong><br />
children under 18.<br />
In January 2000, there were four children under 15 years serving life sentences in T<strong>on</strong>gi KUK (Child<br />
Development Centre). As <strong>on</strong> 25 August 2007, there was <strong>on</strong>ly <strong>on</strong>e such child in Jessore KUK. The District Legal<br />
Aid Committees formed with the objective to provide legal support to distressed women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children are more<br />
active than over before.<br />
8.3.5 Physical <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> psychological recovery <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> social reintegrati<strong>on</strong><br />
C<strong>on</strong>sistent with the underlying aims of the Children Act, 1974 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Rules, certified institutes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> approved<br />
homes are run in such a way as to prepare children as far as possible to return to society when their period of<br />
detenti<strong>on</strong> ends. This is ensured through <strong>on</strong>going m<strong>on</strong>itoring of each child’s situati<strong>on</strong>, a system of educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
vocati<strong>on</strong>al training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the work of probati<strong>on</strong> officers.<br />
For the first 14 days after the start of a child’s detenti<strong>on</strong>, his/her mental dispositi<strong>on</strong>, c<strong>on</strong>duct, aptitude <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other<br />
matters are closely m<strong>on</strong>itored for the purposes of formulating an effective treatment plan. A separate file is<br />
created for each child where this informati<strong>on</strong> is recorded by the Superintendent of the instituti<strong>on</strong> where the child<br />
is kept. In practice these rules are not properly complied with in Bangladesh.<br />
The Children Rules, 1976 require to be provided to children in detenti<strong>on</strong> with primary educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vocati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
training facilities. The T<strong>on</strong>gi Child Development Centre (KUK) has an <strong>on</strong>-site school offering educati<strong>on</strong> up to<br />
Grade 5. Arrangements can also be made for children to c<strong>on</strong>tinue their educati<strong>on</strong> up to a higher level outside<br />
the Centre. Vocati<strong>on</strong>al training in car maintenance, welding, tailoring, carpentry <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> electric house wiring is<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
available. There is also the provisi<strong>on</strong> under the Children Act, 1974 of children detained in a certified institute or<br />
approved home for release, <strong>on</strong> license, to live outside the instituti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> certain c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s with a pers<strong>on</strong> who will<br />
give him/her a vocati<strong>on</strong>al training. A n<strong>on</strong>-formal basic educati<strong>on</strong> scheme has been introduced in nine central<br />
jails <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nine district jails for which children are eligible.<br />
Probati<strong>on</strong> officers are guided by the Juvenile Court or, where there is no Juvenile Court, by the Court of<br />
Sessi<strong>on</strong>s. Their duties include maintaining c<strong>on</strong>tact with the child through regular visits, advising, assisting <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
befriending the child <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, where necessary, making efforts to find him or her suitable employment.<br />
8.4 Children in situati<strong>on</strong>s of exploitati<strong>on</strong> including physical<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> psychological recovery <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> social reintegrati<strong>on</strong><br />
8.4.1 Ec<strong>on</strong>omic exploitati<strong>on</strong> including child labour<br />
A. Child labour<br />
Because of a number of reas<strong>on</strong>s including widespread poverty many children enter the labour force, some at a<br />
very young age. A qualitative study by ILO-IPEC <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> UNICEF found three factors that cause child labour in<br />
Bangladesh:<br />
Push Factors (extreme poverty, death of earning family member, parents separati<strong>on</strong>, being ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ed,<br />
natural calamities, adult migrati<strong>on</strong> or unemployment)<br />
Pull Factors (children accept cheap wages <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s favourable to employer)<br />
Interactive or Psychological Factor (Parental disinterest in child’s educati<strong>on</strong>, failure in examinati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
dropping out from school, crisis in the family, influence of peer group)<br />
According to the Sec<strong>on</strong>d Nati<strong>on</strong>al Child Labour Survey (NCLS) 2002-03, of 42.3 milli<strong>on</strong> children aged 5-17<br />
years, estimated 7.4 milli<strong>on</strong> children (17.5 percent) are engaged in some form of ec<strong>on</strong>omic activity. Based <strong>on</strong><br />
definiti<strong>on</strong> used in ILO C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>, it is estimated that 3.2 milli<strong>on</strong> (43 percent) children would be c<strong>on</strong>sidered as<br />
child labour, representing 7.5 percent of the of the entire child populati<strong>on</strong> in this range. Over half of the working<br />
children (53 percent) were employed in agriculture sector, followed by producti<strong>on</strong> (15 percent), trading/sales (14<br />
percent) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> transport (10 percent).<br />
Children often work al<strong>on</strong>gside family members in small scale <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> subsistence agriculture. Of the total child<br />
labour (3.2 milli<strong>on</strong>), 26 percent were attending schools <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> working simultaneously. As revealed in the survey,<br />
approximately 41 percent of child labour or 1.3 milli<strong>on</strong> children were engaged in hazardous labour.<br />
Table 8.3: Children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Ec<strong>on</strong>omically Active (working) Children in the age range of<br />
5-17 years in 2003<br />
In 000s<br />
Total children Ec<strong>on</strong>omically Active Child labour Children in<br />
Children (CAC)<br />
Hazardous Work (CHW)<br />
Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female<br />
42,388 22,689 19,699 7,423 5,471 1,952 3,179 2,461 718 1,297 1,177 120<br />
Source: BBS/NCLS, 2002/03<br />
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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Hazardous Work: In Integrated Baseline Survey, 2005 by BBS/ILO-IPEC in 13,180 sample establishments<br />
under 45 selected (hazardous) sectors/activities the key findings are: about 20 percent of the total<br />
establishments were employing child workers. No child worker was found in four sectors, namely, ship breaking,<br />
cigarettes (not bidi), pesticides <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other chemical products, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> fire works during the time of the survey<br />
undertaking. Again, of the total employed pers<strong>on</strong>s in the sectors, 34 percent were child workers, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> of the total<br />
child workers, 98.5 percent were estimated as child labour.<br />
Child Domestic Workers (CDW): Domestic child labour is the largest hazardous child labour sector in the<br />
country. There is no official record of actual number of child domestics because of the ‘hidden’ nature of work.<br />
According to <strong>on</strong>e survey (ILO–IPEC, 2005/06), the total number of CDW is estimated at 405,508, of them 31<br />
percent are in Dhaka city <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> remainder in other parts of the country. Of the total domestic help in Dhaka, 92<br />
percent are full time CDW <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the remaining are part time.<br />
Some CBOs/NGOs have started advocacy programme so that they are protected by law. Given the ofteninformal<br />
nature, regulati<strong>on</strong> is difficult. However, recently the Government has been bringing criminal charges<br />
against employers who abuse domestic helps. Under the existing law, every child must attend school up to<br />
Grade V or until the age of 10 years. However, there is no effective mechanism for enforcing the law in favour<br />
of child domestics particular.<br />
B. The Government’s resp<strong>on</strong>se to child labour<br />
The State Party has acknowledged the problem of child labour. She has ratified the ILO C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>-182 in 2001<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cerning the Prohibiti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Immediate Acti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Eliminati<strong>on</strong> of Worst Forms of Child Labour, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> also<br />
committed to the Rawalpindi Declarati<strong>on</strong> of SAARC calling for the eradicati<strong>on</strong> of child labour by 2010. The<br />
Government has prepared a Child Labour Policy, which is awaiting approval. The Government has also signed<br />
a Memor<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>um of Underst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing with ILO-IPEC for eliminati<strong>on</strong> of child labour.<br />
Under the Mines (Amendment) Act, 2004 the age of children who can be engaged in mines has been revised<br />
from 15 years to 18 years to c<strong>on</strong>form to the <strong>CRC</strong>. Bangladesh Labour Law, 2006 deals, inter alia, with some<br />
prohibiti<strong>on</strong>s related to child labour. Hazardous work by a pers<strong>on</strong> below 18 is prohibited by this law. The<br />
Government has been publishing the list of such hazardous works <strong>on</strong> a regular interval. For any other (n<strong>on</strong>hazardous)<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omic activity, the lower limit of admissi<strong>on</strong> into employment is 14 years but with the certificati<strong>on</strong><br />
of a registered medical doctor about fitness <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> age of the child. The employer must preserve the certificate<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> allow her/him to c<strong>on</strong>tinue <strong>on</strong>-going educati<strong>on</strong> adjusting working hours.<br />
Up to December 2004, under ILO-IPEC initiative about 20,000 children have been removed from hazardous<br />
work, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> almost similar number of children is attending schools. The BGMEA-ILO-UNICEF project identified<br />
10,546 child workers, in garment factories. The interventi<strong>on</strong> under the project proved to be very successful in<br />
removing child labour as by the end of 2003 <strong>on</strong>ly 23 (0.2 percent) of the factories were employing 58 child<br />
labour. It is believed that with more compliance to labour st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ards by the employers, coupled with internal<br />
lobbying <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> advocacy, in the recent years, the proporti<strong>on</strong> of child labour in garments factories at least remained<br />
very low.<br />
With a view to preventi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> eliminate child labour through viable alternatives, am<strong>on</strong>g other measures, the<br />
MoLE has launched a comprehensive initiative in the form of Time Bound Programme, TBF (2004-15) to protect,<br />
remove, rehabilitate <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> prevent the worst form of child labour in the country with the support of ILO, UNICEF<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ADB. The Ministry has also been implementing another USAID assisted project named Eradicati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
Hazardous Child Labour (2nd Phase) Project aiming at removing 30,000 children from hazardous works, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
making those children skilled.<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
BEHTRUC project <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> its successor project for the urban working children under MoPME, is being implemented<br />
in the six Divisi<strong>on</strong>al cities (346,500 children benefited from the project <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the <strong>on</strong>-going <strong>on</strong>e has a target of<br />
200,000 working children); 44 Shishu Kalyan (child welfare) Trust schools have been providing primary<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> to the street children. This project mainly focuses <strong>on</strong> rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> of street children.<br />
Protecti<strong>on</strong> of Children at Risk (PCAR) project MoSW/DSS, funded by UNICEF, through 13 different activities,<br />
covering groups of children without parental care, provides basic educati<strong>on</strong>, skills training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> basic healthcare.<br />
NGOs work both in partnership with the Government’s child labour projects <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> are also involved <strong>on</strong> their own<br />
in n<strong>on</strong>-formal educati<strong>on</strong>, formal primary educati<strong>on</strong>, skills training, child labour <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> WFCL <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> brothel children.<br />
The Department of Labour (DoL) with the participati<strong>on</strong> of 42 NGOs/CBOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> local government instituti<strong>on</strong>s has<br />
established the Child Labour Eliminati<strong>on</strong> Acti<strong>on</strong> Network (CLEAN), to m<strong>on</strong>itor situati<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>cerning hazardous<br />
child labour in 8 north- west districts of Bangladesh.<br />
8.4.2 Drug abuse<br />
Bangladesh is a party to the following internati<strong>on</strong>al c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> this subject:<br />
Single C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Narcotic Drugs 1961(as amended by Protocol of 1972)<br />
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Psychotropic Substances 1971<br />
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Psychotropic Substances<br />
The relevant domestic legislati<strong>on</strong> is the Narcotics C<strong>on</strong>trol Act 1990, which punishes drug abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> illicit drug<br />
trafficking with a minimum impris<strong>on</strong>ment sentence of 6 m<strong>on</strong>ths <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a fine. The Children Act, 1974 makes it a<br />
punishable offence to:<br />
Give intoxicating liquor or dangerous drugs to a child in a public place; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Take a child to, or permit a child to enter a place where intoxicating liquor or dangerous drugs are sold.<br />
Accurate rates of drug abuse am<strong>on</strong>g children are not available. However, children are involved as drug carriers,<br />
sellers <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> users.<br />
The Department of Narcotics C<strong>on</strong>trol has overall resp<strong>on</strong>sibility for c<strong>on</strong>trolling the trafficking <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> abuse of drugs<br />
in Bangladesh. The United Nati<strong>on</strong>s Drug C<strong>on</strong>trol Programme (UNDCP) is supporting Government’s anti-drug<br />
efforts in three areas: law enforcement, preventive educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> informati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> treatment/rehabilitati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
8.4.3 Sexual exploitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sexual abuse<br />
The Government is c<strong>on</strong>cerned about the problem of child sexual abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sexual exploitati<strong>on</strong>. It was<br />
expressed in formulati<strong>on</strong> of the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan of Acti<strong>on</strong> against Sexual Abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Exploitati<strong>on</strong> of Children,<br />
including Trafficking (NPA-SAECT). The Government as well as people in leading positi<strong>on</strong>s are c<strong>on</strong>vinced of the<br />
benefits of ensuring children’s participati<strong>on</strong> for effective policy development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> implementati<strong>on</strong>. The NPA-<br />
SAECT was developed through a participatory process in c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> with different stakeholders including<br />
children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> young people.<br />
A regi<strong>on</strong>al strategy to combat child sexual abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sexual exploitati<strong>on</strong> of children was adopted by all seven<br />
South Asian Countries in Dhaka. The Strategy was presented by the Government of Bangladesh during the<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>d World C<strong>on</strong>gress against Commercial Sexual Exploitati<strong>on</strong> of Children in Japan.<br />
The Government has enacted The Suppressi<strong>on</strong> of Violence against Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children Act, 2000 to protect<br />
the children from sexual exploitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> abuse.<br />
89
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
The empowerment of adolescent girls project Kishori Abhijan exp<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed its interventi<strong>on</strong> sites from 14 to 26<br />
districts. The interventi<strong>on</strong>s led to positive results, providing life-skills based training to girls, through the peer-topeer<br />
approach reaching 100,000 adolescents, mainly girls. Livelihood <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> basic ec<strong>on</strong>omic skills training were<br />
also provided to 25,000 adolescent girls.<br />
Different NGOs are also working to prevent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> protect children from abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> exploitati<strong>on</strong>. Some am<strong>on</strong>g<br />
them are working with sex workers <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> their children with special focus <strong>on</strong> their rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> in the society. A<br />
survey <strong>on</strong> Commercial Sexual Exploitati<strong>on</strong> of Children was completed in 2006 in partnership with ILO-IPEC.<br />
8.4.4 Other forms of exploitati<strong>on</strong><br />
One particularly vicious <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> damaging form of violence is acid attacks which have traumatic c<strong>on</strong>sequences,<br />
scarring the victims physically (disfigurement), psychologically <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> socially for life. Acid attacks are mainly a<br />
crime against children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> young women, although more recently, boys <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> young men have also been targets<br />
of this crime. Since the enactment of The Acid C<strong>on</strong>trol Act, 2002 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> The Acid Crimes Preventi<strong>on</strong> Act, 2002,<br />
the incidence of acid attack has g<strong>on</strong>e down. The One-Stop-Crisis Centres (OCC) in Dhaka <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other five<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong>al Headquarters has been set up together with a Hotline System for women vulnerable to act of<br />
violence. In January 2006, a DNA profiling laboratory was established in Dhaka with five screening laboratories<br />
at Divisi<strong>on</strong>al levels for identifying perpetrators <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ascertaining parentage.<br />
The most pervasive form of violence within a marriage is dowry related violence. Women in Bangladesh marry<br />
at a relatively early age associated with the dem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> of dowry. Failure to provide the desired price results in<br />
violence that ranges from the threat of divorce <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ment to physical acts of beating or even murder.<br />
The Dowry Prohibiti<strong>on</strong> Act, 1980 forbids the giving <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> taking of dowry <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> The Suppressi<strong>on</strong> of Violence against<br />
Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children Act, 2000 provides strict measures against dowry related violence.<br />
8.4.5 Sale, trafficking <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> abducti<strong>on</strong><br />
An estimated 1.2 milli<strong>on</strong> children are trafficked each year worldwide. An estimated 2 milli<strong>on</strong> children, the majority<br />
of them girls, are sexually exploited in the commercial sex industry (UNICEF Fact sheet).<br />
The most widely employed procuring strategies include, kidnapping, abducti<strong>on</strong>, purchase of young girls from<br />
their families, marriage c<strong>on</strong>tracts, promises of jobs abroad <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> affected friendship <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> love.<br />
Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> girls are trafficked annually to India, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the United Arab Emirates<br />
(U.A.E.). Bangladeshi boys were also trafficked into the U.A.E. <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Qatar. Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children in Bangladesh<br />
are pr<strong>on</strong>e to trafficking while migrating from rural to urban areas.<br />
Inter-Ministerial/Inter-Organizati<strong>on</strong>al Case M<strong>on</strong>itoring Committee in the Ministry of Home Affairs at the<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al level meets at least <strong>on</strong>ce every fortnight <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> selects some pending cases <strong>on</strong> trafficking in women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
children in the country <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ensures quick disposal of these cases. The District M<strong>on</strong>itoring Committees headed<br />
by Deputy Commissi<strong>on</strong>ers in turn selects at least five pending cases <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> m<strong>on</strong>itor those regularly for quick<br />
disposal.<br />
The Inter-Ministerial/Inter-Organisati<strong>on</strong>al Anti-Trafficking Committee led by the Secretary of the Ministry of<br />
Home Affairs holds meeting <strong>on</strong>ce a m<strong>on</strong>th to m<strong>on</strong>itor the progress of the activities undertaken by different<br />
ministries <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> departments to combat trafficking in Bangladesh.<br />
The GO-NGO Nati<strong>on</strong>al Co-ordinati<strong>on</strong> Committee for Trafficking in Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children is involved in<br />
implementing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> m<strong>on</strong>itoring programmes to combat trafficking.<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
A Police M<strong>on</strong>itoring Cell at the Police Headquarters in Dhaka collects informati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> intelligence report<br />
regarding human trafficking especially trafficking in women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children, arrests criminals <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rescue trafficked<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>s, assists in prosecuting relevant cases, helps in rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> of trafficked pers<strong>on</strong>s, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> regularly follows<br />
up the progress of disposal of cases. This Cell also maintains the database of cases related to trafficking. A<br />
m<strong>on</strong>itoring unit has been formed in all 64 districts. There are also local level committees, to m<strong>on</strong>itor the issue<br />
of trafficking.<br />
One of the major achievements during 2005 was the successful repatriati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> reintegrati<strong>on</strong> of Bangladeshi<br />
children involved in camel racing (CICR) in UAE with the technical support of UNICEF. With the help of local<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> NGOs, almost all of them have so far been reintegrated to the family. This has expedited the<br />
process of safe return of trafficked individuals <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the <strong>on</strong>e of best practice initiatives.<br />
8.5 Children bel<strong>on</strong>ging to a minority or an indigenous group<br />
8.5.1 Tribal people<br />
In Bangladesh there are people, known as tribal, live in four regi<strong>on</strong>s of Bangladesh (divided into 27 districts).<br />
Each ethnic group dem<strong>on</strong>strating unique culture, traditi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> knowledge, thereby c<strong>on</strong>tribute to making<br />
Bangladesh a culturally rich country. According to the latest populati<strong>on</strong> census (2001), more than 98 per cent of<br />
the populati<strong>on</strong> of Bangladesh bel<strong>on</strong>g to the homogeneous ethnic group known as Bengali; the remainder is<br />
composed of tribal, from 27 communities. There is a str<strong>on</strong>g correlati<strong>on</strong> between being indigenous, tribal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
being a member of an ethnic minority group, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> being poor or extremely poor.<br />
The situati<strong>on</strong> of tribal children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children of ethnic minorities c<strong>on</strong>tinues to be a source of c<strong>on</strong>cern. There is a<br />
dearth of informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> these children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> whatever is available dem<strong>on</strong>strates that they have less access to<br />
their rights to food, health care, educati<strong>on</strong>, survival <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> protecti<strong>on</strong> from abuse, violence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
discriminati<strong>on</strong>. The MICS 2006 findings show their situati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> some indicators (Table 8.4).<br />
Table 8.4: Nati<strong>on</strong>al vis-à-vis Tribal Situati<strong>on</strong>s, MICS 2006 (In percent)<br />
Serial Indicator Nati<strong>on</strong>al Situati<strong>on</strong> Tribal Situati<strong>on</strong><br />
01 Primary School Net Enrolment Rate 70.0 59.0<br />
02 Initial Breast Feeding<br />
Breast fed within an hour 35.6 29.9<br />
Breastfed within <strong>on</strong>e day 81.5 78.9<br />
03 Vitamin A Supplementati<strong>on</strong> 84.9 77.8<br />
04 Low birth weight (below 2.5 kg) 26.7 24.1<br />
05 Vaccinati<strong>on</strong> (all) 83.7 76.2<br />
06 Drinking Water<br />
Improved Source 97.6 78.5<br />
Water <strong>on</strong> premises 68.0 24.2<br />
07 Use Sanitary Latrine 39.2 17.2<br />
08 Antenatal care<br />
No antenatal care 43.8 65.2<br />
Delivery in health facilities 16.0 4.2<br />
09 Birth Registered 9.8 5.0<br />
10 Child Labour prevalence 12.8 17.6<br />
Source: MICS 2006<br />
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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Citizens are protected under the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> against discriminati<strong>on</strong> by the State irrespective of religi<strong>on</strong>, race,<br />
caste, sex or place of birth. It also guarantees freedom to all religi<strong>on</strong>s with specific protecti<strong>on</strong> for backward<br />
secti<strong>on</strong>s of society.<br />
The advent of peace in the CHT has been followed by a str<strong>on</strong>g expressi<strong>on</strong> of interest from internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
development partners <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nati<strong>on</strong>al NGOs in implementing programmes that will significantly improve the quality<br />
of life for Hill Tracts children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the enjoyment of their rights. In c<strong>on</strong>formity with its obligati<strong>on</strong>s under the Peace<br />
Accord, the Government has made a special allocati<strong>on</strong> of funds for projects in the Hill Tracts, with an emphasis<br />
<strong>on</strong> improving local infrastructure.<br />
The Government with the support of UNDP has undertaken a project titled "Promoti<strong>on</strong> of Development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
C<strong>on</strong>fidence Building in the Chittag<strong>on</strong>g Hill Tracts" with the aim of reducing poverty especially am<strong>on</strong>g the most<br />
vulnerable <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> strengthening the local instituti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> communities. Again, ILO under its Women’s<br />
Empowerment through Employment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Health (WEEH) project, 2002-2005, in collaborati<strong>on</strong> with MoLE, has<br />
implemented decent employment comp<strong>on</strong>ent with special focus <strong>on</strong> women’s entrepreneurship development in<br />
3 hill districts in collaborati<strong>on</strong> with NGOs.<br />
Integrated Community Development Project in the CHT under the Ministry of CHT Affairs funded by UNICEF<br />
covers basic services in 2,220 Para (community) Centres, PC at village level serving catchments of 25-30<br />
families. The PCs were managed by a Para worker, a locally recruited pers<strong>on</strong> (95% women). Activities related<br />
to health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nutriti<strong>on</strong>, early learning or school preparedness, water, sanitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> hygiene promoti<strong>on</strong> were<br />
supported by the Para worker. Immunizati<strong>on</strong> coverage in the PC was reported to be as high as 95% whilst the<br />
use of iodized salt was noted to be 100%. Vitamin A supplementati<strong>on</strong> was provided to 17,500 post partum<br />
women. Early learning <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> school readiness educati<strong>on</strong> is provided to about 40,000 children annually in the PCs.<br />
Many of these children have enrolled in primary schools up<strong>on</strong> graduati<strong>on</strong> from the PC schools.<br />
8.5.2 Other minority communities<br />
There are some small groups of disadvantaged poor people. They are comm<strong>on</strong>ly isolated from mainl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
or mainstream people. These groups include: people living in the areas of coast line, haor/baor/beels (big water<br />
bodies), fishing boats, char l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s (small river isl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>), <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> gypsy people (bedes), bawalies (those who live <strong>on</strong><br />
the resources of the Sundarbans forest areas), methor <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> dalit (sweeper) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> tea garden workers. The<br />
socioec<strong>on</strong>omic c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s of these groups of people are not much known as very little surveys or studies have<br />
been c<strong>on</strong>ducted. Recently media has started giving coverage <strong>on</strong> them reflecting their marginalized <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> isolated<br />
c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s. The Divisi<strong>on</strong>al C<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong>s organized for the purpose of this <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> also endorsed their isolati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The Government with assistance of development partners is increasingly undertaking new initiatives <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
programmes for development of people living in the remote <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> inaccessible areas. Studies are being c<strong>on</strong>ducted<br />
to identify the reas<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> magnitudes of problems in specific areas. Based <strong>on</strong> the studies new area specific<br />
programmes such as DFID assisted Char Livelihood Project has been undertaken. Government has also<br />
intensified <strong>on</strong>going initiatives of poverty alleviati<strong>on</strong> such as micro credit <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> safety net programmes in these areas.<br />
8.6 Children living or working <strong>on</strong> the street<br />
A significant porti<strong>on</strong> of disadvantaged children live <strong>on</strong> the streets <strong>on</strong> account of acute impoverishment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> social<br />
deprivati<strong>on</strong>. Often separated from their families, many of these children migrate to the cities in search of a<br />
livelihood. Their work may range from street vending, rag picking, metal work, transport worker, dealing in drugs<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>trab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> items to sex work. Deprived of their basic rights to health, food, educati<strong>on</strong>, street children are<br />
particularly susceptible to adult abuse, exploitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> manipulati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Making an estimate of the number of street children is a difficult propositi<strong>on</strong>. The populati<strong>on</strong> census, labour force<br />
survey <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the nati<strong>on</strong>al child labour survey do not cover the street children as a separate group. A BIDS survey<br />
found the total number of street children in 6 Divisi<strong>on</strong>al cities <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 5 district town as 429,813 (Table 8.5).<br />
Table 8.5: Estimates of Street Children by Gender <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Age in 6 Divisi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 5 District Towns<br />
Name of<br />
Street Children by Gender <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Age<br />
City/Town Boys (%) Girls (%) Total (%) SC populati<strong>on</strong> by<br />
Number <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> percent<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
IX.<br />
OPTIONAL<br />
PROTOCOLS<br />
TO THE <strong>CRC</strong><br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
9.1 Introducti<strong>on</strong><br />
The Ministry of Women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Children’s Affairs (MOWCA) is the focal point <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> is resp<strong>on</strong>sible for coordinating<br />
implementati<strong>on</strong> of the Protocol both between different ministries<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> at the nati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sub-nati<strong>on</strong>al levels. The other line ministries that are extending support <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> bearing<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>sibility for achieving the commitments made under this protocol are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,<br />
Ministry of Health <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Family Welfare, Ministry of Social welfare, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Law,<br />
Justice <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Parliamentary Affairs. The Ministry of Home Affairs is playing an active role in the rescue <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
repatriati<strong>on</strong> of trafficked victims in collaborati<strong>on</strong> with the authorities of the receiving countries, while the Ministry<br />
of Social Welfare provides care, protecti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> reintegrati<strong>on</strong> of children that are at risk <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vulnerable. There is<br />
an Implementati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> M<strong>on</strong>itoring Committee for the NPA against the Sexual Abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Exploitati<strong>on</strong> of Children<br />
including Trafficking (SAECT) supported by a number of sub-working groups for coordinating the<br />
implementati<strong>on</strong> of the NPA SAECT in associati<strong>on</strong> with NGOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> civil society representatives.<br />
The Shishu Academy (Academy for Children), an implementati<strong>on</strong> wing of MOWCA, is coordinating with the<br />
public <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> civil society with a m<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ate to implement the <strong>CRC</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> its Opti<strong>on</strong>al Protocols through its cultural/extra<br />
curricular activities. A large number nati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> internati<strong>on</strong>al NGOs are coordinating with the Government by<br />
delivering various services such as health, n<strong>on</strong>-formal educati<strong>on</strong>, income-generating activities, creati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
livelihood skills, awareness raising, networking, policy advocacy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> so <strong>on</strong>.<br />
95
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
9.2 Involvement of children in armed c<strong>on</strong>flict<br />
Bangladesh has signed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ratified the Opti<strong>on</strong>al Protocol to the C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Involvement of Children in<br />
Armed C<strong>on</strong>flict (ICAC) <strong>on</strong> 6 September 2000. The initial report by the State Party <strong>on</strong> the status of the<br />
implementati<strong>on</strong> of the ICAC was submitted <strong>on</strong> 27 January 2004. The C<strong>on</strong>cluding Observati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Recommendati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> the Initial <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> of Bangladesh <strong>on</strong> the Opti<strong>on</strong>al Protocol to the <strong>CRC</strong><br />
(<strong>CRC</strong>/C/OPAC/BGD/1) at UN Committee’s 1083th meeting held <strong>on</strong> 9 January, 2006 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adopted at its 1120th<br />
meeting, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> resp<strong>on</strong>ses by the State Party to the issues raised by the Committee <strong>on</strong> the initial report as well as<br />
the C<strong>on</strong>cluding Observati<strong>on</strong>s dated 27 January, 2006, have been taken into c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> in different secti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
of this <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
The State Party reiterates that the minimum age for recruitment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> deployment in all branches of law<br />
enforcement <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> defence is in c<strong>on</strong>formity with the Opti<strong>on</strong>al Protocol <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> there is clear government directi<strong>on</strong> in<br />
this regard. The Government need not have a separate legislati<strong>on</strong> in this respect.<br />
The Government is working towards better coordinati<strong>on</strong> of children’s activities <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> MoWCA has proved this<br />
through timely submissi<strong>on</strong> of all recent child-related internati<strong>on</strong>al reports, preparati<strong>on</strong> of the NPA for Children,<br />
NPA SEACT, children’s secti<strong>on</strong> in the PRSP <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Nati<strong>on</strong>al MDG <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>, 2005 in a participatory manner. Effective<br />
children’s participati<strong>on</strong> was ensured in all these events. NGOs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> internati<strong>on</strong>al organizati<strong>on</strong>s have been<br />
included in the <strong>CRC</strong> St<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing Committee <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> this enabled n<strong>on</strong>-government entities to provide inputs into all<br />
important processes. Stakeholder participati<strong>on</strong> in major activities is regularly ensured through c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong><br />
meetings <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> workshops.<br />
With regard to the c<strong>on</strong>sent of parents or legal guardians for the recruitment of under-18, the State Party does<br />
not think it is necessary since the actual inducti<strong>on</strong> of pers<strong>on</strong>s in different forces are d<strong>on</strong>e <strong>on</strong>ly when the pers<strong>on</strong><br />
attains the age of 18. The training period is not c<strong>on</strong>sidered to be the service period <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> not a violati<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the Opti<strong>on</strong>al Protocol.<br />
The State Party does not believe that there are a any major issues around possible military training that children<br />
undergo in any part of the country including the "madrasahs". This is illegal as per the law of the l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
government takes stern acti<strong>on</strong>s against any<strong>on</strong>e found involved in this kind of activities. Recently, the<br />
government tried a number of pers<strong>on</strong>s involved in these activities <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> gave the highest punishment, death<br />
sentence, to them which was also carried out. The government maintains strict vigilance against any such<br />
activities to happen in future.<br />
Children who were involved in Chittag<strong>on</strong>g Hill Tracts c<strong>on</strong>flict l<strong>on</strong>g ago are all adults by now. Since the CHT<br />
Peace Accord was adopted, there is no more insurgency in the area <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> all arms <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ammuniti<strong>on</strong>s were<br />
c<strong>on</strong>fiscated. The Government is still working to maintain peace in the area. There is no more any fighting in the<br />
area <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> though some arms are still found in some small pockets are believed to be procured more recently<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> used for other purposes. The State Party does not believe that there is any point around disarmament,<br />
demobilizati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> social reintegrati<strong>on</strong> of victims in CHT.<br />
The State Party is working very seriously to unearth small arms <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> light weap<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in recent years, the<br />
report of use of these has g<strong>on</strong>e down. The present government has arrested a good number of political activists<br />
who possessed unlicensed weap<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> cases have been lodged <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sentences have been given to many of<br />
them. The crack down <strong>on</strong> corrupti<strong>on</strong>, black m<strong>on</strong>ey <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> unauthorised use of government property have shown<br />
positive results in the country <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> this will help reduce use of small arms in the country.<br />
The Government has taken initiatives in disseminating the <strong>CRC</strong>, Opti<strong>on</strong>al Protocols, C<strong>on</strong>cluding Observati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> written reports to a wider audience including the army, educati<strong>on</strong>al instituti<strong>on</strong>s, the Parliament <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
NGOs.<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
9.3 Sale of children, child prostituti<strong>on</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child pornography<br />
Bangladesh has signed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ratified the Opti<strong>on</strong>al Protocol to the C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child <strong>on</strong> the<br />
Sale of Children, Child Prostituti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Child Pornography (OPSC) <strong>on</strong> 6 September 2000. The initial report by<br />
the State Party <strong>on</strong> the status of the implementati<strong>on</strong> of the OPSC was submitted <strong>on</strong> 24 November 2005. The<br />
C<strong>on</strong>cluding Observati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Recommendati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> the Initial <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> of Bangladesh <strong>on</strong> the Opti<strong>on</strong>al Protocol<br />
to the <strong>CRC</strong> (<strong>CRC</strong>/C/OPSC/BGD/1) at UN Committee’s 1248th meeting held <strong>on</strong> 4th June 2007 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adopted at<br />
its 1255th meeting, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> resp<strong>on</strong>ses by the state party to the issues raised by the Committee <strong>on</strong> the initial report<br />
as well as the C<strong>on</strong>cluding Observati<strong>on</strong>s dated 8 June 2007, have been taken into c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> in different<br />
secti<strong>on</strong>s of this <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
The State Party has very recently received the C<strong>on</strong>cluding Observati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> this Opti<strong>on</strong>al Protocol <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> is still<br />
analyzing the comments. This present report covers all relevant aspects in different chapters. The Government<br />
is committed to the issues covered <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> will take necessary steps to address those within the shortest possible<br />
time. Two observati<strong>on</strong>s not covered in the report, are explained below:<br />
As regards creati<strong>on</strong> of a separate Children’s Department/Directorate, the State Party’s view is that it may not<br />
benefit the children much excepting duplicati<strong>on</strong> of some activities other ministries are performing. Rather, a<br />
thorough analysis of the situati<strong>on</strong> suggests effective coordinati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> implementati<strong>on</strong> of children’s programmes<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> activities would bring better results. The coordinati<strong>on</strong> role of MoWCA has improved in recent years <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> it<br />
will be further reinforced. In future, Bangladesh Shishu (Children) Academy will be strengthened <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> activities<br />
will be m<strong>on</strong>itored through district-level <strong>CRC</strong> Committees with the help of all sectoral ministries.<br />
Regarding setting up of toll- free help line (observati<strong>on</strong> no. 38) this is to menti<strong>on</strong> that in collaborati<strong>on</strong> with the<br />
NGOs, a toll-free 24-hour helpline for children is in place now. In few cases, the appropriate authorities have<br />
started to take acti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> complains that started coming through this line.<br />
97
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ANNEXURES<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 1<br />
Mobile Library Programme: Progress from 1999 to June 2007<br />
Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (World Literature Centre)<br />
S.L District Mobile District Enrolled Children<br />
(Library Deployed) Library Covered Member/Reader Reader<br />
1 Dhaka 5 1 19414 10511<br />
2 Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 1 1 5406 3135<br />
3 Rajshahi 1 1 3463 1766<br />
4 Khulna 1 1 2321 1392<br />
5 Narayangang 1 3 247 133<br />
6 Gazipur 1 2 493 285<br />
7 Mymensingh 1 2 563 332<br />
8 Bogra 1 2 256 133<br />
9 Sirajg<strong>on</strong>g 1 1 271 162<br />
10 Dinajpur 1 3 412 234<br />
11 Rangpur 1 3 352 207<br />
12 Tangail 1 1 358 152<br />
13 Sylhet 1 1 470 244<br />
14 Noaga<strong>on</strong> 1 2 383 229<br />
15 Pabna 1 2 222 124<br />
16 Comilla 1 2 348 208<br />
17 Noakhali 1 2 255 134<br />
18 Moulovibazar 1 2 226 105<br />
19 Jessore 1 2 538 312<br />
20 Faridpur 1 2 276 154<br />
21 Jhinaidah 1 3 320 182<br />
22 Kustia 1 2 242 145<br />
23 Bagerhat 1 2 250 130<br />
24 Barisal 1 2 352 193<br />
Total 28 45 37438 20602<br />
Source: Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (World Literature Centre)<br />
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Annex: 2<br />
Ongoing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> new WATSAN Projects<br />
1. Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigati<strong>on</strong> Water Supply Project (BAMWSP/World Bank),<br />
2. Rural Water Supply Program (Government of Bangladesh),<br />
3. Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Sanitati<strong>on</strong>, Hygiene <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Water Supply in Rural Areas <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Urban Slums (GoB/ UNICEF),<br />
4. Acti<strong>on</strong> research n Community Based Arsenic Mitigati<strong>on</strong> Project (Gob/ UNICEF),<br />
5. Coastal base Rural Water Supply <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Sanitati<strong>on</strong> (DANIDA)<br />
6. Water supply <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Sanitati<strong>on</strong> in Upazila Headquarters (GoB/ DANIDA),<br />
7. Char (New isl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s) Development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Settlement project-II (Dutch-funded),<br />
8. Hygiene, Sanitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Water Supply (NGO Forum/ DANIDA),<br />
9. Water Supply <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Sanitati<strong>on</strong> in Chittag<strong>on</strong>g Hill Tracts (DANIDA/NGO Forum)<br />
10. Municipal Services Project (MSP of LGED)<br />
11. Water Supply in the Coastal belt<br />
12. Establishment of DPHE Central Laboratory, Dhaka (JICA)<br />
13. Water Testing Laboratory in 53 Districts(WHO)<br />
14. Post Rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> of Water Supply <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Sanitati<strong>on</strong> System of Flood Damaged Districts of the Country, 2004 (DPHE-<br />
UNICEF)<br />
15. Integrated Sanitati<strong>on</strong> Improvement Project in District Towns (DPHE)<br />
16. Eighteen District Town Water Supply Project (DPHE)<br />
17. Establishment of Nati<strong>on</strong>al Water <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Sanitati<strong>on</strong> Informati<strong>on</strong> Centre (NAWASIC) in DPHE<br />
18. Water Supply, Sanitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Drainage Project in Upazila HQs <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Growth Centre Level Pourashavas having no piped<br />
water supply system (DPHE)<br />
19. Emergency Arsenic Mitigati<strong>on</strong> in Worst Affected Villages (DPHE)<br />
20. Medium <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> L<strong>on</strong>g term Water Supply Programme in Arsenic Affected Areas(DPHE)<br />
21. Establishment of Human Resources Development (HRD) in (DPHE)<br />
(In additi<strong>on</strong> to this, a host of local <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> internati<strong>on</strong>al NGOs are implementing WATSAN programmes across the country with<br />
the support of development partners)<br />
100
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 3<br />
Age of Recruitment in Bangladesh Armed forces<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other Security Agencies<br />
Bangladesh Army<br />
Combats: 17-20 years; N<strong>on</strong>-Combats: 17-20 years; Commissi<strong>on</strong> ranks: 17-40 years. After getting<br />
enrolled all of them have to complete their respective basic training courses for at least two years prior to<br />
their employment for actual services.<br />
Bangladesh Navy<br />
Cadets: 17-20 years; Sailors: 17-20 years. After initial recruitment cadets undergo a basic training course<br />
of two years <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Sailors for minimum of 15 m<strong>on</strong>ths before they are commissi<strong>on</strong>ed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> employed for<br />
actual services. Therefore no pers<strong>on</strong>nel of Bangladesh Navy is actually employed in Naval Service before<br />
attaining the age of 18 years.<br />
Bangladesh Air Force<br />
Flight Cadet: 16.5 - 21 years; Airmen: 16 - 21 years; MODC: 17 - 22 years. Parent's c<strong>on</strong>sents are required<br />
prior to enrolment in the training program. After successful completi<strong>on</strong> of the training course they get<br />
employment for serving in Bangladesh Air Force.<br />
Police, Bangladesh Rifle (BDR), Ansar<br />
The minimum age for recruitment: 18 years. Thus it becomes apparent that there is no scope for any<br />
pers<strong>on</strong> to be employed for actual service/combats in defence services, internal security services or<br />
paramilitary forces of Bangladesh who has not attained the age of 18.<br />
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Annex: 4<br />
Key findings of Integrated Baseline survey<br />
<strong>on</strong> Hazardous Child labour, ILO/BBS, 2005<br />
S.L<br />
Indicators/ Key results<br />
Urban<br />
Rural<br />
Total<br />
1.<br />
Numbers of sectors<br />
…<br />
…<br />
45<br />
2.<br />
Number of establishments<br />
727,425<br />
1,490,358<br />
2,217,783<br />
3.<br />
Percent of establishments by locality<br />
23.8<br />
67.2<br />
100.0<br />
4.<br />
Percent of establishments employing child workers<br />
14.9<br />
23.0<br />
20.03<br />
5.<br />
Percent of child workers<br />
Unpaid family workers<br />
26.5<br />
57.7<br />
48.2<br />
Wage workers<br />
73.5<br />
42.3<br />
51.8<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
6.<br />
Major reas<strong>on</strong>s of employing child workers (percent)<br />
Parents request<br />
39.0<br />
42.9<br />
42.0<br />
To pay minimum wage<br />
22.5<br />
15.4<br />
17.1<br />
Good or suitable for work<br />
12.8<br />
10.1<br />
10.7<br />
Less expensive<br />
6.8<br />
6.4<br />
6.5<br />
Nothing<br />
4.8<br />
5.1<br />
5.0<br />
Obedient<br />
2.3<br />
4.6<br />
4.1<br />
Child workers easily available<br />
3.4<br />
2.1<br />
2.4<br />
Not reported<br />
1.1<br />
2.2<br />
1.9<br />
No trade uni<strong>on</strong> problem<br />
0.8<br />
0.9<br />
0.9<br />
Others<br />
6.6<br />
10.2<br />
9.4<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
7.<br />
Payment of wages <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> salary<br />
Paid regularly<br />
83.5<br />
82.8<br />
83.1<br />
Not paid regularly<br />
15.0<br />
15.9<br />
15.6<br />
8.<br />
Mode of payment<br />
Daily<br />
22.1<br />
37.8<br />
32.1<br />
Weekly<br />
15.8<br />
10.3<br />
12.3<br />
M<strong>on</strong>thly<br />
58.7<br />
46.4<br />
50.9<br />
Others<br />
3.4<br />
5.3<br />
4.8<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
9<br />
Average number of child workers per establishment<br />
1.16<br />
1.37<br />
1.21<br />
10.<br />
Average number of child workers per household<br />
1.19<br />
1.15<br />
1.16<br />
11.<br />
Age distributi<strong>on</strong> of child workers (percent)<br />
5-9<br />
2.4<br />
4.6<br />
4.0<br />
10-14<br />
49.8<br />
48.2<br />
48.6<br />
15-17<br />
47.8<br />
47.2<br />
47.4<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
S.L<br />
Indicators/ Key results<br />
Urban<br />
Rural<br />
Total<br />
12.<br />
Main occupati<strong>on</strong> of parents (percent)<br />
Self employed/ business<br />
32.6<br />
30.8<br />
31.1<br />
Day labourer<br />
27.3<br />
21.5<br />
22.4<br />
Agriculture<br />
11.7<br />
14.6<br />
14.1<br />
Service<br />
5.9<br />
1.7<br />
2.4<br />
Others<br />
22.5<br />
31.4<br />
30.0<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
13.<br />
Method of recruitment of child workers as reported by<br />
employers (percent)<br />
Through child workers' friends/ relative<br />
13.0<br />
4.5<br />
6.6<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tact through other child workers<br />
3.5<br />
1.7<br />
2.1<br />
Self-c<strong>on</strong>tact<br />
15.5<br />
10.5<br />
11.7<br />
At the request of parents<br />
59.4<br />
67.2<br />
65.3<br />
Others<br />
6.8<br />
11.6<br />
10.4<br />
Not reported(NR)<br />
1.9<br />
4.5<br />
3.8<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
14.<br />
Child workers by level of educati<strong>on</strong> (%)<br />
Literate based <strong>on</strong> informal educati<strong>on</strong><br />
4.6<br />
3.5<br />
3.8<br />
Below class V<br />
57.2<br />
63.1<br />
61.2<br />
Up to class V<br />
29.8<br />
26.2<br />
27.4<br />
Up to class VIII<br />
7.6<br />
6.5<br />
6.9<br />
SSC passed<br />
0.7<br />
0.6<br />
0.6<br />
Others<br />
0.1<br />
0.1<br />
0.1<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
15.<br />
Child workers by reas<strong>on</strong>s for not attending school (%)<br />
Cannot bear educati<strong>on</strong> exp.<br />
42.8<br />
50.4<br />
45.0<br />
For work<br />
22.2<br />
12.6<br />
19.5<br />
Parents did not sent school<br />
10.2<br />
8.8<br />
9.8<br />
School is too far<br />
0.7<br />
0.7<br />
0.7<br />
Un-successes in exam<br />
1.9<br />
2.3<br />
2.0<br />
Abuse/ beatch<br />
0.5<br />
0.4<br />
0.4<br />
Not inter st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
19.7<br />
22.8<br />
20.6<br />
Others<br />
2.1<br />
1.9<br />
2.0<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
16.<br />
Households by main sources of income as reported By<br />
child workers (%)<br />
Farming<br />
11.5<br />
11.7<br />
11.7<br />
Catching fish/ pisciculture<br />
5.6<br />
16.4<br />
13.5<br />
Agriculture day labourers<br />
14.8<br />
13.8<br />
14.1<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-agriculture day-labourers<br />
24.1<br />
13.9<br />
16.5<br />
Business/ hawking<br />
18.0<br />
15.8<br />
16.4<br />
Service<br />
5.8<br />
1.6<br />
2.8<br />
Rickshaw/ van puller<br />
14.0<br />
23.0<br />
20.5<br />
Others<br />
6.2<br />
3.8<br />
4.5<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
103
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S.L<br />
Indicators/ Key results<br />
Urban<br />
Rural<br />
Total<br />
17.<br />
Main occupati<strong>on</strong> of parents of child workers (%)<br />
Self employed/ business<br />
32.6<br />
30.8<br />
31.1<br />
Day labourer<br />
27.3<br />
21.5<br />
22.4<br />
Agriculture<br />
11.7<br />
14.6<br />
14.1<br />
Service<br />
5.9<br />
1.7<br />
2.4<br />
Others<br />
22.5<br />
31.4<br />
30.0<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
18.<br />
Weekly hours worked by child workers (%)<br />
Less than 14<br />
1.4<br />
2.4<br />
2.1<br />
14-19<br />
4.8<br />
9.9<br />
8.5<br />
20-25<br />
2.6<br />
5.7<br />
4.8<br />
26-42<br />
6.5<br />
11.1<br />
9.9<br />
43+<br />
84.5<br />
70.8<br />
74.6<br />
Not reported<br />
0.2<br />
0.1<br />
0.1<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
19.<br />
Child workers by number of m<strong>on</strong>ths worked in a Year (%)<br />
No. of m<strong>on</strong>ths worked<br />
< 6<br />
21.4<br />
12.8<br />
15.2<br />
6-9<br />
16.5<br />
18.3<br />
17.8<br />
10<br />
7.2<br />
7.8<br />
7.7<br />
11<br />
6.3<br />
7.5<br />
7.1<br />
12<br />
48.5<br />
53.5<br />
52.2<br />
Not reported<br />
0.1<br />
0.1<br />
0.1<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
20.<br />
Child labour by age group <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> gender<br />
5-11 years<br />
Male<br />
14,832<br />
46,786<br />
61,618<br />
Female<br />
1,069<br />
3,744<br />
4,813<br />
Total<br />
15,901<br />
50,530<br />
66,431<br />
12-14 years<br />
Male<br />
59,201<br />
151,641<br />
210,842<br />
Female<br />
1,562<br />
4,354<br />
5,916<br />
Total<br />
60,763<br />
155,995<br />
216,758<br />
15-17 years<br />
Male<br />
66,451<br />
178,845<br />
245,296<br />
Female<br />
2,905<br />
983<br />
3,888<br />
Total<br />
69,356<br />
179,828<br />
249,184<br />
5-17 years<br />
Male<br />
140,484<br />
377,272<br />
517,756<br />
Female<br />
5,536<br />
9,081<br />
14,617<br />
Total<br />
146,020<br />
386,353<br />
532,373<br />
104
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S.L<br />
Indicators/ Key results<br />
Urban<br />
Rural<br />
Total<br />
21.<br />
Employers' awareness <strong>on</strong> legality of employing<br />
Child workers (%)<br />
Aware about legality<br />
55.1<br />
41.8<br />
45.0<br />
Not aware<br />
44.0<br />
57.4<br />
54.2<br />
Not reported<br />
0.9<br />
0.8<br />
0.8<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
22.<br />
Reas<strong>on</strong> for stopping children's work (%)<br />
Sufficient family income<br />
80.2<br />
80.1<br />
80.2<br />
Able to bear educati<strong>on</strong>al expenses<br />
11.6<br />
7.4<br />
8.0<br />
Having sufficient l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
3.4<br />
7.9<br />
7.1<br />
School is too far<br />
0.1<br />
0.3<br />
0.3<br />
Others<br />
4.2<br />
3.0<br />
3.2<br />
Not reported<br />
0.5<br />
1.3<br />
1.2<br />
Total<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
100.0<br />
Annex: 5<br />
Highlights of Time Bound Programme (TBP)<br />
Introducti<strong>on</strong><br />
Launched in March 2004, with the l<strong>on</strong>g term objective of developing nati<strong>on</strong>al framework for eliminati<strong>on</strong> of WFCL, the major<br />
activities performed during 2005-06. TBP is a joint TA project under Ministry of Labour <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Employment involving 18<br />
Ministries (each having a Focal Point), supported jointly by UNICEF, ADB <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ILO (lead agency).<br />
Immediate Objectives included:<br />
> Knowledge Base Development<br />
> Alliance Building am<strong>on</strong>g the Stakeholders<br />
Activities performed under Knowledge Base Development<br />
> Review of Documents/literature <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> identificati<strong>on</strong> of knowledge gaps/shortfalls<br />
> C<strong>on</strong>ducting 13 research studies in the Thematic Areas Educati<strong>on</strong>, Poverty Reducti<strong>on</strong>, Labour Protecti<strong>on</strong> etc<br />
> C<strong>on</strong>ducting 2 Nati<strong>on</strong>wide baseline surveys to determine1)Hazardous Child Labour (with BBS) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 2)Child Domestic<br />
Labour (with a c<strong>on</strong>sulting firm)<br />
Activities performed under Alliance Building<br />
> Organizing several c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> meetings, seminars, orientati<strong>on</strong>, workshops with stakeholders<br />
> 3 Strategic planning workshops with the nati<strong>on</strong>al stakeholders to develop Nati<strong>on</strong>al TBP Framework<br />
Major Outcomes<br />
> 4 Comp<strong>on</strong>ent Prodocs drafted out of 9 planned<br />
> 1 Comp<strong>on</strong>ent Programme, funded by Royal Netherl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s Government, is approved by GoB, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> started implementati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Latest Status<br />
LO is in the process of mobilizing resources for other comp<strong>on</strong>ent programmes.<br />
105
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Annex: 6<br />
Facilities Developed by MoSW during 2000-2006<br />
SL<br />
Facilities<br />
Number<br />
Capacity<br />
(# children )<br />
Locati<strong>on</strong><br />
01<br />
Baby Home (ChhotoNibash)<br />
3<br />
300<br />
Khulna, Barisal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Sylhet<br />
02<br />
Development <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Extensi<strong>on</strong> of Training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> Centre for Destitute <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Vagrant<br />
1<br />
100<br />
Sylhet<br />
03<br />
Adolescent Development Centre (KUK)<br />
1<br />
150<br />
Gazipur<br />
04<br />
Training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> Centre for Destitute<br />
Children<br />
1<br />
300<br />
Gopalganj<br />
05<br />
Establishment of Shishu paribar (orphanage) at<br />
Mujibnagar<br />
1<br />
100<br />
Meherpur<br />
06<br />
Shishu Paribar<br />
1<br />
100<br />
B<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>arban<br />
07<br />
Safe Home<br />
6<br />
300<br />
Rajshahi, Chittag<strong>on</strong>g,<br />
Sylhet, Barisal,<br />
Bagerhat <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Faridpur<br />
TOTAL<br />
14<br />
1350<br />
106
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Annex: 7<br />
Initial breastfeeding, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics Percentage who started Percentage who started Number of women with<br />
breastfeeding within breastfeeding within live birth in the two<br />
<strong>on</strong>e hour of birth <strong>on</strong>e day of birth years preceding the<br />
survey<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 41.9 82.7 738<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 32.4 83.1 2554<br />
Dhaka 36.5 79.9 3697<br />
Khulna 32.7 80.9 1145<br />
Rajshahi 34.3 79.0 2740<br />
Sylhet 42.3 89.7 1024<br />
Area Rural 35.5 81.7 8757<br />
Urban 36.0 81.0 3040<br />
Urban municipality 37.0 82.3 2230<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 33.1 77.5 811<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 33.0 77.3 729<br />
Slum 34.5 79.1 81<br />
Tribal 29.9 78.9 101<br />
M<strong>on</strong>ths since last birth < 6 m<strong>on</strong>ths 34.6 79.0 2352<br />
6-11 m<strong>on</strong>ths 37.1 81.9 3442<br />
12-23 m<strong>on</strong>ths 35.2 82.3 6104<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> N<strong>on</strong>e 32.8 79.9 3730<br />
Primary incomplete 34.6 83.1 1892<br />
Primary completed 38.1 82.3 1551<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary 37.5 82.0 3429<br />
incomplete<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary 36.9 81.3 1260<br />
completed or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard 40.6 85.1 38<br />
curriculum<br />
Wealth index quintiles Poorest 34.0 80.8 2908<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>d 34.5 80.4 2535<br />
Middle 35.6 82.8 2230<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 38.2 82.5 2238<br />
Richest 36.5 81.3 1989<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 35.6 81.5 11899<br />
107
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Annex: 8<br />
Breastfeeding, MICS 2006<br />
Percent of living children according to breastfeeding status at each age group, Bangladesh, 2006<br />
Background characteristics Children 0-3 m<strong>on</strong>ths Children 0-5 m<strong>on</strong>ths Children 6-9 m<strong>on</strong>ths Children 12-15 m<strong>on</strong>ths Children 20-23 m<strong>on</strong>ths<br />
Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number<br />
exclusively of children exclusively of children receiving of children breastfed of children breastfed of children<br />
breastfed breastfed breast milk<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> solid/<br />
mushy food<br />
Sex Male 48.0 694 36.0 1192 50.3 1201 94.4 938 88.4 1201<br />
Female 51.5 645 39.0 1110 53.2 1074 96.6 889 90.0 1096<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 43.5 75 30.1 142 46.3 152 93.7 106 90.9 141<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 57.4 355 48.8 550 45.1 486 96.9 403 80.5 446<br />
Dhaka 44.0 387 30.4 683 48.6 735 95.0 586 89.4 733<br />
Khulna 47.9 127 38.3 205 70.6 186 96.7 193 94.5 246<br />
Rajshahi 51.7 285 38.5 524 58.7 493 95.4 419 94.8 533<br />
Sylhet 45.8 110 31.6 198 48.5 223 92.4 119 85.0 198<br />
Area Rural 50.2 983 37.7 1717 53.2 1685 97.1 1349 90.0 1663<br />
Urban 47.2 342 35.2 562 46.9 572 90.7 465 86.8 618<br />
Urban municipality 46.9 237 35.9 394 45.4 432 92.5 344 86.4 457<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 47.9 105 33.7 168 51.4 140 85.5 121 87.8 161<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 46.5 95 32.0 155 50.9 123 84.2 108 87.7 148<br />
Slum 61.0 10 52.5 14 54.7 17 95.7 13 89.8 12<br />
Tribal 72.8 14 68.6 23 56.8 18 100.0 12 92.1 16<br />
Mother's N<strong>on</strong>e 48.1 397 37.2 680 46.3 746 96.8 550 89.4 729<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> Primary incomplete 56.5 193 40.0 348 48.6 345 97.8 300 90.6 356<br />
Primary completed 49.6 171 34.3 305 55.8 329 97.1 240 92.0 299<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 49.9 435 38.5 698 56.7 637 95.1 522 87.5 676<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 44.3 138 35.8 264 53.5 217 86.8 200 87.4 234<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 37.5 5 23.1 8 100.0 1 100.0 13 100.0 3<br />
Wealth Poorest 49.6 283 36.0 521 51.8 610 98.3 416 91.2 576<br />
index Sec<strong>on</strong>d 48.3 287 35.6 500 47.5 494 96.4 385 90.8 469<br />
quintiles Middle 51.7 260 39.6 424 50.7 387 98.7 374 89.3 403<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 49.7 264 39.6 463 58.1 428 96.3 332 89.2 434<br />
Richest 49.1 244 36.8 392 50.5 357 86.0 320 84.4 414<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 49.7 1338 37.4 2302 51.7 2275 95.4 1826 89.2 2297<br />
108
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Annex: 9<br />
Iodized salt c<strong>on</strong>sumpti<strong>on</strong>, MICS 2006<br />
Percentage of households c<strong>on</strong>suming adequately iodized salt,<br />
Bangladesh, 2006<br />
Background Percent of Number of Percent of households Total Number of<br />
characteristics households households with salt test result households<br />
in which salt interviewed Percent of Not Iodized in which<br />
was tested households iodized (10+ PPM)* salt was<br />
with no salt<br />
tested or<br />
with no salt<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 99.1 3909 .6 9.1 90.3 100.0 3901<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 99.0 11015 .8 21.5 77.7 100.0 10987<br />
Dhaka 98.6 20219 1.0 15.0 84.0 100.0 20128<br />
Khulna 99.1 7465 .7 5.7 93.6 100.0 7445<br />
Rajshahi 98.4 16432 1.3 17.0 81.7 100.0 16379<br />
Sylhet 98.9 3423 .9 7.0 92.1 100.0 3415<br />
Area Rural 98.8 43735 .9 17.8 81.2 100.0 43614<br />
Urban 98.6 18138 1.0 7.5 91.5 100.0 18056<br />
Urban 98.7 12925 1.0 8.5 90.4 100.0 12888<br />
municipality<br />
City 98.3 5213 .8 4.8 94.3 100.0 5169<br />
Corporati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 98.3 4793 .8 4.5 94.6 100.0 4750<br />
Slum 98.5 420 1.0 8.1 90.9 100.0 418<br />
Tribal 98.7 590 .7 11.8 87.6 100.0 586<br />
Wealth index Poorest 98.2 13530 1.5 23.4 75.1 100.0 13493<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 98.8 13019 .9 19.6 79.5 100.0 12982<br />
Middle 98.9 12397 .8 15.5 83.7 100.0 12361<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 98.9 11572 .8 10.1 89.1 100.0 11532<br />
Richest 98.9 11946 .6 3.5 95.8 100.0 11888<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 98.7 62463 1.0 14.8 84.3 100.0 62256<br />
109
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Annex: 10<br />
Children's vitamin A supplementati<strong>on</strong>, MICS 2006<br />
Background Percent of children who received Vitamin A TOTAL<br />
characteristics Within last Prior to last Not sure Not sure if Never Total Number of<br />
6 m<strong>on</strong>ths* 6 m<strong>on</strong>ths when received received children<br />
Vitamin A aged 6-59<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ths<br />
Sex Male 85.1 2.0 1.1 .4 11.4 100.0 15030<br />
Female 84.7 1.8 1.2 .4 11.9 100.0 14234<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 84.6 2.7 1.8 .5 10.4 100.0 1731<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 86.0 1.2 .8 .4 11.6 100.0 6247<br />
Dhaka 84.2 2.0 1.0 .4 12.4 100.0 9259<br />
Khulna 87.6 2.0 .7 .1 9.6 100.0 2943<br />
Rajshahi 84.8 2.4 1.8 .5 10.4 100.0 6760<br />
Sylhet 81.9 1.3 1.0 .3 15.5 100.0 2324<br />
Area Rural 84.0 2.0 1.3 .4 12.3 100.0 21317<br />
Urban 87.7 1.5 .8 .4 9.5 100.0 7718<br />
Urban 87.6 1.6 .8 .4 9.6 100.0 5667<br />
municipality<br />
City 88.0 1.5 1.0 .2 9.3 100.0 2051<br />
Corporati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 88.6 1.4 .9 .2 8.9 100.0 1854<br />
Slum 83.1 1.6 1.6 .5 13.2 100.0 197<br />
Tribal 77.8 2.8 1.6 .6 17.2 100.0 230<br />
Age 6-11 m<strong>on</strong>ths 31.2 .2 .5 .4 67.8 100.0 3367<br />
12-23 m<strong>on</strong>ths 88.7 1.9 .9 .3 8.3 100.0 6032<br />
24-35 m<strong>on</strong>ths 92.6 2.0 1.4 .4 3.6 100.0 6320<br />
36-47 m<strong>on</strong>ths 92.9 2.5 1.3 .5 2.9 100.0 6789<br />
48-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths 93.1 2.1 1.4 .3 3.0 100.0 6751<br />
Mother's N<strong>on</strong>e 83.1 1.9 1.7 .5 12.9 100.0 10545<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> Primary 84.3 2.5 1.3 .5 11.4 100.0 4650<br />
incomplete<br />
Primary 84.9 2.0 .7 .3 12.2 100.0 3779<br />
completed<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary 86.0 1.9 .8 .3 11.0 100.0 7250<br />
incomplete<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary 89.7 1.0 .7 .2 8.4 100.0 2941<br />
completed<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard 90.1 1.9 1.2 .1 6.7 100.0 99<br />
curriculum<br />
Wealth Poorest 81.8 2.2 1.5 .4 14.1 100.0 7465<br />
index Sec<strong>on</strong>d 82.6 2.7 1.4 .4 12.9 100.0 6115<br />
quintiles Middle 86.1 1.6 1.1 .6 10.7 100.0 5494<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 86.9 1.4 1.1 .3 10.2 100.0 5391<br />
Richest 89.1 1.4 .5 .2 8.8 100.0 4800<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 84.9 1.9 1.2 .4 11.6 100.0 29264<br />
110
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 11<br />
Low birth weight infants, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics Percent of live births Percent of live births Number of<br />
below 2500 grams * weighed at birth ** live births<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 24.0 13.5 738<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 27.6 11.8 2554<br />
Dhaka 27.1 17.0 3697<br />
Khulna 25.4 20.3 1145<br />
Rajshahi 25.7 16.3 2740<br />
Sylhet 29.5 12.4 1024<br />
Area Rural 26.9 11.4 8757<br />
Urban 26.4 27.4 3040<br />
Urban municipality 25.9 24.1 2230<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 27.9 36.6 811<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 27.7 39.5 729<br />
Slum 29.8 10.1 81<br />
Tribal 24.1 4.3 101<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> N<strong>on</strong>e 28.4 6.0 3730<br />
Primary incomplete 26.6 8.6 1892<br />
Primary completed 27.1 10.0 1551<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 25.8 18.7 3429<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed or higher 24.1 52.0 1260<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 23.7 4.6 38<br />
Wealth index Poorest 28.2 7.6 2908<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 26.9 7.3 2535<br />
Middle 26.5 10.7 2230<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 25.9 16.1 2238<br />
Richest 25.5 42.0 1989<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 26.7 15.5 11899<br />
111
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Annex: 12<br />
Vaccinati<strong>on</strong>s by background characteristics, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics BCG DPT1 DPT2 DPT3 Polio 0 Polio 1 Polio 2 Polio 3 Measles All N<strong>on</strong>e Percent No. of<br />
with children<br />
health aged<br />
card 12-23<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ths<br />
Sex Male 97.6 97.0 95.1 90.9 7.1 99.0 98.0 95.5 88.2 84.7 .9 65.9 3109<br />
Female 96.3 95.8 93.8 89.0 7.3 99.2 98.2 95.5 86.1 82.7 .7 65.0 2923<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 98.0 97.6 95.6 89.5 13.1 98.9 97.6 94.3 90.4 83.4 .9 64.8 376<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 96.3 95.3 93.9 90.9 6.2 98.9 97.9 94.2 85.7 83.4 1.1 64.5 1282<br />
Dhaka 97.3 96.6 94.8 89.0 6.6 99.3 98.5 96.1 85.2 81.8 .5 60.0 1868<br />
Khulna 98.9 98.9 97.5 95.9 6.2 99.8 99.5 98.6 92.6 90.6 .2 70.3 609<br />
Rajshahi 97.8 97.5 95.3 90.5 8.0 99.6 98.7 96.4 90.6 85.9 .2 70.3 1386<br />
Sylhet 91.9 91.6 87.6 83.3 6.3 96.4 94.7 91.5 79.8 77.5 3.4 69.3 510<br />
Area Rural 96.7 96.1 93.9 89.2 5.9 99.0 98.0 95.3 86.7 83.1 .9 65.3 4403<br />
Urban 98.0 97.7 96.1 92.4 10.8 99.4 98.7 96.4 88.6 85.7 .5 65.8 1583<br />
Urban municipality 98.2 98.2 96.6 93.4 8.9 99.3 99.0 96.7 89.0 86.6 .6 69.1 1191<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 97.2 96.0 94.4 89.4 16.7 99.7 98.0 95.5 87.6 82.9 .3 56.0 392<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 97.7 96.5 95.0 90.4 17.5 99.7 98.3 95.9 89.1 84.2 .3 57.2 359<br />
Slum 92.4 90.7 86.8 78.7 7.7 98.7 94.5 91.9 71.0 68.9 1.3 42.5 33<br />
Tribal 88.8 87.0 85.1 80.6 2.5 94.0 92.1 86.4 78.7 76.2 5.1 67.8 46<br />
Mother's educati<strong>on</strong> N<strong>on</strong>e 94.5 93.2 90.1 83.6 4.0 98.5 97.0 93.5 81.6 77.0 1.4 59.8 1919<br />
Primary incomplete 97.0 96.9 93.7 87.8 4.4 99.1 97.3 93.1 83.4 79.0 .9 66.5 939<br />
Primary completed 97.3 96.8 95.5 91.7 5.3 99.0 98.1 96.2 87.8 84.6 .9 67.2 755<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 98.8 98.8 97.9 95.6 8.8 99.7 99.4 98.1 92.3 90.9 .1 70.6 1727<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 99.3 99.0 98.5 95.6 18.5 99.1 99.0 97.1 95.1 91.0 .7 65.7 666<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 81.7 81.7 78.9 72.3 .0 100.0 100.0 88.2 70.6 63.9 .0 53.5 26<br />
Wealth index quintiles Poorest 94.0 93.5 90.3 84.2 4.2 98.6 96.8 93.8 82.5 78.0 1.3 62.3 1438<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>d 97.0 96.1 93.8 88.0 4.9 98.9 98.2 94.7 83.5 80.1 1.0 64.1 1283<br />
Middle 96.7 96.1 94.3 89.4 6.5 98.8 98.0 95.0 87.1 83.2 1.2 67.9 1175<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 99.0 98.7 97.3 95.1 7.0 99.6 99.0 97.2 91.7 89.6 .2 67.7 1101<br />
Richest 99.1 98.8 98.0 95.7 15.1 99.7 99.1 97.4 93.5 90.6 .0 66.3 1036<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 97.0 96.4 94.4 90.0 7.2 99.1 98.1 95.5 87.2 83.7 .8 65.5 6032<br />
112
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 13<br />
Oral rehydrati<strong>on</strong> treatment, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Had<br />
diarrhoea<br />
in last two<br />
weeks<br />
Number of<br />
children<br />
aged 0-59<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ths<br />
Fluid from<br />
ORS<br />
packet<br />
Recommen<br />
ded<br />
homemade<br />
fluid<br />
Prepackaged<br />
ORS fluid<br />
No<br />
treatment<br />
ORT use<br />
rate<br />
No. of<br />
children<br />
aged 0-59<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ths<br />
with<br />
diarrhoea<br />
Sex Male 7.4 16222 63.4 12.5 4.4 29.3 70.7 1200<br />
Female 6.9 15344 61.8 14.6 3.0 30.7 69.3 1054<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 8.9 1873 61.6 18.3 3.3 31.8 68.2 167<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 7.6 6797 68.7 12.1 1.0 26.5 73.5 515<br />
Dhaka 7.1 9942 63.0 16.5 6.5 27.2 72.8 704<br />
Khulna 4.4 3148 56.5 4.8 1.9 39.9 60.1 139<br />
Rajshahi 7.4 7284 60.2 12.3 4.0 31.6 68.4 540<br />
Sylhet 7.5 2521 57.9 11.7 1.9 35.5 64.5 188<br />
Area Rural 7.1 23034 59.5 14.1 2.9 32.3 67.7 1630<br />
Urban 7.4 8280 71.2 11.9 6.1 23.5 76.5 611<br />
Urban municipality 7.1 6061 70.3 11.7 4.7 24.3 75.7 428<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 8.2 2219 73.3 12.4 9.3 21.7 78.3 183<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 7.9 2009 73.9 13.1 10.1 20.7 79.3 159<br />
Slum 11.2 210 69.0 7.1 3.6 28.6 71.4 24<br />
Tribal 5.1 253 61.5 4.3 3.3 32.8 67.2 13<br />
Age < 6 m<strong>on</strong>ths 4.7 2302 38.4 4.7 1.1 57.7 42.3 108<br />
6-11 m<strong>on</strong>ths 11.1 3367 59.1 12.0 2.0 35.6 64.4 375<br />
12-23 m<strong>on</strong>ths 10.1 6032 68.6 11.7 4.1 26.5 73.5 606<br />
24-35 m<strong>on</strong>ths 7.0 6320 62.8 15.9 5.0 28.1 71.9 443<br />
36-47 m<strong>on</strong>ths 5.7 6789 65.1 13.0 2.3 27.3 72.7 388<br />
48-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths 4.9 6751 61.0 18.7 6.0 26.1 73.9 332<br />
Mother's N<strong>on</strong>e 7.9 11224 58.6 11.8 2.1 33.8 66.2 882<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> Primary incomplete 8.3 4997 62.2 14.7 3.2 30.2 69.8 417<br />
Primary completed 6.7 4084 60.0 17.6 8.3 30.1 69.9 274<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 6.2 7948 66.6 12.5 3.8 27.9 72.1 489<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 5.5 3204 77.1 15.4 6.2 16.0 84.0 178<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard 13.6 106 67.8 9.3 .0 22.9 77.1 14<br />
curriculum<br />
Wealth Poorest 8.6 7987 57.5 12.6 1.8 34.6 65.4 685<br />
index Sec<strong>on</strong>d 7.6 6615 59.4 13.9 3.0 32.7 67.3 502<br />
quintiles Middle 7.1 5918 60.9 15.2 3.3 30.5 69.5 420<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 5.6 5854 71.3 13.1 4.6 23.1 76.9 325<br />
Richest 6.2 5192 72.4 12.8 8.7 21.6 78.4 321<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 7.1 31566 62.7 13.5 3.7 29.9 70.1 2254<br />
113
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Annex: 14<br />
Use of improved water sources, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics Main source of drinking water<br />
Improved sources Unimproved sources<br />
Piped Piped Public Tube Protected Protected Rain Unprotected Unprotected Surface other Total Improved Number<br />
into into tap/ well well spring water well spring water source of of<br />
dwelling yard or st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> bore- collecti<strong>on</strong> drinking household<br />
pit pipe hole water members<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal .5 .2 .9 95.0 .1 .0 .2 .0 .0 3.1 .0 100.0 96.9 19099<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 4.3 2.2 1.5 87.7 1.1 .3 .1 1.1 .7 1.0 .1 100.0 97.2 59424<br />
Dhaka 9.2 5.4 2.5 82.4 .2 .0 .0 .1 .0 .1 .1 100.0 99.6 95557<br />
Khulna .7 1.1 2.5 87.0 .1 .0 .3 .0 .0 7.9 .4 100.0 91.7 33854<br />
Rajshahi .5 .4 .5 97.2 .5 .0 .0 .7 .0 .0 .2 100.0 99.1 73400<br />
Sylhet 2.8 .9 1.1 87.8 .8 .0 .1 .4 .1 6.0 .0 100.0 93.5 20398<br />
Area Rural .1 .2 .3 95.9 .6 .1 .1 .5 .1 2.2 .1 100.0 97.1 212285<br />
Urban 14.3 8.1 5.0 71.5 .1 .0 .0 .0 .0 .5 .2 100.0 99.2 86762<br />
Urban municipality 4.4 3.5 3.2 87.6 .2 .0 .0 .0 .0 .8 .2 100.0 99.0 62086<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 39.0 19.8 9.6 31.2 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .2 100.0 99.7 24676<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 42.1 18.2 7.9 31.5 .0 .0 .1 .0 .0 .0 .2 100.0 99.7 22763<br />
Slum 2.4 39.7 29.8 27.7 .1 .0 .0 .0 .0 .1 .1 100.0 99.8 1913<br />
Tribal .0 .3 .2 70.7 6.6 .8 .0 10.5 5.4 3.3 2.3 100.0 78.5 2685<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> of N<strong>on</strong>e .6 1.7 1.7 92.6 .7 .1 .1 .5 .2 1.8 .1 100.0 97.4 130785<br />
household Primary incomplete 1.3 2.2 1.8 90.9 .6 .1 .0 .5 .3 2.1 .1 100.0 96.9 38100<br />
head Primary completed 2.2 2.1 1.6 91.1 .3 .0 .1 .3 .1 2.1 .1 100.0 97.4 32288<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 3.8 3.4 1.7 88.2 .3 .1 .1 .3 .1 1.7 .3 100.0 97.6 50570<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 17.8 3.8 1.3 75.3 .2 .1 .1 .2 .0 .9 .1 100.0 98.7 48344<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum .7 .0 .0 95.5 .0 1.5 .0 1.9 .0 .4 .0 100.0 97.8 846<br />
Missing/DK .1 15.8 1.9 80.9 .6 .0 .0 .2 .0 .4 .0 100.0 99.4 798<br />
Wealth index Poorest .0 .0 .0 98.7 .3 .0 .0 .2 .0 .7 .0 100.0 99.0 60145<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d .0 .0 .5 95.0 .7 .1 .0 .7 .2 2.7 .1 100.0 96.4 60461<br />
Middle .0 .6 2.0 91.7 .9 .2 .1 .8 .4 3.1 .1 100.0 95.6 60435<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> .2 2.5 2.9 91.4 .4 .0 .2 .3 .1 1.7 .3 100.0 97.5 60343<br />
Richest 20.6 9.1 2.8 66.6 .1 .0 .0 .1 .0 .4 .1 100.0 99.3 60349<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 4.2 2.4 1.6 88.7 .5 .1 .1 .4 .1 1.7 .1 100.0 97.6 301732<br />
114
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 15<br />
Household water treatment<br />
Background characteristics Water treatment method used in the household<br />
N<strong>on</strong>e Boil Add<br />
bleach/<br />
chlorine<br />
Strain<br />
through<br />
a cloth<br />
Use<br />
water<br />
filter<br />
Use<br />
fitkiri<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 93.1 3.5 .2 .8 .9 4.7 .1 .1 .0 6.5 19099 3.6 18500 97.0 599<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 93.4 4.6 .0 .9 .9 1.5 .1 .0 .0 6.0 59424 5.6 57765 21.5 1659<br />
Dhaka 87.3 10.6 .2 3.2 2.2 .6 .0 .3 .0 12.4 95557 12.3 95211 17.8 346<br />
Khulna 90.7 .8 .0 2.3 4.9 3.4 .1 .2 .0 8.4 33854 3.0 31044 69.0 2810<br />
Rajshahi 98.3 .5 .0 .3 .9 .1 .1 .1 .0 1.4 73400 1.4 72768 .3 632<br />
Sylhet 90.8 3.1 .1 1.4 4.9 .9 .2 .1 .0 8.2 20398 6.8 19077 28.2 1321<br />
Area Rural 96.7 .8 .0 .7 1.4 1.1 .1 .0 .0 2.9 212285 1.5 206210 47.4 6075<br />
Urban 80.9 15.1 .2 4.1 3.7 1.6 .0 .4 .0 18.5 86762 18.2 86046 58.3 716<br />
Urban municipality 92.6 3.4 .1 .9 3.2 1.5 .0 .2 .0 7.0 62086 6.5 61439 60.6 648<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 51.6 44.5 .6 12.3 4.9 1.9 .0 1.0 .0 47.5 24676 47.5 24607 36.5 69<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 48.2 47.7 .6 13.1 5.3 1.9 .0 1.1 .0 50.9 22763 51.0 22698 34.9 65<br />
Slum 92.4 5.4 .1 1.9 .3 1.0 .1 .2 .0 6.7 1913 6.6 1910 69.6 3<br />
Tribal 96.0 .9 .0 2.7 .4 .1 .0 .0 .0 1.3 2685 1.0 2109 2.7 576<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> of N<strong>on</strong>e 97.0 1.2 .1 .9 .7 .8 .1 .1 .0 2.5 130785 1.6 127326 34.9 3459<br />
household head Primary incomplete 95.1 2.5 .1 1.1 1.0 1.4 .1 .0 .0 4.5 38100 3.1 36909 46.8 1191<br />
Primary completed 94.0 2.9 .0 1.2 1.8 1.5 .1 .0 .0 5.6 32288 4.1 31435 59.8 853<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 91.3 5.2 .1 1.9 2.1 1.4 .1 .1 .0 8.1 50570 6.9 49364 55.1 1206<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 76.4 17.7 .1 4.4 6.4 1.9 .0 .6 .0 23.1 48344 22.7 47710 57.5 634<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 98.3 .4 .0 .0 1.1 .7 .0 .0 .0 1.7 846 1.4 827 16.7 19<br />
Missing/DK 84.5 10.3 .0 11.0 2.6 .5 1.5 .0 .0 13.3 798 13.0 794 72.9 5<br />
Wealth index Poorest 98.9 .2 .0 .3 .3 .4 .1 .0 .0 .9 60145 .6 59542 27.4 603<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 97.2 .7 .1 .7 .8 1.2 .1 .0 .0 2.3 60461 .9 58271 39.6 2190<br />
Middle 96.0 1.1 .0 1.0 1.3 1.7 .1 .1 .0 3.5 60435 1.5 57772 45.6 2663<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 95.6 1.1 .1 .9 1.8 1.3 .1 .0 .0 3.9 60343 2.6 58853 54.6 1490<br />
Richest 73.2 21.3 .2 5.7 5.9 1.6 .0 .5 .0 26.2 60349 26.0 59927 59.8 422<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 92.2 4.9 .1 1.7 2.0 1.2 .1 .1 .0 7.4 301732 6.4 294365 45.0 7367<br />
Let it<br />
st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
settle<br />
Other D<strong>on</strong>'t<br />
know<br />
All drinking<br />
water<br />
sources:<br />
Appropriate<br />
water<br />
treatment<br />
method *<br />
Number of<br />
household<br />
members<br />
Improved<br />
drinking<br />
water<br />
sources:<br />
Appropriate<br />
water<br />
treatment<br />
method<br />
Number of<br />
household<br />
members<br />
Unimprove<br />
d drinking<br />
water<br />
sources:<br />
Appropriate<br />
water<br />
treatment<br />
method<br />
Number of<br />
household<br />
members<br />
115
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Annex: 16<br />
Time to source of water, MICS 2006<br />
Percent distributi<strong>on</strong> of households according to time to go to source of drinking water, get water <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> return, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
mean time to source of drinking water, Bangladesh, 2006<br />
Background characteristics Time to source of drinking water<br />
Water <strong>on</strong><br />
premises<br />
Less than<br />
15 minutes<br />
15 minutes<br />
to less<br />
than 30<br />
minutes<br />
30 minutes<br />
to less<br />
than 1<br />
hour<br />
1 hour or<br />
more<br />
DK Missing TOTAL Mean time (in minutes) to<br />
source of drinking water<br />
(excluding those <strong>on</strong><br />
premises)<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 27.4 43.4 16.8 10.4 1.4 .5 .0 100.0 14.6 3909<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 59.2 26.7 8.9 4.3 .7 .3 .0 100.0 13.3 11015<br />
Dhaka 77.1 17.5 3.8 1.3 .1 .1 .1 100.0 10.3 20219<br />
Khulna 58.6 28.0 7.6 4.3 1.4 .1 .0 100.0 14.4 7465<br />
Rajshahi 78.6 18.4 2.3 .4 .1 .2 .1 100.0 8.3 16432<br />
Sylhet 59.7 24.0 10.3 4.9 .8 .2 .2 100.0 14.5 3423<br />
Area Rural 65.1 24.2 6.9 3.1 .6 .2 .1 100.0 12.5 43735<br />
Urban 76.6 18.2 3.3 1.5 .2 .1 .1 100.0 10.7 18138<br />
Urban municipality 75.6 18.8 3.7 1.6 .2 .1 .1 100.0 11.0 12925<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 79.2 16.7 2.3 1.3 .1 .3 .2 100.0 9.7 5213<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 80.6 15.7 2.0 1.1 .0 .3 .2 100.0 9.3 4793<br />
Slum 63.2 27.2 5.5 3.0 .7 .3 .1 100.0 12.0 420<br />
Tribal 24.2 41.8 18.5 11.5 3.7 .2 .0 100.0 16.9 590<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> of N<strong>on</strong>e 62.0 26.5 7.3 3.3 .6 .3 .1 100.0 12.4 27559<br />
household head Primary incomplete 62.7 26.1 6.8 3.5 .7 .1 .1 100.0 12.6 7721<br />
Primary completed 68.2 22.3 6.0 2.9 .4 .1 .0 100.0 12.4 6506<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 73.8 18.7 4.8 2.1 .4 .1 .1 100.0 12.0 10349<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 82.8 13.2 2.6 1.0 .1 .1 .2 100.0 10.4 9982<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 61.4 32.4 4.1 2.0 .0 .0 .0 100.0 8.8 190<br />
Missing/DK 68.8 20.9 4.8 4.0 1.5 .0 .0 100.0 17.6 154<br />
Wealth index Poorest 58.6 29.7 7.9 3.0 .5 .2 .1 100.0 11.7 13530<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 59.0 26.7 8.5 4.5 .9 .3 .0 100.0 13.6 13019<br />
Middle 63.5 25.5 6.8 3.4 .5 .2 .1 100.0 12.4 12397<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 74.7 18.9 4.0 1.9 .3 .1 .1 100.0 11.3 11572<br />
Richest 86.8 10.6 1.9 .5 .1 .1 .1 100.0 10.0 11946<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 68.0 22.6 5.9 2.7 .5 .2 .1 100.0 12.2 62463<br />
Number of<br />
households<br />
116
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 17<br />
Pers<strong>on</strong> collecting water<br />
Percent distributi<strong>on</strong> of households according to the pers<strong>on</strong> collecting water used in the household, Bangladesh, 2006<br />
Background characteristics Pers<strong>on</strong> collecting drinking water<br />
Adult woman Adult man Female child<br />
(under 15)<br />
Male child<br />
(under 15)<br />
DK Missing Total Number of<br />
households<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 77.3 11.6 7.8 2.7 .2 .5 100.0 2838<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 88.3 4.1 5.2 1.7 .1 .5 100.0 4497<br />
Dhaka 91.5 3.1 3.7 .5 .2 1.1 100.0 4634<br />
Khulna 88.5 6.1 3.9 .7 .2 .5 100.0 3091<br />
Rajshahi 94.6 1.5 2.6 .1 .0 1.1 100.0 3523<br />
Sylhet 90.0 3.3 4.7 .8 .1 1.0 100.0 1380<br />
Area Rural 89.1 4.3 4.6 1.1 .1 .7 100.0 15277<br />
Urban 86.9 6.4 4.2 1.1 .1 1.2 100.0 4237<br />
Urban municipality 87.1 6.0 4.4 1.1 .1 1.3 100.0 3152<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 86.1 7.7 3.7 1.3 .1 1.1 100.0 1085<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 85.6 8.3 3.5 1.5 .1 1.0 100.0 930<br />
Slum 89.3 4.0 4.8 .3 .0 1.6 100.0 155<br />
Tribal 94.0 2.6 2.8 .2 .0 .4 100.0 448<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> of N<strong>on</strong>e 90.9 3.2 4.3 .8 .1 .7 100.0 10467<br />
household head Primary incomplete 88.0 4.8 5.0 1.3 .1 .8 100.0 2883<br />
Primary completed 88.2 4.9 5.0 1.2 .2 .6 100.0 2068<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 87.0 6.8 3.9 1.2 .2 1.0 100.0 2709<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed or higher 80.6 11.0 5.1 2.3 .1 .8 100.0 1713<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 87.5 2.8 7.5 .0 2.2 .0 100.0 73<br />
Missing/DK 87.2 5.6 7.2 .0 .0 .0 100.0 48<br />
Wealth index Poorest 92.3 2.2 4.0 .5 .1 .8 100.0 5595<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 88.7 4.5 4.8 1.2 .1 .6 100.0 5340<br />
Middle 88.2 5.1 4.8 1.1 .1 .7 100.0 4525<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 87.3 6.1 4.1 1.5 .2 .8 100.0 2922<br />
Richest 80.4 10.7 5.3 1.8 .5 1.3 100.0 1580<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 88.8 4.7 4.5 1.1 .1 .8 100.0 19962<br />
117
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Annex: 18<br />
Disposal of child's faeces, MICS 2006<br />
Percent distributi<strong>on</strong> of children aged 0-2 years according to place of disposal of child's faeces, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the percentage<br />
of children aged 0-2 years whose stools are disposed of safely, Bangladesh, 2006<br />
Background characteristics What was d<strong>on</strong>e to dispose of the stools<br />
Child used<br />
toilet/<br />
latrine<br />
Put/rinsed<br />
into toilet or<br />
latrine<br />
Put/rinsed<br />
into drain or<br />
ditch<br />
Thrown into<br />
garbage<br />
(solid waste)<br />
Buried Left in<br />
the<br />
open<br />
Other DK Missing Total Proporti<strong>on</strong> of<br />
children whose<br />
stools are disposed<br />
of safely<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 2.9 22.9 29.0 5.6 .5 31.1 6.3 1.1 .7 100.0 25.8 1071<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 1.3 22.7 22.3 12.0 .4 34.5 4.3 1.8 .7 100.0 24.0 3894<br />
Dhaka 1.2 24.5 21.0 12.0 .4 32.0 7.5 .8 .6 100.0 25.8 5748<br />
Khulna .8 23.3 24.1 6.3 .4 39.1 5.3 .2 .6 100.0 24.1 1786<br />
Rajshahi 1.4 14.2 18.7 14.6 1.9 43.1 4.9 .6 .7 100.0 15.6 4238<br />
Sylhet 1.3 20.0 28.2 6.3 .4 37.6 4.9 .4 .8 100.0 21.3 1492<br />
Area Rural .8 14.1 22.5 12.3 .9 41.8 6.1 1.0 .7 100.0 14.9 13310<br />
Urban 2.9 41.0 21.5 8.4 .2 20.4 4.3 .6 .7 100.0 43.9 4765<br />
Urban municipality 2.6 34.7 22.4 9.1 .3 24.7 4.6 .8 .8 100.0 37.3 3491<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 3.7 58.1 18.9 6.6 .1 8.5 3.6 .1 .5 100.0 61.8 1274<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 3.9 61.4 17.1 6.0 .1 7.8 3.4 .0 .4 100.0 65.2 1157<br />
Slum 1.9 26.3 37.0 13.0 .0 15.6 5.3 .2 .7 100.0 28.2 117<br />
Tribal .8 16.5 12.1 6.9 .3 46.5 15.8 .7 .4 100.0 17.4 154<br />
Mother's N<strong>on</strong>e .5 10.4 23.4 12.3 .8 44.4 6.3 1.0 .8 100.0 10.9 6018<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> Primary incomplete 1.0 14.4 24.6 12.1 .5 39.9 6.1 .9 .5 100.0 15.4 2866<br />
Primary completed 1.1 16.5 24.8 12.5 .5 37.5 5.1 1.1 .9 100.0 17.6 2343<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 1.4 27.3 20.9 10.6 .9 32.3 5.3 .8 .5 100.0 28.8 4987<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 4.4 54.2 14.6 6.3 1.0 13.8 4.8 .3 .7 100.0 58.7 1957<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum .0 6.5 22.0 16.9 3.0 42.6 6.6 2.4 .0 100.0 6.5 56<br />
Missing/DK .0 50.4 .0 .0 .0 .0 49.6 .0 .0 100.0 50.4 2<br />
Wealth index Poorest .5 6.2 21.3 13.6 .9 49.8 6.1 .8 .8 100.0 6.8 4496<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d .6 9.9 23.7 11.8 .8 45.0 6.4 1.2 .5 100.0 10.5 3865<br />
Middle 1.1 16.2 24.3 11.9 .7 37.7 6.6 1.0 .6 100.0 17.3 3396<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 1.2 24.6 24.4 12.3 .9 30.0 5.0 1.0 .8 100.0 25.7 3398<br />
Richest 3.9 58.8 16.5 5.1 .4 10.5 4.0 .3 .6 100.0 62.7 3073<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 1.3 21.1 22.1 11.2 .7 36.2 5.7 .9 .7 100.0 22.5 18228<br />
Number of<br />
children aged<br />
0-2 years<br />
118
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 19<br />
Antenatal care provider, MICS 2006<br />
Percent distributi<strong>on</strong> of women aged 15-49 who gave birth in the two years preceding the survey by type of<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>nel providing antenatal care, Bangladesh, 2006<br />
Background characteristics Pers<strong>on</strong> providing antenatal care<br />
Medical<br />
doctor<br />
Nurse/<br />
midwife<br />
Traditi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
birth<br />
attendant<br />
Community<br />
health worker<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 34.2 7.6 1.3 3.5 3.2 3.4 46.7 100.0 41.8 738<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 39.8 9.6 .7 3.1 .4 3.6 42.8 100.0 49.4 2554<br />
Dhaka 40.0 8.7 .2 4.3 .1 1.9 44.7 100.0 48.7 3697<br />
Khulna 41.6 10.9 .0 3.6 .2 2.5 41.2 100.0 52.5 1145<br />
Rajshahi 30.5 15.3 .5 7.6 .6 4.2 41.4 100.0 45.8 2740<br />
Sylhet 34.7 8.6 .1 4.0 .1 2.6 49.9 100.0 43.3 1024<br />
Area Rural 31.1 10.1 .5 5.1 .4 3.6 49.2 100.0 41.2 8757<br />
Urban 54.9 12.0 .2 3.4 .7 1.5 27.4 100.0 66.9 3040<br />
Urban municipality 51.3 12.1 .2 3.5 .8 1.8 30.3 100.0 63.4 2230<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 64.6 11.8 .2 3.0 .4 .6 19.4 100.0 76.4 811<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 68.1 10.9 .2 3.0 .4 .6 16.8 100.0 79.1 729<br />
Slum 33.0 19.6 .2 3.4 .0 .9 43.0 100.0 52.6 81<br />
Tribal 21.3 7.0 .0 4.7 .0 1.8 65.2 100.0 28.3 101<br />
Age 15-19 years 33.5 12.9 .2 6.1 .2 3.7 43.3 100.0 46.5 2364<br />
20-24 years 39.0 11.0 .5 4.3 .5 2.9 41.9 100.0 49.9 4111<br />
25-29 years 39.2 10.2 .6 4.9 .8 2.6 41.8 100.0 49.4 2946<br />
30-34 years 37.6 9.1 .3 3.1 .6 3.2 46.1 100.0 46.7 1554<br />
35-39 years 32.8 6.9 .3 4.4 .3 2.7 52.5 100.0 39.7 735<br />
40-44 years 25.4 3.8 .0 4.5 .0 3.3 63.1 100.0 29.2 150<br />
45-49 years 9.8 4.7 3.8 3.7 .0 2.5 75.5 100.0 14.5 40<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> N<strong>on</strong>e 19.9 9.4 .6 4.5 .7 3.4 61.5 100.0 29.3 3730<br />
Primary incomplete 26.6 12.2 .2 4.7 .3 3.0 53.0 100.0 38.8 1892<br />
Primary completed 30.4 12.2 .5 5.4 .6 3.1 47.8 100.0 42.6 1551<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 49.4 11.5 .2 5.2 .4 3.2 30.0 100.0 60.9 3429<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 79.4 6.8 .3 2.2 .2 1.5 9.6 100.0 86.2 1260<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 12.9 12.2 .0 19.4 .0 .0 55.5 100.0 25.0 38<br />
Wealth index Poorest 17.6 9.5 .4 6.1 .7 3.3 62.4 100.0 27.1 2908<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 24.5 10.6 .8 4.9 .5 3.9 54.8 100.0 35.1 2535<br />
Middle 31.6 13.3 .5 4.3 .8 3.8 45.8 100.0 44.9 2230<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 48.7 12.0 .1 4.7 .3 2.6 31.4 100.0 60.8 2238<br />
Richest 74.8 7.2 .2 2.5 .1 1.0 14.0 100.0 82.1 1989<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 37.1 10.6 .4 4.6 .5 3.0 43.8 100.0 47.7 11899<br />
Relative/<br />
Friend<br />
Other/<br />
missing<br />
No antenatal<br />
care received<br />
Total Any skilled pers<strong>on</strong>nel Number of women<br />
who gave birth in<br />
the preceding two<br />
years<br />
119
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Annex: 20<br />
Assistance during delivery, MICS 2006<br />
Percent distributi<strong>on</strong> of women aged 15-49 with a birth in two years preceding the survey by type of pers<strong>on</strong>nel<br />
assisting at delivery, Bangladesh, 2006<br />
Background characteristics Pers<strong>on</strong> assisting at delivery<br />
Medical<br />
doctor<br />
Nurse/<br />
midwife<br />
Traditi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
birth<br />
attendant<br />
Community<br />
health<br />
worker<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 10.7 3.2 69.0 .5 13.9 1.3 1.5 100.0 13.9 10.3 738<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 12.6 5.7 69.4 1.3 9.7 .8 .4 100.0 18.4 12.4 2554<br />
Dhaka 18.4 4.1 64.5 .7 10.6 .9 .8 100.0 22.5 18.7 3697<br />
Khulna 21.4 5.9 66.5 .5 4.9 .6 .2 100.0 27.3 23.6 1145<br />
Rajshahi 13.9 4.7 60.3 1.5 16.7 1.6 1.3 100.0 18.6 15.7 2740<br />
Sylhet 12.8 3.2 74.9 .5 7.4 .7 .5 100.0 16.0 12.2 1024<br />
Area Rural 10.6 3.4 71.1 .9 12.3 .9 .9 100.0 14.0 10.7 8757<br />
Urban 29.8 8.0 51.0 1.3 7.9 1.3 .6 100.0 37.9 31.7 3040<br />
Urban municipality 26.8 8.3 53.3 1.2 8.6 1.1 .6 100.0 35.1 29.2 2230<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 38.1 7.3 44.5 1.4 6.0 1.9 .8 100.0 45.4 38.6 811<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 41.1 8.0 41.6 1.5 5.3 1.7 .8 100.0 49.2 42.0 729<br />
Slum 10.8 .7 70.9 .5 12.8 3.6 .7 100.0 11.5 7.8 81<br />
Tribal 4.6 3.6 73.3 .1 17.0 1.3 .1 100.0 8.2 4.2 101<br />
Age 15-19 13.3 5.7 65.8 1.1 12.3 1.1 .7 100.0 19.0 15.1 2364<br />
20-24 15.5 4.4 65.4 1.0 12.3 1.0 .4 100.0 19.9 15.4 4111<br />
25-29 17.8 4.5 65.4 .8 9.7 .9 .9 100.0 22.3 18.2 2946<br />
30-34 15.4 4.2 66.7 .8 10.4 1.3 1.3 100.0 19.6 16.6 1554<br />
35-39 14.3 4.3 69.3 1.7 9.2 .4 .7 100.0 18.7 14.4 735<br />
40-44 9.6 2.4 68.9 .0 13.2 1.9 4.0 100.0 12.0 7.9 150<br />
45-49 6.2 2.2 73.6 .0 9.9 1.5 6.6 100.0 8.3 6.2 40<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> N<strong>on</strong>e 4.7 2.3 76.7 .5 13.5 1.3 1.1 100.0 7.0 5.1 3730<br />
Primary incomplete 7.9 3.7 71.8 .9 14.2 .8 .7 100.0 11.6 8.6 1892<br />
Primary completed 10.7 3.8 71.2 .6 12.2 .6 .9 100.0 14.5 11.2 1551<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 19.9 6.2 61.5 1.3 9.4 1.0 .6 100.0 26.1 20.1 3429<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 52.7 9.6 30.4 2.1 3.7 1.1 .4 100.0 62.2 54.5 1260<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 10.1 .0 84.5 .0 5.3 .0 .0 100.0 10.1 6.4 38<br />
Wealth index Poorest 4.6 1.9 74.2 .4 16.6 1.1 1.1 100.0 6.5 4.8 2908<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 6.4 2.6 75.3 .6 13.5 .6 1.0 100.0 9.0 6.2 2535<br />
Middle 10.4 4.1 71.0 .8 11.8 1.2 .7 100.0 14.5 11.0 2230<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 18.7 6.0 64.3 1.8 7.5 1.0 .6 100.0 24.8 19.1 2238<br />
Richest 44.9 10.1 38.2 1.5 3.9 1.0 .4 100.0 55.0 47.1 1989<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>a 15.5 4.6 66.0 1.0 11.2 1.0 .8 100.0 20.1 16.0 11899<br />
Relative/<br />
friend<br />
Other/<br />
missing<br />
No<br />
attendant<br />
Total Number of women<br />
Any skilled<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>nel *<br />
Delivered in<br />
health<br />
facility **<br />
who gave birth in<br />
preceding two<br />
years<br />
120
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 21<br />
Early childhood educati<strong>on</strong>, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Percentage of<br />
children aged 36-59<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ths currently<br />
attending early<br />
childhood educati<strong>on</strong><br />
Number of children<br />
aged 36-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths<br />
Percentage of<br />
children attending<br />
first grade who<br />
attended preschool<br />
program in previous<br />
year<br />
Number of children<br />
attending first grade<br />
Sex Male 14.0 6897 31.3 1596<br />
Female 15.3 6644 32.7 1556<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 15.5 811 38.6 181<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 16.2 2940 38.5 619<br />
Dhaka 15.8 4266 31.9 994<br />
Khulna 17.4 1392 32.8 378<br />
Rajshahi 10.3 3086 26.1 734<br />
Sylhet 14.1 1047 27.4 246<br />
Area Rural 15.5 9869 28.0 2264<br />
Urban 12.0 3572 41.7 864<br />
Urban municipality 11.9 2621 36.2 598<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 12.2 951 53.9 266<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 12.6 857 55.0 254<br />
Slum 8.6 94 31.6 12<br />
Tribal 25.2 100 53.0 24<br />
Age of child 36-47 m<strong>on</strong>ths 7.0 6789 - 0<br />
48-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths 22.3 6751 - 0<br />
6 years - 0 32.0 3152<br />
Mother's N<strong>on</strong>e 11.1 5265 26.3 1194<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> Primary incomplete 16.2 2166 30.2 519<br />
Primary completed 16.8 1769 32.7 463<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 16.1 3012 35.8 654<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 19.7 1278 47.5 309<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 20.2 51 34.9 13<br />
Wealth index Poorest 11.4 3545 22.4 680<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 14.4 2792 26.6 645<br />
Middle 16.0 2550 30.0 620<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 16.7 2498 33.4 609<br />
Richest 16.2 2156 49.1 598<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 14.6 13541 32.0 3152<br />
121
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Annex: 22<br />
Primary school net attendance ratio, MICS 2006<br />
Percentage of children of primary school age attending primary school or<br />
sec<strong>on</strong>dary school (NAR), Bangladesh, 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Net attendance<br />
ratio<br />
Male Female Total<br />
Number of<br />
children<br />
Net attendance<br />
ratio<br />
Number of<br />
children<br />
Net attendance<br />
ratio*<br />
Number of<br />
children<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 75.0 1279 80.5 1295 77.8 2574<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 75.0 4239 78.9 3985 76.9 8224<br />
Dhaka 69.7 6210 75.7 5917 72.6 12127<br />
Khulna 79.4 2042 83.1 1931 81.2 3973<br />
Rajshahi 72.5 4531 76.7 4299 74.6 8830<br />
Sylhet 75.4 1488 78.7 1437 77.0 2924<br />
Area Rural 73.3 14398 78.3 13819 75.8 28217<br />
Urban 73.6 5200 77.3 4874 75.4 10073<br />
Urban municipality 74.2 3828 78.5 3533 76.2 7361<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 72.2 1372 74.3 1341 73.2 2712<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 75.7 1227 76.6 1205 76.1 2432<br />
Slum 42.5 145 54.1 135 48.1 280<br />
Tribal 62.3 192 62.9 171 62.6 363<br />
Age 6 years 51.0 3682 55.0 3457 53.0 7139<br />
7 years 71.3 4096 76.2 4180 73.8 8276<br />
8 years 80.6 4041 84.4 3972 82.5 8014<br />
9 years 83.1 3330 87.1 3209 85.1 6538<br />
10 years 79.2 4641 85.7 4044 82.2 8685<br />
Mother's N<strong>on</strong>e 67.1 9946 73.6 9475 70.3 19421<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> Primary incomplete 76.2 3162 79.7 2980 77.9 6142<br />
Primary completed 79.5 2360 84.0 2147 81.7 4508<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 82.9 2946 84.4 2818 83.6 5764<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 80.7 1269 81.4 1363 81.1 2632<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 67.6 93 78.6 67 72.2 161<br />
Missing/DK 64.0 13 67.6 13 65.8 26<br />
Wealth index Poorest 64.9 5033 72.1 4978 68.5 10011<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 71.9 4328 77.4 4046 74.6 8374<br />
Middle 74.0 3962 80.2 3683 77.0 7645<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 79.5 3480 81.8 3135 80.6 6615<br />
Richest 81.1 2987 81.4 3021 81.3 6008<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 73.3 19790 77.9 18863 75.6 38653<br />
122
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 23<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary school net attendance ratio, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Net attendance<br />
ratio<br />
Male Female Total<br />
Number of<br />
children<br />
Net attendance<br />
ratio<br />
Number of<br />
children<br />
Net attendance<br />
ratio*<br />
Number of<br />
children<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 40.7 1550 46.4 1598 43.6 3148<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 35.3 4892 43.0 5173 39.3 10065<br />
Dhaka 35.1 7035 42.1 7337 38.7 14371<br />
Khulna 41.7 2444 52.4 2474 47.1 4918<br />
Rajshahi 36.8 5586 44.4 5587 40.6 11173<br />
Sylhet 27.9 1638 33.5 1678 30.7 3316<br />
Area Rural 33.5 16571 41.9 16547 37.7 33118<br />
Urban 42.8 6393 47.8 7096 45.4 13489<br />
Urban municipality 41.6 4678 50.0 5007 45.9 9685<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 45.9 1715 42.5 2089 44.0 3804<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 48.9 1571 45.1 1920 46.8 3491<br />
Slum 13.0 143 12.9 169 12.9 312<br />
Tribal 39.7 180 37.4 204 38.5 384<br />
Age 11 years 19.5 2930 27.6 2755 23.4 5685<br />
12 years 30.4 4301 41.6 3886 35.7 8187<br />
13 years 44.1 2992 57.5 3488 51.3 6480<br />
14 years 46.2 3091 58.7 3089 52.4 6180<br />
15 years 40.5 3657 48.8 3644 44.7 7301<br />
16 years 36.3 3343 39.9 3719 38.2 7062<br />
17 years 36.8 2830 28.7 3267 32.5 6097<br />
Mother's N<strong>on</strong>e 22.8 12373 36.0 10448 28.8 22820<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> Primary incomplete 37.8 3208 52.6 2949 44.9 6157<br />
Primary completed 50.4 2563 64.2 2404 57.1 4968<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 65.8 2787 76.5 2759 71.1 5546<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 55.8 2127 26.7 5200 35.1 7327<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 23.8 80 57.0 65 38.7 144<br />
Missing/DK 36.3 7 25.8 21 28.3 28<br />
Wealth index Poorest 14.7 4427 24.0 4142 19.2 8569<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 26.5 4970 34.8 4949 30.6 9919<br />
Middle 34.6 4917 42.4 5135 38.6 10052<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 45.4 4561 54.1 4880 49.9 9441<br />
Richest 61.4 4268 60.2 4741 60.8 9009<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 36.1 23144 43.6 23846 39.9 46991<br />
123
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Annex: 24<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> gender parity, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Primary<br />
school net<br />
attendance<br />
ratio (NAR),<br />
girls<br />
Primary<br />
school net<br />
attendance<br />
ratio (NAR),<br />
boys<br />
Gender parity<br />
index (GPI) for<br />
primary<br />
school NAR<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary<br />
school net<br />
attendance<br />
ratio (NAR),<br />
girls<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary<br />
school net<br />
attendance<br />
ratio (NAR),<br />
boys<br />
Gender parity<br />
index (GPI) for<br />
sec<strong>on</strong>dary<br />
school NAR<br />
Sex Male . 65.9 . . 36.1 .<br />
Female 69.9 . . 43.6 . .<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 75.4 69.2 1.11 50.9 45.4 1.13<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 69.4 66.8 1.04 43.2 37.9 1.16<br />
Dhaka 67.7 62.6 1.09 43.7 36.5 1.26<br />
Khulna 75.9 73.0 1.05 54.3 42.8 1.29<br />
Rajshahi 68.2 64.7 1.06 47.3 38.7 1.26<br />
Sylhet 71.2 67.1 1.07 38.4 33.7 1.18<br />
Area Rural 70.5 66.8 1.06 42.4 34.7 1.25<br />
Urban 70.6 66.4 1.08 50.2 42.6 1.22<br />
Urban municipality 71.5 67.1 1.08 51.5 42.9 1.25<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 63.7 60.6 1.07 39.3 40.7 .97<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 69.5 67.2 1.04 48.0 49.5 .97<br />
Slum 46.5 40.6 1.15 13.3 14.3 .96<br />
Tribal 58.6 57.4 1.03 42.3 39.6 1.07<br />
Mother's N<strong>on</strong>e 66.8 60.8 1.10 36.0 22.8 1.58<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> Primary incomplete 71.9 69.3 1.04 52.6 37.8 1.39<br />
Primary completed 73.7 71.0 1.04 64.2 50.4 1.27<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 73.7 72.8 1.01 76.5 65.8 1.16<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 72.5 70.0 1.03 26.7 55.8 .48<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 74.1 60.2 1.23 57.0 23.8 2.39<br />
Missing/DK 64.4 65.5 .98 25.8 36.3 .71<br />
Wealth index Poorest 64.4 58.0 1.11 24.0 14.7 1.64<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 69.1 64.7 1.07 34.8 26.5 1.32<br />
Middle 72.0 67.4 1.07 42.4 34.6 1.23<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 73.6 71.6 1.03 54.1 45.4 1.19<br />
Richest 73.9 72.5 1.02 60.2 61.4 .98<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 69.9 65.9 1.06 43.6 36.1 1.21<br />
124
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Annex: 25<br />
Adult literacy, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Percentage<br />
literate<br />
Percentage<br />
not known<br />
Number of women aged<br />
15-24 years<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 72.3 .2 1609<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 74.0 .5 5630<br />
Dhaka 68.5 .4 8765<br />
Khulna 74.3 .4 3095<br />
Rajshahi 67.9 .3 6891<br />
Sylhet 62.7 .5 1924<br />
Area Rural 67.6 .4 18986<br />
Urban 75.4 .4 8703<br />
Urban municipality 75.9 .4 6093<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 74.2 .5 2610<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 77.0 .5 2423<br />
Slum 38.2 .6 187<br />
Tribal 54.7 .2 225<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> N<strong>on</strong>e .0 .0 3948<br />
Primary incomplete 22.2 1.2 3555<br />
Primary completed 55.3 1.9 3580<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 100.0 .0 12305<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed or higher 100.0 .0 4419<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 28.8 .4 105<br />
Missing/DK 23.8 76.2 3<br />
Age 15-19 76.0 .5 15284<br />
20-24 62.6 .3 12630<br />
Wealth index quintiles Poorest 40.2 .6 4457<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>d 57.7 .5 5336<br />
Middle 71.7 .5 5809<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 82.6 .2 6054<br />
Richest 87.7 .3 6258<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 69.9 .4 27914<br />
125
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Annex: 26<br />
Students Enrolled in Primary School by Boys <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Girls since 1991<br />
Year Number of Students % of Students<br />
Total Boys Girls Boys Girls<br />
1991 12,635,419 6,910,092 5,725,327 54.7 45.3<br />
1992 13,017,267 7,048,542 5,968,725 54.2 45.8<br />
1993 14,067,332 7,525,862 6,541,470 53.5 46.5<br />
1994 15,180,680 8,048,117 7,132,563 53.0 47.0<br />
1995 17,284,157 9,094,489 8,189,668 52.6 47.4<br />
1996 17,580,416 9,219,358 8,361,058 52.4 47.6<br />
1997 18,031,673 9,364,899 8,666,774 51.9 48.1<br />
1998 18,360,642 9,576,942 8,783,700 52.2 47.8<br />
1999 17,621,731 9,065,019 8,556,712 51.4 48.6<br />
2000 17,667,985 9,032,698 8,635,287 51.1 48.9<br />
2001 17,659,220 8,989,795 8,669,425 51.0 49.0<br />
2002 17,561,828 8,841,648 8,720,180 50.3 49.7<br />
2003 18,431,320 9,358,757 9,072,563 50.8 49.2<br />
2004 17,953,300 9,046,433 8,906,867 50.4 49.6<br />
2005 16,225,658 8,091,221 8,134,437 49.87 50.13<br />
Source:http://www.mopme.gov.bd/students_info.htm (Ministry of Primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Mass Educati<strong>on</strong>).<br />
126
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 27<br />
Different types of primary level instituti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Year<br />
Instituti<strong>on</strong><br />
GPS EXP RNGPS COMM SATT* HSAPS NGPS KG Eb. HMAPS NGO Total<br />
Madrasha<br />
1996 37710 52 19683 2759 200 2759 3963 1434 9499 2759 - 80818<br />
1997 37710 52 19529 1962 1042 1292 3472 1545 8231 2850 - 77685<br />
1998 37710 53 19658 2989 2822 1582 3177 1691 7173 2948 - 79803<br />
1999 37709 53 19553 3107 2945 1230 2632 1940 6404 3253 14 78840<br />
2000 37677 53 19253 3061 3884 1220 2126 2296 3710 3437 92 76809<br />
2001 37671 53 19428 3268 4095 1576 1971 2477 3843 3574 170 78126<br />
2002 37671 53 19428 3225 4823 1576 1792 2477 3443 3574 301 78363<br />
2003 37671 53 19428 3260 4823 1618 1670 3088 6581 8200 345 86737<br />
2004 37671 54 19814 3218 - 1283 1699 3745 6723 8214 447 82868<br />
2005 37672 54 19682 3027 - 1353 946 2281 6768* 8329 289 80401<br />
Source: Website, Ministry of Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
GPS- Government Primary School, RNGPS- Registered N<strong>on</strong> Government Primary School, NGPS- N<strong>on</strong> Government Primary School,<br />
EXP- PTI attached Experimental School, KG- Kinder Garden, HSAPS- High School Attached Primary Schools,<br />
HMAPS- High Madrasa Attached Primary School, * SATT - Satellite Schools which are closed from 2004.<br />
127
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Annex: 28<br />
Primary Sec<strong>on</strong>dary Educati<strong>on</strong> Statistics 2005 (In Number)<br />
Type of instituti<strong>on</strong> Management Instituti<strong>on</strong> Teachers Student<br />
Total Female Total Female Total Female<br />
Junior School Private 4322 1247 36070 7299 910914 531164<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary School Public 317 147 7434 2333 221887 106316<br />
Private 13224 2191 178269 13652 5900743 3031619<br />
School & College (school secti<strong>on</strong>) Private 638 124 11156 3699 365008 198915<br />
Total (Sec<strong>on</strong>dary Educati<strong>on</strong>) Public 317 147 7434 2333 221887 106316<br />
Private 18183 3561 225495 44650 7176665 3761698<br />
Total 18500 3708 232929 46983 7398552 3868014<br />
Dakhil Madrasah Private 6685 1017 98123 9908 2236025 1170220<br />
Alim Madrasah Private 1315 91 25634 1803 550813 253207<br />
Fazil Madrasah Private 1039 24 23336 1324 529952 197316<br />
Kamil Madrasah Public 3 - 82 2 2738 19<br />
Private 172 6 4792 175 13693 27903<br />
Total Madrasah Educati<strong>on</strong> Public 3 - 82 2 2738 19<br />
Private 9211 1138 151885 13228 3450483 1648646<br />
Total 9215 1138 151967 13230 3453221 1648665<br />
Polytechnic Institute Public 37 4 1189 166 17836 1648<br />
Private 97 - 465 9682 1278<br />
Technical School & College Public 64 - 792 75 8548 1224<br />
Textile Vocati<strong>on</strong>al Centre Public 28 - 331 26 5097 584<br />
Technical Training Centre Public 13 - 359 69 4867 473<br />
Survey Institute Public 2 - 17 1 557 11<br />
SSC (Vocati<strong>on</strong>al) school Private 1224 171 7511 1869 95458 30380<br />
Agricultural Training Institute Public 12 - 112 5 7103 1403<br />
Total (Technical-vocati<strong>on</strong>al) Educati<strong>on</strong> Public 180 4 2939 346 48976 6165<br />
Private 2548 263 15246 2862 192360 56397<br />
Total 2728 267 18185 3208 241336 62562<br />
Private 162 8 2529 291 42517 12525<br />
Total 222 47 4158 735 60043 21043<br />
Primary Training Institute Public 54 - 517 179 13025 5176<br />
Teachers Training College (TTC) Public 14 1 247 74 6518 2885<br />
Private 85 - 988 220 11638 4352<br />
Technical TTC Public 1 - 15 2 72 22<br />
Vocati<strong>on</strong>al TTC Public 1 - 6 1 120 -<br />
Note: * 23 new Polytechnic Institutes established (3 Female), yet to be functi<strong>on</strong>ing.<br />
** Vocati<strong>on</strong>al Training Institutes (VTI) renamed as Technical School & College.<br />
128
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Annex: 29<br />
Birth registrati<strong>on</strong>, MICS 2006<br />
Percent distributi<strong>on</strong> of children aged 0-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths by whether birth is registered <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> reas<strong>on</strong>s for n<strong>on</strong>-registrati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
Bangladesh, 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Birth is<br />
registered<br />
D<strong>on</strong>'t know if<br />
birth is<br />
registered<br />
Number of<br />
children aged<br />
0-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths<br />
Costs too<br />
much<br />
Birth is not registered because:<br />
Must travel<br />
too far<br />
Didn't know<br />
child should<br />
be registered<br />
Doesn't<br />
know where<br />
to register<br />
D<strong>on</strong>'t feel it<br />
necessary<br />
Total Number of children<br />
aged 0-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths<br />
without birth<br />
registrati<strong>on</strong><br />
Sex Male 10.1 6.2 16222 .4 .8 51.0 30.5 17.4 100.0 10283<br />
Female 9.6 6.1 15344 .4 .7 52.7 29.9 16.4 100.0 9852<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 16.4 7.6 1873 .4 1.5 46.1 29.6 22.4 100.0 1118<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 6.3 7.8 6797 .3 .8 45.4 36.1 17.4 100.0 4888<br />
Dhaka 6.5 4.9 9942 .2 .4 54.6 29.0 15.7 100.0 6691<br />
Khulna 11.1 1.8 3148 .2 .3 55.9 31.6 12.0 100.0 2408<br />
Rajshahi 12.0 9.3 7284 .7 .9 54.2 24.9 19.2 100.0 3693<br />
Sylhet 20.2 2.4 2521 .4 1.2 52.8 26.8 18.7 100.0 1336<br />
Area Rural 8.8 6.6 23034 .4 .8 53.6 31.6 13.5 100.0 14642<br />
Urban 12.8 4.9 8280 .3 .4 46.7 26.4 26.2 100.0 5348<br />
Urban municipality 12.4 5.0 6061 .3 .6 47.4 26.8 24.9 100.0 3861<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 13.9 4.7 2219 .4 .1 44.8 25.4 29.4 100.0 1487<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 14.9 4.6 2009 .4 .1 42.6 25.2 31.7 100.0 1353<br />
Slum 4.5 5.9 210 .1 .0 66.9 27.0 6.0 100.0 134<br />
Tribal 5.0 9.3 253 .0 .3 61.2 25.7 12.8 100.0 145<br />
Age 0-11 m<strong>on</strong>ths 7.3 6.2 5669 .4 1.0 50.4 30.3 18.0 100.0 3621<br />
12-23 m<strong>on</strong>ths 10.6 5.5 6032 .4 .7 51.9 30.0 17.0 100.0 3919<br />
24-35 m<strong>on</strong>ths 10.2 6.2 6320 .5 .6 52.1 29.6 17.3 100.0 4016<br />
36-47 m<strong>on</strong>ths 10.3 6.4 6789 .2 .8 52.1 31.3 15.6 100.0 4292<br />
48-59 m<strong>on</strong>ths 10.5 6.5 6751 .4 .7 52.6 29.5 16.8 100.0 4284<br />
Mother's N<strong>on</strong>e 5.6 7.8 11224 .4 .5 57.5 33.8 7.9 100.0 6996<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> Primary incomplete 7.6 6.5 4997 .6 .4 56.9 30.7 11.3 100.0 3209<br />
Primary completed 9.6 5.8 4084 .2 1.0 53.8 31.1 14.0 100.0 2641<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 11.8 5.0 7948 .4 .8 48.3 28.2 22.3 100.0 5298<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 23.9 3.3 3204 .1 1.5 30.1 20.3 48.1 100.0 1933<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 1.7 9.4 106 .9 .0 47.0 36.4 15.7 100.0 57<br />
Wealth index Poorest 6.1 8.0 7987 .5 .5 58.3 31.7 9.0 100.0 4863<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 6.8 7.4 6615 .2 .8 55.8 31.5 11.6 100.0 4191<br />
Middle 8.8 5.8 5918 .5 .7 54.2 31.9 12.7 100.0 3835<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 11.7 4.4 5854 .4 .8 48.1 31.3 19.3 100.0 3902<br />
Richest 18.6 4.2 5192 .2 .8 39.0 23.0 37.1 100.0 3345<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 9.8 6.2 31566 .4 .7 51.8 30.2 16.9 100.0 20135<br />
129
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Annex: 30<br />
Child Labour, MICS 2006<br />
Percentage of children aged 5-14 years who are involved in child labour activities by<br />
type of work, Bangladesh, 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Working outside household<br />
Paid work<br />
Unpaid work<br />
Household<br />
chores for 28+<br />
hours/week<br />
Working for<br />
family<br />
business<br />
Total child<br />
labour<br />
Number of<br />
children aged<br />
5-14 years<br />
Sex Male 3.7 1.1 .9 12.4 17.5 36652<br />
Female 1.2 .8 3.8 2.5 8.1 35489<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 1.7 .3 3.0 5.6 10.0 4946<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 1.5 .7 2.0 4.9 8.8 15359<br />
Dhaka 3.2 1.1 2.5 7.7 13.9 22494<br />
Khulna 2.1 1.2 1.5 7.7 12.1 7365<br />
Rajshahi 2.9 1.4 2.5 10.7 16.6 16625<br />
Sylhet 2.2 .5 2.5 6.5 11.6 5353<br />
Area Rural 2.1 1.0 2.1 8.7 13.4 52010<br />
Urban 3.3 1.0 2.9 4.4 11.2 19479<br />
Urban municipality 2.5 1.0 2.7 5.1 10.8 14164<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 5.6 1.0 3.5 2.6 12.4 5316<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 5.1 .8 3.6 2.4 11.7 4811<br />
Slum 10.4 2.2 2.7 4.3 19.1 505<br />
Tribal 2.9 .7 2.2 12.9 17.6 652<br />
Age 5-11 years 1.1 1.1 1.0 7.6 10.3 51295<br />
12-14 years 5.7 .8 5.6 7.4 19.0 20846<br />
School Yes .5 .8 1.1 7.1 9.2 55506<br />
participati<strong>on</strong> No 9.1 1.6 6.4 9.1 25.1 16636<br />
Mother's N<strong>on</strong>e 3.8 1.1 2.5 9.5 16.3 36345<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> Primary incomplete 2.0 1.2 1.5 7.7 12.0 11173<br />
Primary completed .9 .9 1.7 6.3 9.5 8448<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete .4 .7 1.5 4.4 6.8 10755<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed .4 .3 5.7 2.2 8.2 5117<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 2.7 4.2 2.4 10.6 18.9 266<br />
Missing/DK .0 .0 4.0 2.3 6.2 37<br />
Wealth index Poorest 3.4 1.4 2.2 9.8 16.0 17185<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 2.8 1.0 2.4 8.9 14.7 15556<br />
Middle 2.4 1.1 1.9 8.1 13.0 14410<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 1.9 .9 1.6 6.6 10.5 12930<br />
Richest 1.3 .5 3.7 2.9 8.2 12061<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 2.5 1.0 2.3 7.5 12.8 72141<br />
130
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 31<br />
Labourers students <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> student laborers<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Percentage<br />
of children<br />
in child<br />
labour<br />
Percentage<br />
of children<br />
attending<br />
school<br />
Number of<br />
children<br />
aged 5-14<br />
Percentage<br />
of child<br />
labourers<br />
who are also<br />
attending<br />
school<br />
Number of<br />
child<br />
labourers<br />
aged 5-14<br />
Percentage<br />
of students<br />
who are also<br />
involved in<br />
child labour<br />
Number of<br />
students<br />
aged 5-14<br />
Sex Male 17.5 74.5 36652 55.9 6397 13.1 27309<br />
Female 8.1 79.5 35489 52.6 2860 5.3 28197<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 10.0 79.7 4946 55.5 496 7.0 3944<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 8.8 77.6 15359 50.2 1355 5.7 11923<br />
Dhaka 13.9 74.9 22494 52.4 3135 9.7 16855<br />
Khulna 12.1 82.5 7365 63.3 891 9.3 6079<br />
Rajshahi 16.6 77.4 16625 59.9 2760 12.8 12872<br />
Sylhet 11.6 71.6 5353 43.2 620 7.0 3832<br />
Area Rural 13.4 76.8 52010 60.0 6952 10.4 39953<br />
Urban 11.2 77.3 19479 38.1 2190 5.5 15064<br />
Urban municipality 10.8 78.6 14164 43.3 1530 6.0 11133<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 12.4 73.9 5316 26.0 660 4.4 3930<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 11.7 76.2 4811 26.1 564 4.0 3664<br />
Slum 19.1 52.8 505 25.3 96 9.1 267<br />
Tribal 17.6 75.0 652 65.5 115 15.4 489<br />
Age 5-11 years 10.3 79.3 51295 74.6 5303 9.7 40700<br />
12-14 years 19.0 71.0 20846 28.5 3954 7.6 14806<br />
Mother's N<strong>on</strong>e 16.3 70.3 36345 50.0 5913 11.6 25546<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> Primary incomplete 12.0 80.3 11173 65.8 1344 9.9 8969<br />
Primary completed 9.5 83.5 8448 70.7 799 8.0 7053<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 6.8 86.8 10755 73.6 729 5.7 9336<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 8.2 85.2 5117 27.1 420 2.6 4362<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 18.9 79.8 266 55.9 50 13.3 212<br />
Missing/DK 6.2 73.0 37 61.7 2 5.3 27<br />
Wealth index Poorest 16.0 68.4 17185 52.9 2742 12.4 11747<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 14.7 74.5 15556 58.6 2285 11.6 11589<br />
Middle 13.0 78.2 14410 59.9 1880 10.0 11275<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 10.5 82.6 12930 60.8 1363 7.8 10674<br />
Richest 8.2 84.7 12061 34.4 986 3.3 10221<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 12.8 76.9 72141 54.9 9257 9.2 55506<br />
131
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Annex: 32<br />
Early marriage, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Percentage<br />
married<br />
before<br />
age 15<br />
Number of<br />
women aged<br />
15-49 years<br />
Percentage<br />
married<br />
before<br />
age 18<br />
Number of<br />
women aged<br />
20-49 years<br />
Percentage<br />
of women<br />
15-19 years<br />
married<br />
Number of<br />
women aged<br />
15-19 years<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 36.7 4172 79.5 3305 46.9 867<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 21.9 13372 66.5 10141 30.8 3231<br />
Dhaka 32.9 22404 72.1 17652 40.9 4752<br />
Khulna 39.3 8124 80.5 6501 47.0 1623<br />
Rajshahi 41.8 17394 81.4 13665 53.9 3729<br />
Sylhet 19.1 4393 57.6 3311 25.6 1083<br />
Area Rural 36.2 47449 78.4 37030 46.1 10419<br />
Urban 27.0 21807 65.2 17062 33.0 4745<br />
Urban municipality 28.3 15267 68.2 11962 34.0 3305<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 23.7 6540 58.1 5100 30.7 1440<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 22.5 6067 56.5 4724 29.5 1343<br />
Slum 39.8 473 78.6 376 46.8 97<br />
Tribal 13.2 604 43.8 484 26.7 120<br />
Age 15-19 years 16.5 15284 . 0 41.9 15284<br />
20-24 years 27.7 12630 64.1 12630 . 0<br />
25-29 years 33.1 11151 70.2 11151 . 0<br />
30-34 years 37.5 9376 76.1 9376 . 0<br />
35-39 years 40.0 8853 77.7 8853 . 0<br />
40-44 years 45.4 6627 80.5 6627 . 0<br />
45-49 years 56.6 5939 85.7 5939 . 0<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> N<strong>on</strong>e 50.2 23812 85.8 22393 60.9 1419<br />
Primary incomplete 43.3 9669 84.3 7898 52.6 1772<br />
Primary completed 35.5 8286 79.1 6288 54.1 1997<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 18.5 18917 67.1 10896 38.8 8021<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 5.1 8923 29.5 6900 19.3 2023<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 43.7 247 87.2 197 35.0 50<br />
Missing/DK 15.0 6 81.9 4 .0 2<br />
Wealth index Poorest 44.7 12818 85.0 10592 52.0 2226<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 39.8 13359 82.0 10377 49.8 2982<br />
Middle 35.3 13821 78.3 10495 45.1 3326<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 28.8 14241 71.5 10858 39.0 3383<br />
Richest 19.9 15622 56.1 12254 27.9 3367<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 33.1 69860 74.0 54576 41.9 15284<br />
132
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Annex: 33<br />
Child disability, MICS 2006<br />
Percentage of children 2-9 years of age with disability reported by their mother or caretaker according to the type of<br />
disability, Bangladesh, 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Delay in<br />
sitting<br />
st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing or<br />
walking<br />
Percentage of children aged 2-9 years with reported disability by type of disability<br />
Difficulty<br />
seeing,<br />
either in the<br />
daytime or<br />
at night<br />
Appears to<br />
have<br />
difficulty<br />
hearing<br />
No<br />
underst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>i<br />
ng of<br />
instructi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Difficulty in<br />
walking<br />
moving,<br />
moving<br />
arms,<br />
weakness<br />
or stiffness<br />
Have fits,<br />
become<br />
rigid, lose<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sciousne<br />
ss<br />
Not learning<br />
to do things<br />
like other<br />
children<br />
his/her age<br />
No speaking<br />
cannot be<br />
understood<br />
in words<br />
Appears<br />
mentally<br />
backward,<br />
dull, or slow<br />
Percentage<br />
of children<br />
2-9 years of<br />
age with at<br />
least <strong>on</strong>e<br />
reported<br />
disability*<br />
Number<br />
of<br />
children<br />
aged<br />
2-9<br />
years<br />
Speech<br />
is not<br />
normal<br />
Number<br />
of<br />
children<br />
aged<br />
3-9<br />
years<br />
Cannot<br />
name at<br />
least<br />
<strong>on</strong>e<br />
object<br />
Number<br />
of<br />
children<br />
aged<br />
2 years<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 6.0 1.4 1.8 2.2 4.8 4.4 3.0 2.6 3.0 17.6 3689 7.9 3308 15.3 381<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 4.7 .7 1.4 1.7 2.3 4.5 1.8 1.9 1.6 14.0 12403 3.8 10943 15.2 1459<br />
Dhaka 7.8 .7 2.3 1.9 2.4 5.1 1.6 1.8 1.4 18.0 18542 3.5 16236 15.4 2305<br />
Khulna 8.2 .8 1.9 1.4 2.1 6.0 1.1 1.5 1.0 17.5 5968 1.9 5243 8.6 725<br />
Rajshahi 8.5 .9 2.6 1.8 3.4 6.0 2.0 2.2 1.9 20.4 13513 5.0 11848 16.1 1665<br />
Sylhet 8.0 1.4 2.2 1.7 2.9 1.9 1.4 1.3 1.2 15.6 4477 2.1 3953 15.8 525<br />
Area Rural 7.4 .9 2.2 1.8 2.9 4.8 1.8 2.0 1.6 17.7 42658 4.0 37555 15.1 5103<br />
Urban 6.9 .8 1.7 1.6 2.4 5.5 1.4 1.7 1.5 17.1 15419 3.7 13521 14.2 1898<br />
Urban municipality 7.2 .8 2.0 1.5 2.9 5.8 1.7 1.7 1.6 17.8 11236 3.6 9872 13.7 1364<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 6.1 .6 1.1 1.8 1.1 4.7 .9 1.6 1.0 15.0 4183 4.0 3649 15.3 533<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 6.0 .6 1.0 1.9 1.1 4.9 .8 1.6 1.0 15.1 3771 4.1 3289 15.3 482<br />
Slum 7.5 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.4 2.7 1.2 1.4 1.0 14.0 411 2.7 360 15.6 51<br />
Tribal 4.8 .9 1.9 2.0 2.1 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.6 12.5 515 5.7 455 14.3 60<br />
Age of child 2-4 m<strong>on</strong>ths 8.4 .7 1.1 1.8 2.6 6.0 2.1 2.4 1.6 18.7 21666 4.8 14606 14.9 7061<br />
5-6 m<strong>on</strong>ths 7.3 .9 2.4 1.7 2.6 4.9 1.6 1.7 1.7 17.5 14097 3.5 14097 . 0<br />
7-9 m<strong>on</strong>ths 6.2 1.1 2.9 1.8 2.9 4.1 1.5 1.5 1.6 16.3 22828 3.6 22828 . 0<br />
Mother's N<strong>on</strong>e 7.7 1.1 2.6 2.0 2.9 4.6 2.0 2.1 1.9 18.1 25476 4.1 23040 15.9 2436<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> Primary incomplete 7.8 1.0 2.5 1.7 3.3 5.1 1.9 2.0 1.7 18.8 9270 4.1 8171 13.8 1099<br />
Primary completed 7.2 .6 1.8 1.3 2.7 4.6 1.5 1.6 1.5 16.7 7288 3.5 6389 15.5 899<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 6.7 .5 1.4 1.6 2.3 5.8 1.5 1.9 1.2 16.7 11227 3.6 9423 13.7 1804<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 5.3 .6 .8 1.6 1.8 5.2 1.3 1.4 1.0 14.2 5072 4.0 4277 15.2 796<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard 12.5 3.6 4.6 .8 7.0 7.3 .4 .5 2.4 26.1 224 5.9 200 4.3 24<br />
curriculum<br />
Missing/DK 7.4 3.4 3.4 .0 8.3 3.4 .0 .0 3.4 15.7 35 4.6 32 .0 3<br />
Wealth index Poorest 8.3 1.3 3.0 2.2 3.2 4.6 2.3 2.2 1.8 19.1 15063 4.3 13345 15.2 1718<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 7.8 .9 2.5 1.8 3.2 5.1 2.0 2.0 2.0 18.3 12422 4.3 10953 13.9 1469<br />
Middle 7.6 .7 1.9 1.6 2.8 5.1 1.5 2.1 1.6 18.0 11346 3.8 9998 14.4 1348<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 6.3 .6 1.6 1.5 2.1 5.2 1.2 1.6 1.0 15.5 10406 3.5 9077 14.9 1328<br />
Richest 5.7 .6 1.1 1.6 2.0 5.1 1.4 1.4 1.4 15.1 9355 3.5 8157 16.1 1198<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 7.3 .9 2.1 1.8 2.8 5.0 1.7 1.9 1.6 17.5 58592 3.9 51531 14.9 7061<br />
133
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Annex: 34<br />
Percentage of children by type of Injury (under 18 years of age) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> current c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>, Bangladesh, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Total<br />
Injured<br />
Type of injury under 18 years of age Current c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong> after injury<br />
Fallen Burn Pois<strong>on</strong>ing Animal/<br />
snake/<br />
insect<br />
Road<br />
accident<br />
Drowning Acid victim Other Recovered Still<br />
suffering<br />
Died<br />
Number of<br />
households<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 8.4 3.1 .6 .0 .4 1.5 1.4 .0 1.8 7.1 1.2 .1 3909<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 6.4 2.6 .6 .0 .1 1.3 .7 .0 1.5 5.1 1.3 .1 11015<br />
Dhaka 6.6 2.4 .6 .0 .2 1.1 .7 .0 1.7 5.7 .9 .1 20219<br />
Khulna 6.8 2.2 .6 .1 .4 1.3 1.0 .0 1.7 5.7 1.0 .1 7465<br />
Rajshahi 6.2 2.1 .6 .0 .3 1.0 .6 .0 1.8 5.1 1.1 .1 16432<br />
Sylhet 5.5 1.8 .5 .0 .2 .8 .5 .0 1.7 4.2 1.2 .1 3423<br />
Area Rural 6.6 2.5 .6 .0 .3 1.0 .8 .0 1.6 5.4 1.2 .1 43735<br />
Urban 6.4 2.0 .6 .0 .2 1.4 .5 .0 1.9 5.5 .9 .1 18138<br />
Urban municipality 6.7 2.1 .6 .0 .2 1.5 .6 .0 2.0 5.8 .8 .1 12925<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 5.6 1.7 .5 .0 .1 1.3 .2 .0 1.9 4.8 .9 .0 5213<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 5.3 1.7 .5 .0 .1 1.2 .2 .0 1.8 4.6 .8 .0 4793<br />
Slum 9.1 2.4 .8 .0 .0 2.4 .5 .0 2.9 7.1 2.0 .1 420<br />
Tribal 3.7 1.7 .3 .0 .3 .5 .4 .0 .6 3.0 .7 .1 590<br />
Wealth index Poorest 6.8 2.5 .8 .0 .3 .9 1.1 .0 1.5 5.6 1.2 .1 13530<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 6.8 2.5 .7 .0 .3 1.1 .9 .0 1.7 5.5 1.3 .1 13019<br />
Middle 6.8 2.4 .6 .0 .2 1.4 .8 .0 1.7 5.6 1.2 .1 12397<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 7.0 2.4 .6 .0 .3 1.3 .6 .0 2.1 5.9 1.0 .1 11572<br />
Richest 5.1 1.8 .4 .0 .2 1.1 .2 .0 1.7 4.4 .7 .0 11946<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 6.5 2.3 .6 .0 .2 1.1 .7 .0 1.7 5.4 1.1 .1 62463<br />
134
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 35<br />
Knowledge of preventing HIV transmissi<strong>on</strong><br />
Percentage of women aged 15-49 years who know the main ways of preventing HIV<br />
transmissi<strong>on</strong>, Bangladesh, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Heard<br />
of<br />
AIDS<br />
Percentage who know transmissi<strong>on</strong> can<br />
be prevented by:<br />
Having <strong>on</strong>ly <strong>on</strong>e<br />
faithful uninfected sex<br />
partner<br />
Using a c<strong>on</strong>dom<br />
every time<br />
Knows<br />
both<br />
ways<br />
Knows<br />
at least<br />
<strong>on</strong>e way<br />
Doesn't<br />
know<br />
any way<br />
Number<br />
of<br />
women<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal 63.3 47.0 38.8 33.9 51.9 48.1 4172<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 64.8 51.0 43.0 37.8 56.2 43.8 13372<br />
Dhaka 72.7 56.5 47.8 42.5 61.9 38.1 22404<br />
Khulna 75.0 61.3 50.8 46.0 66.1 33.9 8124<br />
Rajshahi 54.3 37.9 36.8 29.9 44.8 55.2 17394<br />
Sylhet 53.7 39.4 29.7 25.5 43.6 56.4 4393<br />
Area Rural 57.2 41.8 34.9 29.6 47.1 52.9 47449<br />
Urban 83.2 67.8 60.5 54.4 73.9 26.1 21807<br />
Urban municipality 79.8 64.0 56.9 50.8 70.1 29.9 15267<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 91.0 76.4 68.9 62.6 82.6 17.4 6540<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 92.2 78.1 70.6 64.6 84.1 15.9 6067<br />
Slum 75.9 55.1 46.4 37.5 64.0 36.0 473<br />
Tribal 35.3 26.6 22.3 19.6 29.3 70.7 604<br />
Age 15-19 years 78.1 61.6 51.3 45.1 67.8 32.2 15284<br />
20-24 years 73.6 58.2 52.2 45.5 64.9 35.1 12630<br />
25-29 years 66.8 51.6 46.1 40.3 57.5 42.5 11151<br />
30-34 years 60.1 44.9 39.2 34.0 50.1 49.9 9376<br />
35-39 years 57.0 41.9 35.9 30.6 47.2 52.8 8853<br />
40-44 years 51.2 37.3 30.8 26.8 41.2 58.8 6627<br />
45-49 years 45.9 30.9 24.4 20.6 34.7 65.3 5939<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> N<strong>on</strong>e 36.6 23.5 17.9 14.5 26.9 73.1 23812<br />
Primary incomplete 56.2 38.9 30.6 25.6 43.9 56.1 9669<br />
Primary completed 70.2 49.5 41.7 34.4 56.8 43.2 8286<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary incomplete 87.7 70.5 61.1 53.8 77.9 22.1 18917<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dary completed 98.9 88.6 85.3 78.9 95.0 5.0 8923<br />
or higher<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard curriculum 38.0 19.5 19.7 11.8 27.3 72.7 247<br />
Missing/DK 85.0 85.0 .0 .0 85.0 15.0 6<br />
Wealth index Poorest 34.8 21.8 17.8 14.1 25.6 74.4 12818<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 47.3 32.1 26.1 21.4 36.8 63.2 13359<br />
Middle 63.5 46.4 38.1 32.4 52.1 47.9 13821<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 80.8 63.2 54.0 46.9 70.3 29.7 14241<br />
Richest 92.3 78.5 71.6 65.5 84.6 15.4 15622<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 65.1 49.8 42.8 37.3 55.3 44.7 69860<br />
135
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Annex: 36<br />
Children's living arrangements <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> orphanhood, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Living<br />
with both<br />
parents<br />
Only<br />
father<br />
alive<br />
Living with neither parent Living with mother <strong>on</strong>ly Living with father <strong>on</strong>ly<br />
Only<br />
mother<br />
alive<br />
Both<br />
are alive<br />
Both<br />
are dead<br />
Father<br />
alive<br />
Father<br />
dead<br />
Mother<br />
alive<br />
Mother<br />
dead<br />
Impossible<br />
to<br />
determine<br />
Total<br />
Not living<br />
with a<br />
biological<br />
parent *<br />
One or<br />
both<br />
parents<br />
dead **<br />
Number of<br />
children<br />
Sex Male 86.2 .2 .3 2.0 .4 5.5 3.6 .3 1.1 .4 100.0 2.9 5.6 64406<br />
Female 81.2 .5 .7 6.4 .6 5.4 3.5 .2 .8 .7 100.0 8.3 6.1 63104<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong><br />
Barisal 84.6 .3 .5 4.0 .6 5.0 2.9 .3 1.0 .8 100.0 5.4 5.3 8290<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g 78.7 .3 .4 3.0 .5 10.9 4.7 .2 .8 .5 100.0 4.2 6.7 27267<br />
Dhaka 84.1 .4 .6 4.6 .4 4.9 3.2 .3 .9 .6 100.0 5.9 5.5 39653<br />
Khulna 87.0 .3 .5 4.8 .2 3.4 2.3 .3 .8 .4 100.0 5.8 4.2 13056<br />
Rajshahi 86.9 .3 .6 5.1 .7 2.1 2.7 .2 .9 .6 100.0 6.7 5.2 29669<br />
Sylhet 81.7 .3 .5 2.4 .8 6.0 5.9 .2 1.8 .3 100.0 4.1 9.4 9575<br />
Area Rural 84.3 .3 .5 3.9 .5 5.5 3.4 .2 1.0 .5 100.0 5.1 5.6 91877<br />
Urban 82.1 .5 .6 5.1 .5 5.4 3.8 .2 1.0 .6 100.0 6.8 6.4 34539<br />
Urban municipality 83.0 .4 .5 4.8 .5 5.4 3.6 .2 1.0 .6 100.0 6.3 6.1 25062<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s 80.0 .7 .9 6.0 .6 5.5 4.2 .3 1.0 .8 100.0 8.2 7.4 9478<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum 79.7 .7 .9 6.2 .6 5.5 4.2 .3 1.0 .9 100.0 8.4 7.5 8605<br />
Slum 82.5 .4 .8 4.1 .5 5.8 4.1 .6 .7 .4 100.0 5.9 6.6 873<br />
Tribal 88.6 .3 .5 3.2 .6 2.0 3.2 .5 .8 .4 100.0 4.6 5.4 1093<br />
Age 0-4 years 90.9 .1 .0 .7 .2 6.6 .9 .1 .2 .3 100.0 1.0 1.5 34908<br />
5-9 years 87.9 .2 .3 1.9 .2 5.9 2.4 .3 .8 .1 100.0 2.6 3.9 36925<br />
10-14 years 82.9 .5 .5 3.9 .4 4.9 5.0 .3 1.4 .2 100.0 5.3 7.8 35216<br />
15-17 years 65.5 .7 1.7 14.8 1.8 3.6 7.4 .3 1.8 2.4 100.0 19.1 13.4 20460<br />
Wealth index Poorest 87.9 .2 .4 2.7 .4 2.8 3.8 .3 1.0 .4 100.0 3.7 5.8 28986<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d 85.5 .4 .4 3.7 .5 3.7 3.9 .4 1.0 .6 100.0 5.0 6.2 27078<br />
Middle 83.6 .2 .5 4.2 .6 5.2 3.8 .2 1.1 .7 100.0 5.5 6.2 25595<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> 81.1 .3 .4 4.1 .5 8.8 2.9 .1 1.0 .7 100.0 5.4 5.1 23921<br />
Richest 79.0 .6 .9 6.8 .6 7.7 2.9 .2 .7 .6 100.0 8.9 5.7 21929<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al 83.7 .3 .5 4.2 .5 5.4 3.5 .2 1.0 .6 100.0 5.5 5.8 127509<br />
136
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 37<br />
School attendance of orphaned children<br />
School attendance of children aged 10-14 years by orphan hood status, Bangladesh, MICS 2006<br />
Background characteristics<br />
Percent of<br />
children<br />
whose<br />
mother or<br />
father have<br />
died<br />
School<br />
attendance rate<br />
of children<br />
whose mother<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> father have<br />
died<br />
Percentage of<br />
children whose<br />
mother <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
father have died<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> who are<br />
attending school<br />
School<br />
attendance rate<br />
of children<br />
whose mother or<br />
father have died<br />
Number of<br />
children whose<br />
mother or father<br />
have died <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
who are<br />
attending school<br />
Percent of children<br />
of whom both<br />
parents are alive<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child is living<br />
with at least <strong>on</strong>e<br />
parent<br />
School attendance<br />
rate of children of<br />
whom both parents<br />
are alive <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child<br />
is living with at<br />
least <strong>on</strong>e parent<br />
Number of children<br />
of whom both<br />
parents are alive<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> child is living<br />
with at least <strong>on</strong>e<br />
parent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> who are<br />
attending school<br />
Sex Male .4 68.8 51.0 61.2 837.1 89.2 75.9 12161.6 .91 17955<br />
Female .4 66.6 43.2 66.1 911.9 86.9 85.5 12819.0 .78 17261<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> Barisal .3 45.8 1.1 66.6 8.4 86.9 82.4 141.0 .54 2514<br />
Chittag<strong>on</strong>g .4 64.4 1.0 62.4 18.3 86.2 82.4 217.1 .81 7586<br />
Dhaka .3 59.3 1.2 63.5 13.7 88.6 79.5 204.9 .79 10872<br />
Khulna .3 75.0 .8 70.5 6.7 89.9 86.2 132.6 .87 3602<br />
Rajshahi .4 71.8 1.6 63.4 9.8 87.7 81.3 171.0 .88 8108<br />
Sylhet 1.2 63.5 1.9 61.3 22.3 81.2 76.3 171.4 .84 2535<br />
Area Rural .4 68.0 1.6 65.7 19.1 89.7 80.6 281.4 .86 25125<br />
Urban .4 58.6 .9 63.0 7.1 85.5 82.3 93.9 .74 9783<br />
Urban municipality .4 57.5 .8 64.5 6.0 85.7 83.2 77.3 .70 7057<br />
City Corporati<strong>on</strong>s .5 61.6 1.4 50.5 15.9 84.5 75.3 226.7 .86 2727<br />
N<strong>on</strong>-slum .4 62.9 1.8 53.6 19.8 83.2 82.4 283.2 .75 2480<br />
Slum .8 58.3 .3 41.1 4.1 88.2 54.1 57.2 1.12 247<br />
Tribal 1.0 49.4 .6 73.4 5.0 87.7 81.0 70.3 .63 307<br />
Wealth index Poorest .3 50.0 10.1 55.9 343.4 90.0 69.6 4752.9 .72 7582<br />
quintiles Sec<strong>on</strong>d .4 74.3 20.4 58.4 364.5 89.5 76.6 5207.9 .97 7596<br />
Middle .5 66.0 21.8 68.7 401.0 89.0 81.0 5185.8 .81 7193<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> .5 77.3 26.5 73.5 330.3 89.2 86.6 5091.1 .89 6588<br />
Richest .4 64.0 15.3 65.3 309.9 81.7 92.8 4742.9 .69 6257<br />
Number of children .4 67.7 94.2 63.7 1749.0 88.1 80.5 24980.6 .84 35216<br />
10-14 years of age<br />
Double<br />
orphans to<br />
n<strong>on</strong><br />
orphans<br />
school<br />
attendance<br />
ratio*<br />
Total<br />
number of<br />
children<br />
aged<br />
10-14<br />
years<br />
137
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Annex: 38<br />
Anti-Trafficking Measures Specially Trafficking in Women & Children<br />
(From 15 June 2004 to 31 March 2007)<br />
SL<br />
01<br />
Subject<br />
M<strong>on</strong>itoring of selected Cases relating to<br />
Trafficking in women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children:<br />
Indicators<br />
1. TOTAL SELECTED CASES<br />
2. TOTAL DISPOSED OF CASES<br />
3. Total cases ended in c<strong>on</strong>victi<strong>on</strong><br />
4. Total accused c<strong>on</strong>victed:<br />
a. Death Sentence<br />
b. Life impris<strong>on</strong>ment<br />
c. Other terms<br />
5. Total cases ended in acquittal<br />
6. Total pers<strong>on</strong>s acquitted<br />
Data<br />
146<br />
142<br />
75<br />
128<br />
03<br />
95<br />
30<br />
67<br />
251<br />
02<br />
M<strong>on</strong>itoring of new Cases<br />
(Since 15 June, 2004)<br />
1. TOTAL CASES INSTITUTED<br />
2. Total accused involved<br />
3. Total Traffickers arrested<br />
4. Charge Sheet<br />
5. Final <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
6. Total cases relating to complicity of officials<br />
7. Total Officials involved<br />
394<br />
1301<br />
428<br />
279<br />
80<br />
03<br />
15<br />
03<br />
Total Cases disposed of<br />
1. Total cases disposed of under m<strong>on</strong>itoring<br />
2. Total cases disposed of out of m<strong>on</strong>itoring<br />
3. Total cases ended in c<strong>on</strong>victi<strong>on</strong><br />
4. Total cases ended in acquittal<br />
5. Total pers<strong>on</strong>s c<strong>on</strong>victed<br />
175<br />
97<br />
272<br />
108<br />
164<br />
04<br />
Pers<strong>on</strong>s rescued<br />
1 Pers<strong>on</strong>s rescued by police<br />
2. Pers<strong>on</strong>s rescued by BDR<br />
3. Pers<strong>on</strong>s rescued by RAB<br />
4. Self<br />
Total<br />
325<br />
98<br />
25<br />
111<br />
559<br />
05<br />
Rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> of trafficked pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
1. Parents<br />
2. NGOs Safe Home<br />
3. Govt. Safe Home<br />
Total- (Women- 265, Male- 25, Children- 269)<br />
540<br />
08<br />
11<br />
559<br />
06<br />
Repatriati<strong>on</strong>, rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
re-integrati<strong>on</strong> of Camel Jockeys/<br />
trafficked pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
1. Total number of jockeys repatriated<br />
2. Total number of Jockeys reintegrated<br />
3. No. of Jockeys yet to be reintegrated<br />
169<br />
168<br />
1<br />
07<br />
Preventi<strong>on</strong> at Airport/ L<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> port<br />
I. ZIA AIRPORT, DHAKA:<br />
A. 1. CHECK-IN-COUNTER<br />
2. Immigrati<strong>on</strong><br />
3. Passport Checking Unit<br />
35<br />
3,142<br />
29<br />
3,206<br />
B. Chittag<strong>on</strong>g Airport:<br />
C. Sylhet Airport:<br />
1. L<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> port:<br />
C. BEANPOLE, JESSORE:<br />
1. Hili, Dinajpur<br />
TOTAL-<br />
88<br />
120<br />
48<br />
25<br />
3,487<br />
138
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
Annex: 39<br />
State versus Muhammad Row Shan Ali Case (Copy of judgement)<br />
PRESENT:<br />
Mr. Justice Md. Imman Ali<br />
And<br />
Mr. Justice A.K.M. Fazlur Rahman<br />
Death Reference No.05 of 2004<br />
With<br />
Criminal Appeal No.90 of 2004<br />
And<br />
Jail Appeal No.577 of 2004.<br />
The State<br />
-Versus-<br />
Md. Roushan M<strong>on</strong>dal @ Hashem<br />
.........C<strong>on</strong>demned Pris<strong>on</strong>er/Appellant.<br />
Ms. Fahima Nasrin, D.A.G.<br />
with<br />
Mr. Md. Jamil Akhter Elahi, A.A.G.<br />
………For the State<br />
Mr. Md. Abdul Jabbar, Advocate<br />
.......... For the C<strong>on</strong>demned Pris<strong>on</strong>er/Appellant.<br />
Dr. Shahdeen Malik, Advocate<br />
..........Amicus Curiae<br />
Heard <strong>on</strong>:5.7.2006, 6.7.2006<br />
And<br />
Judgment <strong>on</strong>:9.7.2006.<br />
139
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
MD. IMMAN ALI, J:<br />
This Reference under Secti<strong>on</strong> 374 of the Code of Criminal Procedure submitted by the learned Additi<strong>on</strong>al Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge,<br />
1st Court, Jhenaidah is placed for c<strong>on</strong>firmati<strong>on</strong> of the sentence of death imposed up<strong>on</strong> accused Md. Roushan M<strong>on</strong>dal @<br />
Hashem up<strong>on</strong> finding him guilty under Secti<strong>on</strong> 6(2) of the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman (Bishesh Bidhan) Ain, 1995, ("the<br />
Ain") by the judgment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> order dated 13.1.2004 passed by him sitting as the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Bishesh Adalat<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Additi<strong>on</strong>al Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge, 1st Court, Jhenaidah in Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Special Case No.1 of 2000. Being<br />
aggrieved by the said judgment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> order of c<strong>on</strong>victi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sentence, the c<strong>on</strong>demned pris<strong>on</strong>er filed Jail Appeal No.577 of<br />
2004 as well as Criminal Appeal No.90 of 2004. All the matters, which arise out of the same judgment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> order, are taken<br />
up together for disposal by this judgment.<br />
FACTS OF THE CASE<br />
The prosecuti<strong>on</strong> case, in brief, is that <strong>on</strong> 15.10.1999 at about 8:30 p.m. Ms. Rikta Khatun, aged about 8 years, daughter of<br />
the informant Md. Ziarat M<strong>on</strong>dal, left her father’s house in order to watch televisi<strong>on</strong> at the house of their neighbour, Md.<br />
Bazlu. As his daughter did not return by 10:00 p.m. the informant started to search for her <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> found out that she did not go<br />
to the aforementi<strong>on</strong>ed house in order to watch televisi<strong>on</strong>. His search was in vain <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ultimately, <strong>on</strong> 16.10.1999 at 5:00 a.m.<br />
<strong>on</strong>e Md. Batu gave him news that his daughter’s dead body was lying in the turmeric field to the west of the house of<br />
Prosanta Kumar Saha. The informant then went to that place <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> identified the dead body of his daughter. He saw marks<br />
of injury <strong>on</strong> his daughter’s neck. It is the prosecuti<strong>on</strong> case that the victim was raped before being suffocated to death by the<br />
c<strong>on</strong>demned pris<strong>on</strong>er. The informant lodged the First Informati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> (F.I.R.) with Shailakupa Police Stati<strong>on</strong> at 9:35 a.m.<br />
<strong>on</strong> 16.10.1999 without naming any<strong>on</strong>e as accused.<br />
During investigati<strong>on</strong> accused Roushan M<strong>on</strong>dal was arrested. He made a c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>al statement recorded by a Magistrate.<br />
After investigati<strong>on</strong> the police submitted charge sheet against the accused under Secti<strong>on</strong> 6(2) of the Ain. Cognizance was<br />
taken by the Judge of the Nari-o- Shishu Nirjatan Daman Bishesh Adalat <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge, Jhenaidah. By his order dated<br />
22.1.2001, up<strong>on</strong> taking evidence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> after hearing submissi<strong>on</strong>s with regard to the age of the accused, the learned Sessi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Judge came to a finding that the accused was at that time aged 15<br />
years 21 days. Thereafter, he sent the case for trial to the Additi<strong>on</strong>al Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge, 1st Court, Jhenaidah,-cum-Nari-o-<br />
Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal, Jhenaidah. In view of the earlier order dated 22.1.2001 with regard to the age of the<br />
accused, the learned trial Judge, by his order dated 28.2.2001, assumed the role of a Juvenile Court under the Children Act,<br />
1974 (henceforthreferred to as "the Act") <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> framed charge against the accused under Secti<strong>on</strong> 6(2) of the Ain. In the course<br />
of trial 11 prosecuti<strong>on</strong> witnesses were produced <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> examined in order to substantiate the case against the accused pers<strong>on</strong>,<br />
whereas the defence did not examine any witness. From the trend of the cross-examinati<strong>on</strong> of the prosecuti<strong>on</strong> witnesses<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> from the statement of the accused given when examined under Secti<strong>on</strong> 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898<br />
("the Code") the defence case appears to be <strong>on</strong>e of innocence. The accused also alleged that he was tortured in police<br />
custody <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> compelled to make a c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
EVIDENCE IN THE CASE<br />
Sree Boloye Kumar Saha, deposing as P.W.1, stated in his examinati<strong>on</strong>-in-chief that the informant told him at about 10:00<br />
p.m. <strong>on</strong> 15.10.1999 that he could not find his daughter. On the next morning he heard that Rikta’s dead body was found in<br />
the turmeric field to the west of the house of Proshanta Babu. He stated that he <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the local Commissi<strong>on</strong>er al<strong>on</strong>g with the<br />
informant went to the Police Stati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> filed the F.I.R., up<strong>on</strong> which the informant had put his thumb impressi<strong>on</strong>. He proved<br />
the F.I.R. (Ext.1) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Inquest <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> (Ext.2) prepared by the police at the place of occurrence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> identified his signature<br />
<strong>on</strong> the Inquest <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> as Ext.2/1. In his cross-examinati<strong>on</strong> he stated that he knew that accused Roushan M<strong>on</strong>dal was aged<br />
about 13/14 years; that the accused was arrested by the police about <strong>on</strong>e m<strong>on</strong>th after the occurrence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> he c<strong>on</strong>fessed his<br />
guilt after being beaten by the police; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that he did not know how the victim died. He added that so far as he was aware,<br />
140
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
the accused was a good boy. Md. Abu Taleb, who deposed as P.W.2, is a witness to the inquest. He identified his signature<br />
<strong>on</strong> the Inquest <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>, which was marked as Ext.2/2. In his cross-examinati<strong>on</strong> he stated that the cause of death of the girl<br />
was not discussed at the time when he signed the Inquest <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>. He also stated that a few days after the occurrence <strong>on</strong>e<br />
Kamal caught the accused <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed him over to the police <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that he went to see the accused at the police<br />
Stati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> saw marks of injury <strong>on</strong> his body. He stated that the accused told him that the police tortured him in order to obtain<br />
a c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>; that he forbade the police from torturing him; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that the accused had l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> dispute with said Kamal. He<br />
added that at the time of occurrence the accused was a minor.<br />
Nirmal Kumar Adikari, deposing as P.W.3, stated that he knew nothing of the occurrence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> was declared a hostile witness<br />
by the prosecuti<strong>on</strong>. In his cross-examinati<strong>on</strong> by the prosecuti<strong>on</strong> he denied that at 9:00 p.m. <strong>on</strong> 15th October, while going to<br />
the Puja M<strong>on</strong>dap, he saw the accused pers<strong>on</strong>s sitting <strong>on</strong> the border of the turmeric field having a discussi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> heard <strong>on</strong><br />
the following day that Rikta had died. In his cross-examinati<strong>on</strong> by the defence he stated that his house was near to that of<br />
Rikta Khatun <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that he did not know how she died. Iqbal Hossain <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Zahi, who deposed as P.W.4 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> P.W.5 respectively,<br />
are both seizure list witnesses. They identified their signature/thumb impressi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the seizure list. Dr. Bashirul Alam,<br />
deposed as P.W.6, giving details of the post-mortem report, which had been prepared up<strong>on</strong> examinati<strong>on</strong> of the dead body<br />
by a Medical Board. He gave details of the injuries found <strong>on</strong> the dead body, namely abrasi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the left ring finger, upper<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> lower lips, upper eyelid <strong>on</strong> the right side of the eye. The victim’s vulva was oedematous <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> there was c<strong>on</strong>gested<br />
bloodstain <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sec<strong>on</strong>d degree tears towards the anus. Up<strong>on</strong> microscopic examinati<strong>on</strong> R.B.C. was found in plenty from the<br />
vagina. There were also dead spermatozoa present. He opined that the death was due to asphyxia as a result of smothering,<br />
which was ante mortem <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> homicidal in nature, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that she was raped. He proved the P.M. <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> (Ext.4) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> identified<br />
his signature <strong>on</strong> the report (Ext. 4/1). He also identified the signatures of the other members of the Board. In his crossexaminati<strong>on</strong><br />
he stated that the hymen can be ruptured in different ways <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that he did not know how the suffocati<strong>on</strong> had<br />
been caused. Abu Hanif, who deposed as P.W.7, is a formal witness who filled in the F.I.R. form. Rada Raman Saha,<br />
deposing as P.W.8, stated that the occurrence took place about 3/3_ years previously <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that he knew nothing of the<br />
occurrence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> did not know who killed victim Rikta. He was declared hostile <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in cross-examinati<strong>on</strong> by the prosecuti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
he denied that he knew about the occurrence or that <strong>on</strong> 15.10.1999 the accused pers<strong>on</strong> st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing in the dock forcibly raped<br />
her thereby causing her death. Pr<strong>on</strong>ob Kumar Gosh, P.W.9, was the Magistrate who recorded the c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>al statement<br />
of the accused. In his examinati<strong>on</strong>-in-chief he stated that he recorded the statement of the accused under Secti<strong>on</strong> 164 of<br />
the Code <strong>on</strong> 19.11.1999 having followed all the relevant procedures. He identified his signatures <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
statement <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> stated that the accused c<strong>on</strong>fessed voluntarily. In his cross-examinati<strong>on</strong>, he stated that he had been a<br />
Magistrate for 3 (three) years, but did not have First Class power <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that he recorded the c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>al statement <strong>on</strong> the<br />
order of the Deputy Commissi<strong>on</strong>er. He stated that he did not write <strong>on</strong> the form the nature of the offence or how it was<br />
committed; that <strong>on</strong> page-2 of the form he wrote that from 16.11.1999 to 19.11.1999 the accused was in police custody; that<br />
he did not tell the accused that if he c<strong>on</strong>fessed he would be sentenced to death; that the fact that time was given to the<br />
accused for reflecti<strong>on</strong> was not written down; that he did not write that there was no sign of torture by the police. He denied<br />
that the accused was a minor at the time of making the c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>. He denied the suggesti<strong>on</strong> that the accused was beaten<br />
by the police <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong> was recorded as tutored by them <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that the same was obtained by threat. He denied that<br />
the c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong> was not voluntary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> true. He admitted that the accused subsequently retracted his statement. He denied<br />
the suggesti<strong>on</strong> that at that time he did not have the authority to record a statement under secti<strong>on</strong> 164 of the Code.<br />
The informant, Md. Ziarat M<strong>on</strong>dal, deposing as P.W.10, stated that the occurrence took place <strong>on</strong> 15.10.1999 at 8/8:30 p.m.<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> at that time his daughter Rikta was aged 8 years. He narrated the prosecuti<strong>on</strong> story, as stated by him in the F.I.R., that<br />
his daughter went out to watch televisi<strong>on</strong> at night, but had not returned by 10:00 p.m. <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> so he went out in search for her,<br />
but in vain. On the next morning at 5:00 a.m. he received news from Batu that the dead body of the victim was lying in the<br />
turmeric field of Proshanta Kumar. He went to the place of occurrence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> found his daughter lying dead with marks of injury<br />
<strong>on</strong> her neck. He also stated that he suspected that some unknown pers<strong>on</strong>s had killed his daughter. He identified his thumb<br />
impressi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the F.I.R. He also identified the material exhibits namely, <strong>on</strong>e pink coloured frock <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> pink coloured shorts.<br />
He stated that he later found out that accused Roushan took his daughter to the turmeric field <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> forcibly raped her <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
141
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
that the accused subsequently c<strong>on</strong>fessed before the Magistrate. He dem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed justice for the rape <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> murder of his<br />
daughter. In his cross-examinati<strong>on</strong> he admitted that in the F.I.R. he did not name any<strong>on</strong>e as accused or as a suspect. He<br />
stated that he heard that accused Roushan took the victim to the turmeric field <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> raped her; that he heard <strong>on</strong>e Kamal<br />
h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed the accused over to the police <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that the police informed him (the witness) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> took him to the Police Stati<strong>on</strong>. He<br />
added that at first the accused did not c<strong>on</strong>fess, but he was beaten at the Police Stati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> was injured as a result. He also<br />
stated that the accused has l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> dispute with Kamal. He asserted that neither he nor any member of his family suspected<br />
the accused. He added that so far as he knew the accused was not c<strong>on</strong>nected with the murder of his daughter. He also<br />
asserted that he had no complaint against the accused. Md. Yousuf Ali, P.W.11, who was the Investigating Officer, stated<br />
that he took up investigati<strong>on</strong> of the case <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> went to the place of occurrence, prepared the sketch map <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> index, recorded<br />
the statements of the witnesses, prepared the Inquest <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sent the dead body to the morgue for post-mortem<br />
examinati<strong>on</strong>. He also proved <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> exhibited the seizure list (Ext.3), the sketch map (Ext.6) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the index (Ext.7). He stated<br />
that he perused the post-mortem report <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> during the investigati<strong>on</strong> arrested accused Roushan, who, up<strong>on</strong> questi<strong>on</strong>ing,<br />
admitted his guilt. He sent the accused to the Court for recording his statement under Secti<strong>on</strong> 164 of the Code. Up<strong>on</strong> finding<br />
prima-facie case he submitted the charge sheet against the accused. The witness also identified the material exhibits in<br />
Court. In his cross-examinati<strong>on</strong>, he stated that n<strong>on</strong>e is named in the F.I.R. as accused <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> he did not inquire as to who wrote<br />
the F.I.R. He stated that he arrested 3 pers<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> 17.10.1999 after the filing of the F.I.R. <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sent them to Court. On<br />
31.10.1999 he arrested another pers<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sent him to the Court. He stated that in his F.I.R. the victim’s father did not<br />
suspect any<strong>on</strong>e <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that he himself discovered the name of accused Roushan during his investigati<strong>on</strong>; that the informant<br />
himself named accused Roushan <strong>on</strong> 26.10.1999; that there is no eye-witness to the occurrence, but there was a<br />
c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>al statement of the accused; that the statement under secti<strong>on</strong> 164 of the Code was not recorded <strong>on</strong> the day the<br />
accused was forwarded to the Magistrate, but it was recorded <strong>on</strong> 19.11.1999 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> he could not say where the accused was<br />
<strong>on</strong> 18.11.1999. He denied that the accused was under the age of 16 years when he was arrested <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> was a minor; that a<br />
false statement was recorded after detaining the accused in the police Stati<strong>on</strong> for 3 days; that the Magistrate did not have<br />
the power to record the statement. He stated that at that time he noted Pr<strong>on</strong>ab Kumar as a Magistrate, First Class. He denied<br />
the suggesti<strong>on</strong> that the c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong> was not voluntary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> true. He denied any knowledge as to whether the c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong> was<br />
retracted <strong>on</strong> 20.1.2000.<br />
On the basis of the above evidence as well as up<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of the c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>al statement <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the patently illegal<br />
c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of the statements of witnesses recorded under Secti<strong>on</strong> 161 of the Code, the learned trial Judge c<strong>on</strong>victed the<br />
c<strong>on</strong>demned pris<strong>on</strong>er-appellant <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sentenced him as aforesaid.<br />
In the course of submissi<strong>on</strong>s an interesting legal point has been raised from the Bar with regard to the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal to hear the case.<br />
SUBMISSIONS ON BEHALF OF THE STATE<br />
Ms. Fahima Nasrin, learned Deputy Attorney General appearing <strong>on</strong> behalf of the State submits that this is a case where an<br />
innocent 8 year old girl was quite clearly raped <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> brutally murdered. She submits that the occurrence, i.e. the fact of the<br />
rape <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> murder of the child is not denied <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> is supported by the evidence of the post-mortem examinati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
evidence of the doctor. Having said that, she submits that the accused was admittedly a minor at the time of the occurrence<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> when the charge was framed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> should, therefore, have been tried by the Juvenile Court. In support of her c<strong>on</strong>tenti<strong>on</strong><br />
she placed reliance up<strong>on</strong> Bangladesh Legal Aid <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Services Trust <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> another vs Bangladesh & others, 7 BLC 85. The<br />
learned D.A.G. c<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>idly c<strong>on</strong>ceded that the c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong> of the accused, having been recorded after 3 days in police custody,<br />
cannot be said to be voluntary. However, she submits that there is sufficient evidence to show that the accused was guilty<br />
of the rape <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> murder <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> should be tried by the Juvenile Court, since the trial by the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman<br />
Tribunal was without jurisdicti<strong>on</strong>. In support of her submissi<strong>on</strong> that the case ought to be sent <strong>on</strong> rem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> for a fresh trial by<br />
the Juvenile Court, the learned D.A.G. refereed to, inter alia, Md. Shamim Vs. The State, 19 BLD (HCD) 542, State Vs.<br />
Deputy Commissi<strong>on</strong>er, Satkhira <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> others, 45 DLR 643, Baktiar Hossain vs. State 47 DLR 542, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Shiplu <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> another<br />
vs. State, 49 DLR 53.<br />
142
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
SUBMISSIONS ON BEHALF OF THE CONDEMNED PRISONER/ APPELLANT<br />
Mr. Md. Abdul Jabbar, learned advocate appearing <strong>on</strong> behalf of the c<strong>on</strong>demned pris<strong>on</strong>er-appellant, submits that the<br />
accused was a minor at the time of his trial. In particular, he points to the order dated 22.1.2001 by which he was found to<br />
be below the age of 16 years. He submits that, therefore, he should have been tried by a Juvenile Court in accordance with<br />
the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the Children Act, 1974. He submits that the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal neither had the<br />
jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> to try the accused as he was under the age of 16, nor could it transform itself to a Juvenile Court since the<br />
Tribunal is not empowered as such under secti<strong>on</strong> 4 of the Act. He submits that, therefore, the trial is illegal ab initio for lack<br />
of jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of the Court to try the accused-appellant. He further submits that the trial Judge in his judgment has adverted<br />
to the earlier finding of the Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge in the order dated 22.1.2001 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> has in fact reviewed that decisi<strong>on</strong> by which the<br />
age of the accused had been established. He submits that the prosecuti<strong>on</strong> did not appeal against that order <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the trial<br />
Judge had no jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> to review the earlier order <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> finding of the Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge.<br />
With regard to the merit of the case, the learned advocate submits that there is no eyewitness to the occurrence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
<strong>on</strong>ly basis of the c<strong>on</strong>victi<strong>on</strong> is the so-called c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>al statement of the accused. He points out that admittedly the<br />
c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong> of the accused was recorded after keeping him in police custody for three days. Referring to Farid Karim Vs. The<br />
State, 45 DLR 171, he submits that the unlawful detenti<strong>on</strong> of the accused in police custody before recording his c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>,<br />
rendered his statement involuntary <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, therefore, it cannot be used as evidence against him. He also refers to Akhtar<br />
Hossain alias Babul Akhtar alias Akhtar Ali <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> another Vs. The State, 44 DLR 83 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Abdul Jabbar Vs. The State, 16 BLD<br />
552. He further points out that from the evidence of the informant himself, it appears that the accused was tortured before<br />
he made his c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> this is supported by the evidence of P.Ws.1 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 2. He also points out that the informant, who<br />
is the father of the victim, categorically stated in his evidence that he had no complaint against the accused <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that as far<br />
as he knew the accused was not c<strong>on</strong>nected with his daughter’s murder. The learned advocate also points out that the police<br />
arrested the accused, who was apprehended <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed over to them by <strong>on</strong>e Kamal. He submits that said Kamal is a<br />
material witness who was not examined by the prosecuti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> as such a negative inference should be drawn against the<br />
prosecuti<strong>on</strong> under Secti<strong>on</strong> 114(g) of the Evidence Act, inasmuch as, if Kamal had been examined, he would not have<br />
supported the prosecuti<strong>on</strong> case. He further points out that the evidence of the witnesses shows that Kamal had l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> dispute<br />
with the accused <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, therefore, his apprehensi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing over to the police was driven by an ulterior motive <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> clearly<br />
an act of vindictiveness. The learned advocate submits that there is absolutely no legal evidence to sustain the c<strong>on</strong>victi<strong>on</strong><br />
of the accused <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> for that prays that he may be acquitted.<br />
Since the matter raises a point of law with regard to the applicability of the Children Act, 1974, we took the opportunity to<br />
seek the opini<strong>on</strong> of Dr. Shahdeen Malik, learned advocate, who has researched into the Children Act <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> written a book <strong>on</strong><br />
the subject.<br />
SUBMISSIONS OF THE AMICUS CURIAE<br />
Dr. Malik, as amicus curiae, submitted that, so far as the accused is c<strong>on</strong>cerned, it appears that he was at the material time<br />
a minor <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> could <strong>on</strong>ly have been tried by the Juvenile Court under the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the Children Act, 1974. In this regard<br />
he takes support from Md. Shamim Vs. The State, 19 BLD (HCD) 542, State Vs. Deputy Commissi<strong>on</strong>er, Satkhira <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> others,<br />
45 DLR 643, Baktiar Hossain vs. State 47 DLR 542, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Shiplu <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> another vs. State, 49 DLR 53. He submits that the cases<br />
show that when the accused is below the age of 16 he is to be tried by the Juvenile Court <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> any other Court assuming<br />
jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> would render the trial as void ab initio. He also submits that the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal could not<br />
lawfully assume the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> as Juvenile Court since that would be c<strong>on</strong>trary to secti<strong>on</strong> 4 of the Act, which specifically<br />
empowers the Courts listed therein as the Juvenile Court, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> no Tribunal is included in that list. With regard to the<br />
provisi<strong>on</strong>s of Secti<strong>on</strong> 3 of the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan (Bishesh Bidhan) Ain, 1995, the learned advocate submits that,<br />
although this is a subsequent enactment, it cannot take away the rights given to the child accused, known as ‘youthful<br />
offender’ under the Children Act, 1974, since those rights were given under the provisi<strong>on</strong> of Article 28(4) of the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Those rights having been given as positive rights derived from Article 28(4) of the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>, they cannot be taken away<br />
143
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
by a subsequent enactment as that would deprive the youthful offender of his vested right given by the said Act, which was<br />
enacted under the powers given by the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>. He brought to our notice Writ Petiti<strong>on</strong> No.3356 of 2006 where secti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
3 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 20(7) of the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Ain, 2000 have been challenged as being in violati<strong>on</strong> of Article 28(4) of<br />
the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>. He also brought to our notice Writ Petiti<strong>on</strong> No.8283 of 2005 wherein Rule has been issued up<strong>on</strong> a challenge<br />
that secti<strong>on</strong> 6(2) of the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan (Bishesh Bidhan) Ain, 1995 is ultra-vires of Articles 7, 26, 31, 32 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 35 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Part VI of the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>. Both the Writ Petiti<strong>on</strong>s are pending for hearing before this Court.<br />
DELIBERATIONS<br />
We had the opportunity of reading the decisi<strong>on</strong>s referred by the learned advocates as well as other materials referred by<br />
them. It appears that some of the decisi<strong>on</strong>s relate to offences under the Penal Code, which have been either sent <strong>on</strong> rem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
for trial by the Juvenile Court or the judgment was set aside <strong>on</strong> the ground that the trial was without jurisdicti<strong>on</strong>, as the matter<br />
ought to have been tried by the Juvenile Court. The finding of this Court in State Vs. Deputy Commissi<strong>on</strong>er, Satkhira <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
others (supra) is that no child is to be tried with an adult <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a child must be tried by the Juvenile Court. The decisi<strong>on</strong> in the<br />
Shiplu case, cited above, is that the judgment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> order of c<strong>on</strong>victi<strong>on</strong> passed by the trial Court, not being a Juvenile Court,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the ac used being below the age of 16 years, is to be set aside for want of jurisdicti<strong>on</strong>. M<strong>on</strong>ir Hossain (Md) @ M<strong>on</strong>ir<br />
Hossain vs State, 53 DLR 411 was a case which was rem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed by the High Court for assessment of the age of the accused<br />
up<strong>on</strong> setting aside the c<strong>on</strong>victi<strong>on</strong> for lack of jurisdicti<strong>on</strong>. The Baktiar Hossain case (supra) was sent <strong>on</strong> rem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> where this<br />
Court gave specific directi<strong>on</strong> to examine the accused with a view to ascertaining his age <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> then, if he was found to be<br />
below 16, to be tried by the Juvenile Court, otherwise to be tried by the Special Tribunal. In the more recent case of<br />
Bangladesh Legal Aid <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Services Trust vs Bangladesh <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> others, 57 DLR 11 it was noted that children are entitled to be<br />
tried by the Juvenile Court <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> not to be tried jointly with adults. There is <strong>on</strong>e other case, namely State vs Shukur Ali, 9 BLC<br />
239 where a different view was taken by a Divisi<strong>on</strong> Bench of this Court. In that case the trial was of an offence under Secti<strong>on</strong><br />
6(2) of the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan (Bishesh Bidhan) Ain, 1995. The accused for the first time, when before the appellate<br />
Court, claimed to have been below the age of 16 at the time of trial. Before the High Court Divisi<strong>on</strong> the argument was put<br />
forward that he ought to have been tried by the Juvenile Court. In support a number of decisi<strong>on</strong>s were cited namely, the<br />
Shiplu case cited above, Kawsarun Nessa <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> another vs. State, 48 DLR 196, Abdul Munem Chowdhury @ Momen vs.<br />
State, 47 DLR (AD) 96, Md. Shamim vs The State, 19 BLD 542 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Bangladesh Legal Aid <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Services Trust vs Bangladesh<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> others, 22 BLD 206. After c<strong>on</strong>sidering the above decisi<strong>on</strong>s, the Court distinguished all the cases apart from the case<br />
of Abdul Momen Chowdhury, which was taken to support the c<strong>on</strong>tenti<strong>on</strong> that a child cannot be tried by the Juvenile Court,<br />
since there is a bar under Secti<strong>on</strong> 3 of the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan (Bishesh Bidhan) Ain, 1995, which gives exclusive<br />
jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> to the Tribunal for hearing such cases. The H<strong>on</strong>’ble Judges distinguished the other cases, particularly cases<br />
triable by the Tribunal, since secti<strong>on</strong> 3 of the relevant enactment, which seemingly ousts the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of the other courts<br />
under other laws, was not brought to the notice of the Court. However, <strong>on</strong> close scrutiny of the decisi<strong>on</strong> we find that the case<br />
of Abdul Momen Chowdhury does not in fact support the c<strong>on</strong>tenti<strong>on</strong> that the case c<strong>on</strong>cerning a child cannot be tried by the<br />
Juvenile Court. On the questi<strong>on</strong> of challenge to jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the ground of age, we note that in the instant case the issue<br />
of age was raised at the earliest stage <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the learned Judge found the accused to be a minor.<br />
THE QUESTION OF JURISDICTION<br />
For our part we would c<strong>on</strong>sider the whole scenario <strong>on</strong> a different dimensi<strong>on</strong>. If <strong>on</strong>e looks at the scheme of criminal process<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> trial, it is seen that, first of all, the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong>al aspect with regard to the accused is to be ascertained <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> established.<br />
In other words, it must first be established that the accused pers<strong>on</strong> is <strong>on</strong>e who is within the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of the Court to be<br />
tried. As a matter of fact the very first questi<strong>on</strong> to be ascertained before proceeding with the trial is whether the accused has<br />
the capacity to be tried. This aspect is generally taken for granted <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> is so obvious as to defy c<strong>on</strong>templati<strong>on</strong>. In English<br />
Law it is irrebuttably presumed that a child under the age of 10 years is doli incapax, i.e. is incapable of committing a crime.<br />
[See s.50 Children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Young Pers<strong>on</strong>s Act 1933, as amended by s.16 of the Children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Young Pers<strong>on</strong>s Act 1963]. We<br />
have a similar provisi<strong>on</strong> in secti<strong>on</strong> 82 of the Penal Code, as amended by Act XXIV of 2004.<br />
144
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
"82. Nothing is an offence which is d<strong>on</strong>e by a child under [nine] years of age."<br />
Thus a child under 9 years of age, for example, although he may in comm<strong>on</strong> parlance ‘commit some crime or other’ would<br />
not be prosecuted as he is doli incapax, i.e. incapable of committing crime. A child above 9 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> below 14 years of age who<br />
has not attained sufficient maturity of underst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing to judge of the nature <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>sequence of his c<strong>on</strong>duct <strong>on</strong> that occasi<strong>on</strong><br />
would also be exempt from criminal liability [s.83 Penal Code]. The same applies to the mentally disabled. No Court can<br />
assume jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over any such pers<strong>on</strong> as they do not have the capacity to commit any crime. When the accused is<br />
arraigned he may be found unfit to st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> trial, in which case he will be removed to the mental hospital <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Court has no<br />
discreti<strong>on</strong> in the matter. Thus, although the Court has jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over the offence, it cannot assume jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over the<br />
accused until he is found fit to plead.<br />
We may look at another instance where the Court is restricted from assuming jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> even though a crime may have<br />
been committed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> due process of law will dem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> prosecuti<strong>on</strong>. When a pers<strong>on</strong> commits an offence, which would<br />
otherwise be triable by a Special Judge under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1957, the said Judge will not have<br />
jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> to try him unless the accused is himself a public servant or is being tried al<strong>on</strong>g with a public servant. It is all too<br />
easy to overlook the fact that the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of a Court over the accused pers<strong>on</strong> has to be first established before the<br />
criminal process is set in moti<strong>on</strong>. Thus, although the Special Judge has the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> to try a case where, for example, an<br />
offence under the Preventi<strong>on</strong> of Corrupti<strong>on</strong> Act, 1947 is alleged, he cannot try an accused who is not a public servant or<br />
where a public servant is not being tried at the same trial.<br />
Hence jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over the pers<strong>on</strong> is a prec<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong> to the case proceeding to trial by any Court or Tribunal. Once it is<br />
established that a Court has jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over the accused then <strong>on</strong>ly the Court will go <strong>on</strong> to see whether it has jurisdicti<strong>on</strong><br />
over the offence alleged. Thereafter, the Court will proceed with the trial, if appropriate, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> then c<strong>on</strong>clude by passing<br />
judgment. C<strong>on</strong>versely, we are faced with the moot questi<strong>on</strong> in this case as to whether the Children Act, 1974 takes away<br />
from the Courts/Tribunals, other than the Juvenile Court, the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over children, as defined in that Act, i.e. whether<br />
jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over neglected/delinquent children is to be exercised exclusively by the Juvenile Court.<br />
After hearing learned Counsel <strong>on</strong> the applicability of the Children Act, 1974 in respect of trial of juveniles or youthful<br />
offenders, we feel the need to explore its relevance <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> precedence or otherwise vis-à-vis other laws of the l<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
DEFINITION OF CHILD<br />
A child is defined in secti<strong>on</strong> 2(f) of the Act as a pers<strong>on</strong> under the age of 16 years. Secti<strong>on</strong> 2(n) defines "youthful offender"<br />
as a child who has been found to have committed an offence. We shall see later that many internati<strong>on</strong>al instruments <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
laws of some other countries define a child to be a pers<strong>on</strong> under the age of 18 years. It may be noted that in neighbouring<br />
India the Juvenile Justice Act 1986 defined ‘juvenile’ as under 16 years of age in case of a male <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> under 18 years in case<br />
of a female. Uniformity was brought to prevail by the Juvenile Justice (Care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Protecti<strong>on</strong> of Children) Act 2000 where<br />
‘juvenile’ is defined as any pers<strong>on</strong> under 18 years of age. The c<strong>on</strong>cept of Juvenile justice has developed over the last 150<br />
years or more <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> essentially follows the noti<strong>on</strong> that a pers<strong>on</strong> of tender years does not have full c<strong>on</strong>trol over his impetuous<br />
acti<strong>on</strong>s nor the mental maturity to realise the c<strong>on</strong>sequences of his c<strong>on</strong>duct. To put it simply, they do not think in the same<br />
way as an adult <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> are more susceptible to act impulsively without c<strong>on</strong>sidering the severity of the act or the likely end<br />
result.<br />
WHY SPECIAL LAW FOR CHILDREN?<br />
Referring, inter alia, to the (Indian) Children Act, 1960, Krishna Iyer, J. in the case of Hiralal Mallik v. the State of Bihar,<br />
1977 (4) SCC 44, observed as follows:<br />
C<strong>on</strong>ceptually, the establishment of a welfare-oriented jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over juveniles is predicated <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> over-judicialisati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
over-form alisati<strong>on</strong> of court proceedings is c<strong>on</strong>tra-indicated. Correcti<strong>on</strong>ally speaking the percepti<strong>on</strong> of delinquency as<br />
145
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
indicative of the pers<strong>on</strong>'s underlying difficulties, inner tensi<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> explosive stresses similar to those of maladjusted<br />
children, the belief that court atmosphere with forensic robes, gowns <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> uniforms <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>tentious disputes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> frowning<br />
paraphernalia like docks <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> crowds <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other criminals marched in <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> out, are physically traumatic <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> socially<br />
stigmatic, argues in favour of more informal treatment by a free mix of professi<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> social workers <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> experts operating<br />
within the framework of the law. There is a case to move away from the traditi<strong>on</strong>al punitive strategies in favour of the<br />
nourishing needs of juveniles being supplied by means of treatment oriented perspective. This radicalisati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
humanisati<strong>on</strong> of juveniles has resulted in legislative projects which jettis<strong>on</strong> procedural rigours <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> implant informal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
flexible measure of freely negotiated n<strong>on</strong>-judicial settlement of cases.<br />
With respect we agree. Let our children see not the rigours of our system but the compassi<strong>on</strong> of our treatment of their<br />
indiscreti<strong>on</strong>. Here we aptly quote from famous poem "Little Things" composed by Julia A.F. Canbey<br />
"………………<br />
Little deeds of Kindness,<br />
Little words of love,<br />
Help to make the earth happy,<br />
Like the Heaven above."<br />
BACKGROUND TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUVENILE OR YOUTH-FRIENDLY<br />
LEGISLATION.<br />
In order to appreciate the present law <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> how it should be enforced, it is necessary to look to the background history<br />
suffered by the children/youth community.<br />
Up to the mid-19th century children were treated as a smaller, albeit weaker, versi<strong>on</strong> of their adult counterparts. They worked<br />
in the factories <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> foundries <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> were made to labour more than their physiques would allow <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in horrendous c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
This happened as much in the West as in the East. Such tales are <strong>on</strong>ly too well illustrated in the writings of eminent novelists<br />
such as Charles Dickens (b.1812), who himself suffered the life of an impoverished child in the poor part of L<strong>on</strong>d<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> had<br />
to work as a child without the benefits of an educati<strong>on</strong> until he came into some funds by way of a legacy <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> again took up<br />
studies. It was at this juncture in our not too distant history that feelings for children were kindled <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> attitudes changed.<br />
Regarding child labour, Dr. Stephen S. Wise, a Rabbi of the Free Synagogue, New York wrote in March, 1910 in an article<br />
entitled "Justice to the Child" in very poignant language thus,<br />
"Seeing that "The Cry of the Children" [a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning published in 1843 telling the tale of children<br />
working in the mines (added by me)] "has not been heard, it is meet that we here cry out, <strong>on</strong> behalf of children, in<br />
protest against the inequity of the enslavement of the child, which, if anything, is even more unjust <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> iniquitous than<br />
the enslavement of man."<br />
He went <strong>on</strong> to urge that the rights of childhood should be regarded as sacred <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> inviolable, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> included in those rights is<br />
the right not to be forced to labour.<br />
At about the same time the Court system was geared up to cater for the rights of the child vis-à-vis the justice system. Prior<br />
to that the <strong>on</strong>e instance where the Court of Chancery in Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> interfered with the rights of the child was where the activities<br />
of the parents/guardian would jeopardise the rights of the child, for example where the father’s squ<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ering activities would<br />
fritter away the child’s estate. In the 1790 case of Creuze vs. Hunter, 2 Bro., C.C., 449 Lord Thurlow, L.C. was of the opini<strong>on</strong><br />
that "the court had arms l<strong>on</strong>g enough ….to prevent a parent from prejudicing the health or future prospects of the child…"<br />
Thus the Court of Chancery gave itself power to protect the child against parents/guardians with immoral <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> profligate<br />
habits. Essentially the court took interest in protecting the property of the child. This was taken a step further in 1828, even<br />
146
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
though no property rights was in issue, when Lord Eld<strong>on</strong>, L.C. propounded the broad propositi<strong>on</strong> that the crown is the<br />
ultimate parent of the child, the king, as parens patriae, through the chancellor, will step in <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> protect the child by removing<br />
it from the envir<strong>on</strong>ment that must make for its undoing. [See Wellesley vs. Wellesley, 2 Russ., 1; 2 Bligh N.S., 124] Thus<br />
developed the protecti<strong>on</strong> of the right of the child’s property <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>cern for his wellbeing.<br />
Special courts h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ling problems of delinquent, neglected, or abused children were set up subsequently, viz. Juvenile<br />
Courts. These courts processed both civil matters, often c<strong>on</strong>cerning care of an ab<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>on</strong>ed or impoverished child, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
criminal matters, arising from antisocial behaviour by the child. Most statutes provide that all pers<strong>on</strong>s under a given age<br />
(often 18 years) must first be processed by the juvenile court, which can then, at its discreti<strong>on</strong>, assign the case to an ordinary<br />
court.<br />
Before the creati<strong>on</strong> of the first juvenile court, in Chicago in 1899, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the subsequent creati<strong>on</strong> of other such courts in the<br />
United States <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other countries (e.g., Canada in 1908; Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in 1908; France in 1912; Russia in 1918; Pol<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in 1919;<br />
Japan in 1922; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Germany in 1923), juveniles were tried in the same courts as adults.<br />
REASONS FOR SEPARATE HANDLING OF CHILDREN:<br />
Bernard Flexner writing almost a century ago <strong>on</strong> the Legal Aspects of the Juvenile Court [Annals of the American Academy<br />
of Political <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Social Science, Vol.36, No.1, Administrati<strong>on</strong> of Justice in the United States. (Jul., 1910), pp. 49-56] poses<br />
a questi<strong>on</strong>, as would a lawyer, as to why the child who is accused of a crime should be treated differently from an adult,<br />
since both have violated the law, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> they must be punished. On the other h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, he points out, a distincti<strong>on</strong> already existed<br />
at comm<strong>on</strong> law as a child below the age of seven did not reach the age of criminal resp<strong>on</strong>sibility <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> would not be liable for<br />
his criminal acts. Of course, since then the comm<strong>on</strong> law has developed c<strong>on</strong>siderably. Cross <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> J<strong>on</strong>es in ‘An Introducti<strong>on</strong><br />
to Criminal Law’ state: "It is c<strong>on</strong>clusively presumed that no child under the age of ten can be guilty of an offence; a child of<br />
ten years or over, but under the age of fourteen, is presumed to be incapable of committing a crime, but this presumpti<strong>on</strong><br />
may be rebutted by evidence of ‘mischievous discreti<strong>on</strong>’ i.e. knowledge that what was d<strong>on</strong>e was morally wr<strong>on</strong>g". R. v. Owen,<br />
(1830) 4 C & P 236. [This presumpti<strong>on</strong> was, however, abolished by secti<strong>on</strong> 34 of the Crime <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Disorder Act 1998.]<br />
Then referring to the Illinois legislati<strong>on</strong> of 1898 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 1899, which led to the establishment of the Juvenile Court in Chicago,<br />
the first in the United States, Flexner stated that it raised the age limit <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> said that a child of 16 or 17, or under for violati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
of law, shall not be deemed a criminal. However the court would apply the same procedure to a delinquent as it would to<br />
the neglected child.<br />
The dominant feature of the legislati<strong>on</strong> regarding proceeding against the delinquent child is that it is meant for the protecti<strong>on</strong><br />
of the child. The State or the Crown, as the case may be, st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>s in loco parentis <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> through the ‘court’ ensures that the<br />
unlawful activity of the child does not go unpunished <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> at the same time that the child is not exposed to the rigours of the<br />
criminal justice system with all its awe-inspiring paraphernalia <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the stigma of criminality at the c<strong>on</strong>clusi<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
proceedings leading to a finding of guilt. Many have advocated that up<strong>on</strong> reaching the c<strong>on</strong>clusi<strong>on</strong> that the child has violated<br />
the law, he is not to be br<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed a "delinquent child" or a "wayward child" or a "juvenile delinquent", but it should be merely<br />
adjudged that the child is in need of care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> protecti<strong>on</strong> of the State.<br />
MODERN WAYS OF DEALING WITH THE MATTERS CONCERNING CHILDREN:<br />
A more pragmatic <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> equally important reas<strong>on</strong> for separate h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ling of child delinquents is the need for their physical<br />
seclusi<strong>on</strong> from adult offenders. It is an undeniable fact that the mind of the child is immature, impressi<strong>on</strong>able <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> malleable.<br />
If kept in associati<strong>on</strong> with bad company, it is likely to learn the wr<strong>on</strong>g things; in associati<strong>on</strong> with criminals, it is likely to pick<br />
up the trade of the criminals <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> improve up<strong>on</strong> the methodology with his young <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> fertile mind. Hence the modern way of<br />
thinking <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> emphasis is <strong>on</strong> ensuring that young offenders are at all times kept separate from the adult offenders from the<br />
time of their apprehensi<strong>on</strong>, during the trial <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> during c<strong>on</strong>finement. This can be gleaned from the commentary to Rule 13.5<br />
of the Beijing Rules (discussed later) which points out that ‘the danger to juveniles of "criminalc<strong>on</strong>taminati<strong>on</strong>" while in<br />
147
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
detenti<strong>on</strong> pending trial must not be underestimated.’ This reflects what was earlier stated in the Internati<strong>on</strong>al Covenant <strong>on</strong><br />
Civil <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Political Rights (ICCPR) 1966<br />
"Art 2.(a) Accused pers<strong>on</strong>s shall, save in excepti<strong>on</strong>al circumstances, be segregated from c<strong>on</strong>victed pers<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> shall<br />
be subject to separate treatment appropriate to their status as unc<strong>on</strong>victed pers<strong>on</strong>s;<br />
(b) Accused juvenile pers<strong>on</strong>s shall be separated from adults <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> brought as speedily as possible for adjudicati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
3. The penitentiary system shall comprise treatment of pris<strong>on</strong>ers the essential aim of which shall be their reformati<strong>on</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> social rehabilitati<strong>on</strong>. Juvenile offenders shall be segregated from adults <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> be accorded treatment appropriate to<br />
their age <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> legal status."<br />
From the beginning of the 20th-century many Internati<strong>on</strong>al Declarati<strong>on</strong>s, Covenants <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Instruments, including those<br />
already referred to above, have been drawn up under the auspices of such bodies as the United Nati<strong>on</strong>s. The C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child (also referred to as ‘UN<strong>CRC</strong>’ or ‘<strong>CRC</strong>’) was adopted <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> opened for signature, ratificati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
accessi<strong>on</strong> by General Assembly resoluti<strong>on</strong> 44/25 of 20 November 1989. Some of the c<strong>on</strong>tents of that C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> may be<br />
fruitfully reproduced here in order to illustrate the modern trends in dealing with matters c<strong>on</strong>cerning the children of the world.<br />
The preamble states, inter alia:<br />
"Recalling that, in the Universal Declarati<strong>on</strong> of Human Rights, the United Nati<strong>on</strong>s has proclaimed that childhood is<br />
entitled to special care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> assistance,<br />
C<strong>on</strong>vinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the natural envir<strong>on</strong>ment for the growth <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> wellbeing<br />
of all its members <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protecti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> assistance so that it<br />
can fully assume its resp<strong>on</strong>sibilities within the community,"<br />
Thus it appears that children are now treated as a valuable asset of the society <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Nati<strong>on</strong> at large who are to be<br />
protected <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> nurtured, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rightly so since children are the future citizens of the country <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> will c<strong>on</strong>stitute the wealth <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
well-being of the State. The preamble goes <strong>on</strong> to reflect the basis of the present covenant, viz.<br />
"Bearing in mind that the need to extend particular care to the child has been stated in the Geneva Declarati<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
Rights of the Child of 1924 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in the Declarati<strong>on</strong> of the Rights of the Child adopted by the General Assembly <strong>on</strong> 20<br />
November 1959 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> recognized in the Universal Declarati<strong>on</strong> of Human Rights, in the Internati<strong>on</strong>al Covenant <strong>on</strong> Civil <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Political Rights (in particular in articles 23 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 24), in the Internati<strong>on</strong>al Covenant <strong>on</strong> Ec<strong>on</strong>omic, Social <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Cultural Rights<br />
(in particular in article 10) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in the statutes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> relevant instruments of specialized agencies <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
organizati<strong>on</strong>s c<strong>on</strong>cerned with the welfare of children,"<br />
The covenant also recognises, as we have noted earlier, that the child is particularly vulnerable <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> needs protecti<strong>on</strong>, viz.<br />
"Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the Declarati<strong>on</strong> of the Rights of the Child, "the child, by reas<strong>on</strong> of his physical <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
mental immaturity, needs special safeguards <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> care, including appropriate legal protecti<strong>on</strong>, before as well as after<br />
birth"<br />
The preamble also recognises the special needs of the children of the world who are growing up in hostile <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> unfriendly<br />
surroundings, viz.<br />
"Recognizing that, in all countries in the world, there are children living in excepti<strong>on</strong>ally difficult c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that such<br />
children need special c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>,"<br />
This last recogniti<strong>on</strong> leads us back to the c<strong>on</strong>cept that the plight of the children who face difficulties within the family<br />
community is not a creati<strong>on</strong> of their own, but a creati<strong>on</strong> of the community of which the children are mere victims, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> hence,<br />
they need protecti<strong>on</strong>. They are the victims of the circumstances created by the lack of adequate care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> failure to provide<br />
a c<strong>on</strong>genial atmosphere for the proper upbringing of the child.<br />
148
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
In relati<strong>on</strong> to juvenile delinquency the above-menti<strong>on</strong>ed covenant may be read in c<strong>on</strong>juncti<strong>on</strong> with the United Nati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
St<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard Minimum Rules for the Administrati<strong>on</strong> of Juvenile Justice ("The Beijing Rules") [Adopted by General<br />
Assembly resoluti<strong>on</strong> 40/33of 29 November 1985] which states, inter alia:<br />
"1.4 Juvenile justice shall be c<strong>on</strong>ceived as an integral part of the nati<strong>on</strong>al development process of each country, within<br />
a comprehensive framework of social justice for all juveniles, thus, at the same time, c<strong>on</strong>tributing to the protecti<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
young <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the maintenance of a peaceful order in society."<br />
The Rules emphasise that the proceedings should result in the wellbeing of the juvenile <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that the resp<strong>on</strong>se/reacti<strong>on</strong> to<br />
youthful offenders should be based <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> not <strong>on</strong>ly of the gravity of the offence but also of pers<strong>on</strong>al<br />
circumstances. The individual circumstances of the offender (for example social status, family situati<strong>on</strong>, the harm caused by<br />
the offence or other factors affecting pers<strong>on</strong>al circumstances) should influence the proporti<strong>on</strong>ality of the reacti<strong>on</strong>s. Rule 16.1<br />
lays down that in all cases except those involving minor offences, before the competent authority renders a final dispositi<strong>on</strong><br />
prior to sentencing, the background <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> circumstances in which the juvenile is living or the c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s under which the<br />
offence has been committed shall be properly investigated so as to facilitate judicious adjudicati<strong>on</strong> of the case by the<br />
competent authority.<br />
The overall aim is therefore not to punish the offender, but to seek out the root of the problem, in other words, not treating<br />
the delinquents as criminals, but treating the cause of their criminality <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> directing them <strong>on</strong> a path which will be acceptable<br />
to mainstream society in order to ensure their rehabilitati<strong>on</strong>. More so in our case, since our penal policy is basically<br />
reformative <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> not retributive.<br />
We may also refer to the relatively more recent document <strong>on</strong> the subject: United Nati<strong>on</strong>s Guidelines for the Preventi<strong>on</strong> of<br />
Juvenile Delinquency ("The Riyadh Guidelines") adopted <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> proclaimed by General Assembly resoluti<strong>on</strong> 45/112 of 14<br />
December 1990. The guidelines are aimed at preventing crime by preventing juvenile delinquency by engaging juveniles in<br />
activities which will steer them away from criminal activities. The Guidelines recognise that the adolescent years are to be<br />
used for moulding the character of the youth <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that ‘youthful behaviour or c<strong>on</strong>duct that does not c<strong>on</strong>form to overall social<br />
norms <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> values is often part of the maturati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> growth process <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> tends to disappear sp<strong>on</strong>taneously in most<br />
individuals with the transiti<strong>on</strong> to adulthood.’ The emphasis is to urge society to provide facilities for the youth so that their<br />
propensity towards deviant behaviour <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the opportunity to commit delinquent acts is reduced. Thus the community is<br />
loaded with the resp<strong>on</strong>sibility of providing positive, proactive programmes to keep the youth occupied <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> kept <strong>on</strong> the path<br />
perceived to be correct by society <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> also to bring those who have deviated back to the acceptable path by ensuring proper<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> socialisati<strong>on</strong>, i.e. reformati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rehabilitati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The fact that the emphasis is <strong>on</strong> the community to provide all the necessary facilities for the youth is further exemplified by<br />
the Guidelines for Acti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Children in the Criminal Justice System Recommended by Ec<strong>on</strong>omic <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Social<br />
Council resoluti<strong>on</strong> 1997/30 of 21 July 1997, this provides, inter alia, as follows:<br />
"24. All pers<strong>on</strong>s having c<strong>on</strong>tact with, or being resp<strong>on</strong>sible for, children in the criminal justice system should receive<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> training in human rights, the principles <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other United Nati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ards <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> norms in juvenile justice as an integral part of their training programmes. Such pers<strong>on</strong>s include police <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
other law enforcement officials; judges <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> magistrates, prosecutors, lawyers <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> administrators; pris<strong>on</strong> officers <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
other professi<strong>on</strong>als working in instituti<strong>on</strong>s where children are deprived of their liberty; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> health pers<strong>on</strong>nel, social<br />
workers, peacekeepers <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other professi<strong>on</strong>als c<strong>on</strong>cerned with juvenile justice."<br />
Thus the thrust of the Internati<strong>on</strong>al Declarati<strong>on</strong>s, Rules, Covenants <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other instruments is towards reformati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> of youthful offenders <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> for establishment of facilities for proper educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> upbringing of youths so that<br />
they are prevented from coming into c<strong>on</strong>flict with the law. In the event that a child or juvenile does come into c<strong>on</strong>flict with<br />
the law, then the aim is to provide a system of justice which is ‘child-friendly’ <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> which does not leave any psychological<br />
scar or stigma <strong>on</strong> the child, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>trary, prepares him for a fruitful future.<br />
149
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
THE CHILDREN ACT, 1974 (BANGLADESH’S CONTRIBUTION)<br />
The aims <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> goals thus spelled out led to the multitude of nati<strong>on</strong>s enacting laws incorporating the recommendati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
embodiments of the internati<strong>on</strong>al instruments. Let us examine the background to the enactment of our Children Act, 1974<br />
in order to see its applicability in the criminal justice delivery system in our country.<br />
The first introducti<strong>on</strong> of law in our parts referring to trial of youthful offenders was in the Bengal Children Act, 1922, which<br />
was localised to Kolkata <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> its suburbs as well as the Port of Kolkata <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Howrah. There was also provisi<strong>on</strong> to extend it<br />
to other parts of Bengal. Later by amendment, secti<strong>on</strong> 29B was added by the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act,<br />
1923 (XVIII of 1923). Previous to that <strong>on</strong>ly c<strong>on</strong>finement of youthful offenders was dealt with by the Reformatory Schools Act<br />
1897.<br />
Secti<strong>on</strong> 29B of the Code provides as follows:<br />
"29B. Any offence, other than <strong>on</strong>e punishable with death or transportati<strong>on</strong> for life, committed by any pers<strong>on</strong> who at the<br />
date when he appears or is brought before the Court is under the age of fifteen years, may be tried by a District<br />
Magistrate or the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, or by any Magistrate specially empowered by the Government to<br />
exercise the powers c<strong>on</strong>ferred by or under any law providing for the custody, trial or punishment of youthful offenders,<br />
by any Magistrate empowered by or under such law to exercise all or any of the powers c<strong>on</strong>ferred thereby."<br />
We are not aware that any special court was set up to hear matters relating to youthful offenders specifically either under<br />
the Bengal Children Act or the Code of Criminal Procedure. Both those provisi<strong>on</strong>s were repealed/abolished by the Children<br />
Act, 1974.<br />
LEGISLATION IN EXERCISE OF CONSTITUTIONAL POWER<br />
We believe that the Children Act 1974 was promulgated as a direct manifestati<strong>on</strong> of Article 28(4) of the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>, which<br />
has been placed in the Part III – under the title "Fundamental Rights", <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> at the same time in resp<strong>on</strong>se to, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> with a<br />
view to fulfilling the m<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ate of, the relevant internati<strong>on</strong>al instruments of the UN menti<strong>on</strong>ed above. Article 28(4) of the<br />
C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> provides as follows:<br />
"Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making special provisi<strong>on</strong> in favour of women or children or for the<br />
advancement of any backward secti<strong>on</strong> of citizens."<br />
Thus the framers of the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> have given the power even to promulgate discriminatory laws favouring the womenfolk<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children. Hence it can be said that the Act is a beneficent legislati<strong>on</strong> purposely enacted to give beneficial effects to a<br />
particular community of women <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong>ce enacted the rights which accrue cannot be frittered away by<br />
subsequent enactment.<br />
The Act incorporates provisi<strong>on</strong>s of internati<strong>on</strong>al covenants in order to safeguard the juvenile from exposure to the rigours of<br />
Court process <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the stigma of trial <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>victi<strong>on</strong>. Hence the requirement for separate trial from adults has been<br />
incorporated in secti<strong>on</strong> 6 of the Act. It may be noted that secti<strong>on</strong> 6(2) of the Act emphatically gives this provisi<strong>on</strong> precedence<br />
over all other provisi<strong>on</strong>s of any laws which may dictate joint trials, including secti<strong>on</strong> 239 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.<br />
In this regard comparis<strong>on</strong> may be made with the system prevalent in Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>. It appears that in case of serious offences<br />
triable by the Crown Court, there is a discreti<strong>on</strong> given to the Juvenile Court whether or not to allow the juvenile to be tried<br />
with the adult <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>/or for the trial to take place in the Crown Court. With all due respect, such a provisi<strong>on</strong> effectively waters<br />
down the rights given to the juvenile to be ‘protected’ from the terrorizing harshness of the criminal justice system <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> is<br />
c<strong>on</strong>trary to the spirit of the internati<strong>on</strong>al instruments, menti<strong>on</strong>ed above, which enjoin segregati<strong>on</strong> from adult offenders. We<br />
note that our legislature has catered for cases of youthful offenders involved in serious crimes by enacting secti<strong>on</strong> 5(3) of<br />
the Act, which provides as follows:<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
"When it appears to a Juvenile Court or a Court empowered under secti<strong>on</strong> 4, such Court being subordinate to the Court<br />
of Sessi<strong>on</strong>, that the offence with which a child is charged is triable exclusively by the Court of Sessi<strong>on</strong>, it shall<br />
immediately transfer the case to the Court of Sessi<strong>on</strong> for trial in accordance with the procedure laid down in this Act."<br />
Thus even when it is m<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ated by law for the trial to be c<strong>on</strong>ducted by a Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge, the proceedings must take place<br />
in accordance with the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the Act. In other words, the juvenile will get the benefit of all the rights to which he would<br />
be entitled had the proceedings taken place in the Juvenile Court. That, we believe, follows the spirit <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> intendment of the<br />
internati<strong>on</strong>al instruments which crave for the well-being of the youthful offender <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> enjoin segregati<strong>on</strong> of youths from adults<br />
at all stages from apprehensi<strong>on</strong> to incarcerati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The aspect of segregati<strong>on</strong> is highlighted further by secti<strong>on</strong> 7(2) of the Act, which provides as follows:<br />
"In the trial of the case in which a child is charged with an offence a Court shall, as far as may be practicable, sit in a<br />
building or room different from that in which the ordinary sittings of the Court are held, or <strong>on</strong> different days or at different<br />
times from those at which the ordinary sitting of the Court are held."<br />
This is emphasised further by the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of secti<strong>on</strong> 8 (1) of the Act, which provides:<br />
"When a child is accused al<strong>on</strong>g with an adult all having committed an offence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> it appears to the Court taking<br />
cognisance of the offence that the case is a fit <strong>on</strong>e for committal to the Court of Sessi<strong>on</strong>, such Court shall, after<br />
separating the case in respect of the child from that in respect of the adult, direct that the adult al<strong>on</strong>e be committed to<br />
the Court of Sessi<strong>on</strong> for trial."<br />
Thus under our laws there is no chance of joint trials of a youthful offender <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> an adult. No matter what offence is alleged,<br />
irrespective of the seriousness of the act, a juvenile is to be tried separately from adults <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in accordance with provisi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
of the Act. If the case is triable by the Court of Sessi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong>ly, then the case of the juvenile is to be dealt with under secti<strong>on</strong><br />
5(3) of the<br />
Act. Our courts have strictly interpreted this provisi<strong>on</strong> in a number of cases, including the State vs Deputy Commissi<strong>on</strong>er,<br />
Satkhira, 45 DLR 643.<br />
It may be pointed out at this juncture that there is no provisi<strong>on</strong> equivalent to secti<strong>on</strong> 5(3) that serious offences under any<br />
special laws, such as the Arms Act, 1878 or the Special Powers Act, 1974, both of which predate the Children Act, or Nario-Shishu<br />
Nirjatan (Bishesh Bidhan) Ain, 1995 etc. are to be tried by the appropriate Tribunal in accordance with provisi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
of Children Act. Until such incorporati<strong>on</strong> juveniles charged with offences falling under special law will have to be dealt with<br />
by the Juvenile Court in accordance with provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the Children Act, which, in our view, is of universal applicati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
approach, irrespective of the offence alleged, as illustrated by the observati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> references made above.<br />
In the case before us, the learned Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge sent the case for trial by the learned Additi<strong>on</strong>al Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge, First<br />
Court <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal, Jhenaidah. This clearly defeated the purpose of the trouble taken by him<br />
to ascertain the age of the accused under the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of secti<strong>on</strong> 66(1) of the Act. It further appears that at the time of<br />
framing the charge, the learned judge, in a feint <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> half-hearted way proclaimed himself as the Juvenile Court <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> framed<br />
charge against the accused under secti<strong>on</strong> 6(2) of the Ain. This is clearly a patent c<strong>on</strong>tradicti<strong>on</strong> in terms. Moreover, there is<br />
nothing <strong>on</strong> record to show that all the formalities of a juvenile trial were followed. On the c<strong>on</strong>trary, the offender has all al<strong>on</strong>g<br />
been described as an ‘accused’ which is not a term found in the Act. Moreover, the sentence passed clearly shows that the<br />
learned judge lost sight of the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the Act. We also do not know whether the other aspects of informality of the<br />
proceedings before a Juvenile Court, i.e. lax procedures <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> absence of publicity <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> members of public apart from<br />
parents/guardian of juvenile <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> his representative, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> even the dispensati<strong>on</strong> with attendance of the child which are<br />
provided by the various provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the Act, were followed during the trial.<br />
It appears from the order dated 22.1.2001 passed by the Judge, Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal that the learned<br />
Judge followed the procedure laid down under secti<strong>on</strong> 66 of the Act <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ascertained the age of the accused after due<br />
process <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in accordance with the law. Secti<strong>on</strong> 66(1) of the Act provides as follows:<br />
151
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
"66. Presumpti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> determinati<strong>on</strong> of age.-(1) Whenever a pers<strong>on</strong> whether charged with an offence or not, is brought<br />
before any criminal Court otherwise than for the purpose of giving evidence, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> it appears to the Court that he is a child,<br />
the Court shall make an inquiry as to the age of that pers<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, for that purpose, shall take such evidence as may be<br />
forthcoming at the hearing of the case, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> shall record a finding there<strong>on</strong>, stating his age as nearly as may be."<br />
This secti<strong>on</strong> is, therefore the first <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> foremost procedural c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> when any criminal court is faced with a pers<strong>on</strong><br />
brought before it, who appears to the Court to be a child. It comes even before the c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> of any offence, whether<br />
charged or not. In our view the m<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ate of the secti<strong>on</strong> is indicative of the need to establish jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of the Court over the<br />
accused even before he is charged with any offence. It has been held in the M<strong>on</strong>ir Hossain case (supra) referring to the<br />
Indian case of Sheela Barse <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> another vs The Uni<strong>on</strong> of India, AIR (1986) SC 1773 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> also the case of Baktiar<br />
Hossain (supra) that when an accused claims to be below 16 years of age a duty is cast up<strong>on</strong> the Court to direct an enquiry<br />
to satisfy itself as to whether the accused is a child below 16 years of age <strong>on</strong> the day of framing charges against him. After<br />
ascertaining age, which Court?<br />
The case of Baktiar Hossain (supra) alleged an offence under secti<strong>on</strong> 19(a) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> (f) Arms Act, which is included in the<br />
Schedule to the Special Powers Act, 1974 [Act XIX of 1974], which came into force <strong>on</strong> 9th February, 1974, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> would be<br />
exclusively triable by the Special Tribunal. In that case the High Court hearing the matter up<strong>on</strong> a revisi<strong>on</strong>al applicati<strong>on</strong>, sent<br />
the case <strong>on</strong> rem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> directing that the age be determined <strong>on</strong> the basis of secti<strong>on</strong> 66 (1) of the Act <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to,<br />
‘send the accused petiti<strong>on</strong>er to the Juvenile Court if he is found below 16 at the time of framing of the charge. If he is<br />
found to be 16 years of age the trial Court will proceed with Special Tribunal Case No.12/93 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> dispose it of<br />
accordingly.’ Per K.M. Hasan,J. (as he then was).’<br />
In the later case of M<strong>on</strong>ir Hossain, cited above, the offence alleged was <strong>on</strong>e under secti<strong>on</strong> 6(1) Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan<br />
(Bishesh Bidhan) Ain, 1995. The High Court Divisi<strong>on</strong> heard the matter <strong>on</strong> appeal after the accused was c<strong>on</strong>victed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
sentenced to life impris<strong>on</strong>ment. After allowing the appeal the case was sent <strong>on</strong> rem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> up<strong>on</strong> referring to the cited cases,<br />
namely Bablu, 1981 BLD 454, Baktiar Hossain (supra) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Sheela Barse (supra), <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> observing as follows:<br />
"In all these cited decisi<strong>on</strong>s it has been held that when the questi<strong>on</strong> of age of the accused is claimed to be below 16<br />
years of age, a duty is cast up<strong>on</strong> the Court to direct an enquiry to satisfy itself as to whether the accused is a child below<br />
16 years of age <strong>on</strong> the day of framing charges against him. If the Court <strong>on</strong> enquiry finds the accused to be a child, it<br />
loses the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> to try him in the usual manner. If, <strong>on</strong> the other h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, the appellant is found above 16 years of age<br />
<strong>on</strong> the day of framing of the charges, the Court or Tribunal will reject the objecti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> try the accused as usual."<br />
It is noted that both the cases involved offences triable by the Special Tribunal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> each of the enactments, namely the<br />
Special Powers Act <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan (Bishesh Bidhan) Ain, 1995, has a n<strong>on</strong>-obstante clause in s.26(1) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
s.3 respectively reserving jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> exclusively to the Special Tribunal <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal<br />
respectively, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> yet this Court directed that the case be heard by the Juvenile Court in the event that the accused is found<br />
to be below 16 years of age. The same principle was followed in the case of Md Shamim vs State, 19 BLD 542, which was<br />
a case under the Arms Act <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> had culminated in c<strong>on</strong>victi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sentence up<strong>on</strong> trial by the Special Tribunal. The High Court<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong>, having found the appellant to be a child, sent the case <strong>on</strong> rem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> for fresh trial by the Juvenile Court in accordance<br />
with the provisi<strong>on</strong> of the Children Act, 1974. The case of Shukur Ali, <strong>on</strong> the other h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> observed that secti<strong>on</strong> 3 of the Nario-Shishu<br />
Nirjatan Daman (Bishesh Bidhan) Ain ousted the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of any other Court. We would respectfully suggest that<br />
the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of the Tribunal was already taken away since the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over the offender was given to the Juvenile<br />
Court. It was first given away in secti<strong>on</strong> 29B of the Code of Criminal Procedure with the excepti<strong>on</strong> of offences punishable<br />
with death or [impris<strong>on</strong>ment] for life <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> then by the Children Act with the excepti<strong>on</strong> of offences exclusively triable by the<br />
Court of Sessi<strong>on</strong>s. When the Children Act came into force the Special Powers Act <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Arms Act, for example, were<br />
already in force. But the legislature did not exclude the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of the Juvenile Court in secti<strong>on</strong> 5(3), although the Special<br />
Power Act c<strong>on</strong>tains a n<strong>on</strong>-obstante clause in secti<strong>on</strong> 26.<br />
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Hence, we are of the view that since the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over the offences c<strong>on</strong>tained in the special laws are not specifically<br />
excluded by inclusi<strong>on</strong> in secti<strong>on</strong> 5(3) of the Children Act, jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over offences committed by youthful offenders will be<br />
exercised by the Juvenile Court. Had the legislature intended otherwise an amendment could easily have been incorporated<br />
in secti<strong>on</strong> 5(3) giving jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over offences under the special laws to the respective Tribunals set up under those laws.<br />
This not having been d<strong>on</strong>e, we are of the view that the Children Act, being a special law in respect of, inter alia, trial of<br />
youthful offenders, preserves the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over them in respect of all offences under any law, unless specifically excluded.<br />
In this regard support may also be taken from the Indian jurisdicti<strong>on</strong>. In the case of In re: Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge, Kalpetta, 1995<br />
Cri.L.J. 330 a juvenile below 15 years of age was charged under secti<strong>on</strong>s 450, 376 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 506(ii) of the (Indian) Penal Code<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> secti<strong>on</strong> 3(1)(xii) of the Scheduled Castes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Scheduled Tribes (Preventi<strong>on</strong> of Atrocities) Act, 1989. It appears from the<br />
decisi<strong>on</strong> that, "Secti<strong>on</strong> 20 of the 1989 Act states that save as otherwise provided in the Act, the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the Act shall<br />
have effect notwithst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing anything inc<strong>on</strong>sistent therewith c<strong>on</strong>tained in any other law for the time being in force…." The<br />
questi<strong>on</strong> posed <strong>on</strong> reference by the Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge to the High Court was whether this last noted provisi<strong>on</strong> would override<br />
the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the Juvenile Justice Act, 1986 which states that a juvenile as defined in the 1986 Act who has been brought<br />
before the Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Court can <strong>on</strong>ly be proceeded against by a Juvenile Court established under the 1986 Act. The Court<br />
after deliberati<strong>on</strong> reas<strong>on</strong>ed that the 1989 Act aims at giving protecti<strong>on</strong> to the Scheduled Caste <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Scheduled Tribe<br />
communities against whom atrocities are being committed. The Act was c<strong>on</strong>cerned with victims of the crimes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> not the<br />
offenders. In their lordships’ view the overriding power given by secti<strong>on</strong> 20 of the Act cannot be extended to nullify the<br />
provisi<strong>on</strong>s c<strong>on</strong>tained in the 1986 Act. Their lordships c<strong>on</strong>cluded, "… it can safely be c<strong>on</strong>cluded that Parliament totally<br />
excluded the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of ordinary courts in relati<strong>on</strong> to juvenile offenders. In other words, jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of all other courts<br />
established under law is ousted <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> it is solely c<strong>on</strong>ferred <strong>on</strong> Juvenile Courts in so far as juvenile offenders are c<strong>on</strong>cerned."<br />
It is our view that the same reas<strong>on</strong>ing would apply, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> our Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Ain would not override the<br />
provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the Children Act, 1974, so far as it relates to the prosecuti<strong>on</strong> of youthful offenders, since it encompasses the<br />
spirit of Article 28(4) of the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
RELEVANT DATE FOR THE APPLICATION OF THE ACT<br />
Although in the facts of the case before us it is not in issue whether or not the accused was a child/youthful offender within<br />
the definiti<strong>on</strong> of the Act in order to obtain the benefits thereof, it is a matter which has given rise to c<strong>on</strong>siderable litigati<strong>on</strong> in<br />
the past <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> still doubts are raised about the correctness of the interpretati<strong>on</strong> of our Courts. The definiti<strong>on</strong> secti<strong>on</strong> of the Act<br />
simply says a child is any pers<strong>on</strong> under the age of 16 years. It is not clarified whether he should be below 16 years of age<br />
at the time of commissi<strong>on</strong> of the offence or at the time of framing the charge or commencement of the trial.<br />
The Child Justice Bill (2002) of the Republic of South Africa clearly spells out the relevant date, viz<br />
"4. (1) Subject to subsecti<strong>on</strong>s (2) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> (3), this Act applies to-<br />
(a) any pers<strong>on</strong> in the Republic of South Africa, irrespective of nati<strong>on</strong>ality, country of origin or immigrati<strong>on</strong> status, who is<br />
alleged to have committed an offence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> who, at the time of the alleged commissi<strong>on</strong> of the offence, was under the age<br />
of 18 years;"<br />
The Child Law (1993) of the Uni<strong>on</strong> of Myanmar provides in Chapter X under Trial of Juvenile Cases:<br />
"41. The Juvenile Court:<br />
(b) have jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong>ly in respect of a child who has not attained the age of 16 years at the time of committing the<br />
offence;"<br />
On the other h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, The Children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Young Pers<strong>on</strong>s Act 1993 of Singapore provides:<br />
"Jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of Juvenile Court<br />
153
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
33. (6) A pers<strong>on</strong> who has attained the age of 16 years <strong>on</strong> the date of commencement of the hearing of the charge shall<br />
not be tried for any offence by a Juvenile Court, but where in the course of any trial before a Juvenile Court the child or<br />
young pers<strong>on</strong> to whom the trial relates attains the age of 16 years, nothing in this subsecti<strong>on</strong> shall prevent the Juvenile<br />
Court, if it thinks fit, from proceeding with the trial <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> dealing with the child or young pers<strong>on</strong> in accordance with the<br />
provisi<strong>on</strong>s of this Act."<br />
In view of the internati<strong>on</strong>al covenants, declarati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other instruments, we feel inclined to the view that the relevant date<br />
must be the date <strong>on</strong> which the offence is committed, otherwise the whole thrust of the law to protect those who are immature,<br />
impetuous, unwary, impressi<strong>on</strong>able, young, fickle-minded <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> who do not know the c<strong>on</strong>sequences of their act, would be<br />
lost. It is the mental capacity of the offender at the time of committing the offence which is of crucial importance. It was<br />
observed in the case of Pratap Singh v. State of Jharkh<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> another, 2005 (3) SCC 551 as follows:<br />
"Children Act was enacted to protect young children from the c<strong>on</strong>sequences of their criminal acts <strong>on</strong> the footing that their<br />
mind at that age could not be said to be mature for imputing mens rea as in the case of an adult. This being the<br />
intendment of the Act, a clear finding has to be recorded that the relevant date for applicability of the Act is the date <strong>on</strong><br />
which the offence takes place. It is quite possible that by the time the case comes up for trial, growing in age being an<br />
involuntary factor, the child may have ceased to be a child."<br />
Thus the Supreme Court of India settled the issue over-turning <strong>on</strong>e of their earlier decisi<strong>on</strong>s in the case of Arnit Das v. State<br />
of Bihar, 2000 (5) SCC 488. We may also add that the relevant laws of a vast majority of the countries looked at by us take<br />
the date of the offence to be the relevant date for applicability of the Act. In at least two decisi<strong>on</strong>s of our High Court Divisi<strong>on</strong>,<br />
Bablu (supra) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> State vs Deputy Commissi<strong>on</strong>er, Satkhira (supra), the relevant date has been taken to be the date of<br />
occurrence, which we believe, with respect, is the correct approach. On the other h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> there are many decisi<strong>on</strong>s of our<br />
superior courts holding the view that the relevant date is the date of framing charge or commencement of trial. In our humble<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> respectful view, this mis-interpretati<strong>on</strong> arose initially due to the inaptly applied wording of secti<strong>on</strong> 6(1) of the Act, which<br />
provides as follows:<br />
"6. No joint trial of child <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adult.-(1) Notwithst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing anything c<strong>on</strong>tained in secti<strong>on</strong> 239 of the Code or any other law<br />
for the time being in force, no child shall be charged with, or tried for any offence together with an adult."<br />
Dr. Malik submitted that this provisi<strong>on</strong> is c<strong>on</strong>cerned with the matter of separate trial for children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> does not lay down the<br />
point in time at which the age will be relevant for the purpose of determining whether the accused is a child. We are inclined<br />
to agree with this submissi<strong>on</strong>, particularly in view of the stance taken by the Indian Supreme Court, bearing in mind the<br />
similar provisi<strong>on</strong> which exists in the (Indian) Juvenile Justice (Care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Protecti<strong>on</strong> of Children) Act,<br />
2000:<br />
"18. No joint proceeding of juvenile <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> pers<strong>on</strong> not a juvenile.-(1) Notwithst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing anything c<strong>on</strong>tained in secti<strong>on</strong> 223<br />
of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) or in any other law for the time being in force, no juvenile shall be<br />
charged with or for any offence together with a pers<strong>on</strong> who is not a juvenile."<br />
We have noted earlier that the Indian Supreme Court has decided that the relevant date is the date of commissi<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
offence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> not the date of trial.<br />
The view taken by the courts in Australia can be gauged from the decisi<strong>on</strong> in Jas<strong>on</strong> Joseph Braun V R Eric Ebatarintja<br />
V R decided <strong>on</strong> 14 March 1997 by the Court of Criminal Appeal of The Northern Territory of Australia, (as reported in<br />
Australian- Northern Territory <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>) where it was deliberated as follows:<br />
"Is the Court's jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> affected if the accused has "attained the age of 17 years" by the time be appears before it<br />
charged with offences he committed before he attained the age of 17? That questi<strong>on</strong> was squarely posed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> answered<br />
by Muirhead J 11 years ago in Seears v Oldfield (1985) 36 NTR 65; his H<strong>on</strong>our said at 70: "Having c<strong>on</strong>sidered the matter<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the authorities, I am satisfied that the age of the pers<strong>on</strong> charged when he or she committed the alleged offence is<br />
the critical test of the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of the Juvenile Court".<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
The learned Judges went <strong>on</strong> to hold:<br />
"We accept for the purpose of these proceedings the approach to dealing with accused pers<strong>on</strong>s who have turned 17,<br />
first expressed by Muirhead J in relati<strong>on</strong> to the Juvenile Court in Seears v Oldfield (supra), <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> adopted as regards the<br />
Supreme Court in R v Williams (supra) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the other authorities menti<strong>on</strong>ed (p6)."<br />
We also bear in mind that the whole purpose of the Act may be defeated by the capricious dealings of the investigating<br />
agency, who may intenti<strong>on</strong>ally or whimsically delay the investigati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> thereby deprive the accused the benefits of the Act.<br />
It is the act of the youthful offender d<strong>on</strong>e in a moment of indiscreti<strong>on</strong> due to his lesser mental faculty that is being targeted<br />
by the Act. Therefore the relevant point in time at which to qualify for the benefits of the Act must be the time of the<br />
commissi<strong>on</strong> of the offence. We may refer to the reas<strong>on</strong>ing found in a decisi<strong>on</strong> of the US Supreme Court, "[a] lack of maturity<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> an underdeveloped sense of resp<strong>on</strong>sibility are found in youth more often than in adults <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> are more underst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>able<br />
am<strong>on</strong>g the young. These qualities often result in impetuous <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> ill c<strong>on</strong>sidered acti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> decisi<strong>on</strong>s." Johns<strong>on</strong> Johns<strong>on</strong> v.<br />
Texas, 509 U. S. 350, 359-362 (1993).<br />
In the light of our views above <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> bearing in mind the views already expressed by our Superior Courts, we would, with<br />
respect suggest that the ‘relevant date’ aspect for the purpose of jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of the Juvenile Court may be rethought <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
brought into line with the aims <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> purports of the children’s legislati<strong>on</strong> worldwide.<br />
THINKING AHEAD:<br />
So far as our Children Act, 1974 is c<strong>on</strong>cerned, it must be commended as a forward-thinking piece of legislati<strong>on</strong>, which<br />
encompasses much of the suggesti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> directives of the internati<strong>on</strong>al covenants <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other instruments discussed above.<br />
However, it is 32 years old <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> was enacted l<strong>on</strong>g before the UN<strong>CRC</strong> of 1989.<br />
In relati<strong>on</strong> to juveniles in c<strong>on</strong>flict with the law the UN<strong>CRC</strong> provides in Article 40 as follows:<br />
"Article 40<br />
1. States Parties recognize the right of every child alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal<br />
law to be treated in a manner c<strong>on</strong>sistent with the promoti<strong>on</strong> of the child's sense of dignity <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> worth, which reinforces<br />
the child's respect for the human rights <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> fundamental freedoms of others <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> which takes into account the child's<br />
age <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the desirability of promoting the child's reintegrati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the child's assuming a c<strong>on</strong>structive role in society.<br />
2. To this end, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> having regard to the relevant provisi<strong>on</strong>s of internati<strong>on</strong>al instruments, States Parties shall, in<br />
particular, ensure that:<br />
(a) No child shall be alleged as, be accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law by reas<strong>on</strong> of acts or<br />
omissi<strong>on</strong>s that were not prohibited by nati<strong>on</strong>al or internati<strong>on</strong>al law at the time they were committed;<br />
(b) Every child alleged as or accused of having infringed the penal law has at least the following guarantees:<br />
(i)<br />
To be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law;<br />
(ii) To be informed promptly <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> directly of the charges against him or her, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, if appropriate, through his or her<br />
parents or legal guardians, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to have legal or other appropriate assistance in the preparati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
presentati<strong>on</strong> of his or her defence;<br />
(iii) To have the matter determined without delay by a competent, independent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> impartial authority or judicial<br />
body in a fair hearing according to law, in the presence of legal or other appropriate assistance <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, unless<br />
it is c<strong>on</strong>sidered not to be in the best interest of the child, in particular, taking into account his or her age or<br />
situati<strong>on</strong>, his or her parents or legal guardians;<br />
155
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
(iv) Not to be compelled to give testim<strong>on</strong>y or to c<strong>on</strong>fess guilt; to examine or have examined adverse witnesses<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to obtain the participati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> examinati<strong>on</strong> of witnesses <strong>on</strong> his or her behalf under c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s of equality;<br />
(v) If c<strong>on</strong>sidered to have infringed the penal law, to have this decisi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> any measures imposed in<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sequence thereof reviewed by a higher competent, independent <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> impartial authority or judicial body<br />
according to law;<br />
(vi) To have the free assistance of an interpreter if the child cannot underst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> or speak the language used;<br />
(vii)To have his or her privacy fully respected at all stages of the proceedings.<br />
3. States Parties shall seek to promote the establishment of laws, procedures, authorities <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> instituti<strong>on</strong>s specifically<br />
applicable to children alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, in particular:<br />
(a) The establishment of a minimum age below which children shall be presumed not to have the capacity to infringe<br />
the penal law;<br />
(b) Whenever appropriate <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> desirable, measures for dealing with such children without resorting to judicial<br />
proceedings, providing that human rights <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> legal safeguards are fully respected.<br />
4. A variety of dispositi<strong>on</strong>s, such as care, guidance <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> supervisi<strong>on</strong> orders; counselling; probati<strong>on</strong>; foster care;<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vocati<strong>on</strong>al training programmes <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other alternatives to instituti<strong>on</strong>al care shall be available to ensure<br />
that children are dealt with in a manner appropriate to their well-being <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> proporti<strong>on</strong>ate both to their circumstances<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the offence.<br />
Bangladesh ratified the UN C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child in August of 1990. As a signatory to the c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong><br />
Bangladesh is duty bound to reflect the above Article as well as other articles of the <strong>CRC</strong> in our nati<strong>on</strong>al laws. We are of the<br />
view that the time is ripe for our legislature to enact laws in c<strong>on</strong>formity with the UN<strong>CRC</strong>. This would also give the opportunity<br />
to ir<strong>on</strong> out some of the difficulties faced so far in relati<strong>on</strong> to the date relevant for determining the age of the accused for the<br />
purpose of jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of the Juvenile Court <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> at the same time it may be spelt out that this legislati<strong>on</strong> will take precedence<br />
over all other laws when matters relating to children are in issue. We feel that if the goal of the legislati<strong>on</strong> is to protect<br />
children, who are our treasures <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> future generati<strong>on</strong>s, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to give them benefits which they would not otherwise get in a<br />
Court dealing with adult offenders, then they must get that benefit for whatever offence they may be alleged to have<br />
committed. The seriousness of their acti<strong>on</strong> may be reflected in the severity of the order passed by the Juvenile Court. But<br />
the child, in our view, must be dealt with by a Court geared to hear matters relating to children.<br />
We note that many countries have enacted new laws since UN<strong>CRC</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> many are in the process of doing so with the specific<br />
intenti<strong>on</strong> of enacting legislati<strong>on</strong> to incorporate the m<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ate of the N<strong>CRC</strong>. This is illustrated by the preamble to the Child<br />
Justice Bill 2002 of the Republic of South Africa states as follows:<br />
"BILL To establish a criminal justice process for those children accused of committing offences so as to protect the rights<br />
of children entrenched in the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> provided for in internati<strong>on</strong>al instruments; to provide for the minimum age<br />
of criminal capacity of such children; to incorporate diversi<strong>on</strong> of cases away from formal court procedure as a central<br />
feature of the process; to establish assessment of children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> a preliminary inquiry as compulsory procedures; to<br />
provide that children must be tried in child justice courts <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to extend the sentencing opti<strong>on</strong>s available in respect of<br />
children; to entrench the noti<strong>on</strong> of restorative justice in respect of children; <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to provide for matters incidental thereto."<br />
Although the Indian Government already had the Juvenile Justice Act 1986 in force, a new legislati<strong>on</strong> was passed after the<br />
UN<strong>CRC</strong>, viz. The Juvenile Justice (Care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Protecti<strong>on</strong> of Children) Act, 2000. The preamble to that Act reads as follows:<br />
"An Act to c<strong>on</strong>solidate <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> amend the law relating to juveniles in c<strong>on</strong>flict with law <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> children in need of care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
protecti<strong>on</strong>, by providing for proper care, protecti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> treatment by catering to their development needs, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> by<br />
156
C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
adopting a child-friendly approach in the adjudicati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> dispositi<strong>on</strong> of matters in the best interest of children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> for<br />
their ultimate rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> through various instituti<strong>on</strong>s established under this enactment.<br />
WHEREAS the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> has, in several provisi<strong>on</strong>s, including clause (3) of article 15, clauses (e) <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> (f) of article<br />
39, articles 45 <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> 47, impose <strong>on</strong> the State a primary resp<strong>on</strong>sibility of ensuring that all the needs of children are met<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that their basic human rights are fully protected;<br />
AND WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the United Nati<strong>on</strong>s has adopted the C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the<br />
Child <strong>on</strong> the 20th November, 1989;<br />
AND WHEREAS, the C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child has prescribed a set of st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ards to be adhered to by<br />
all State parties in securing the best interests of the child;<br />
AND WHEREAS, the C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child emphasises social reintegrati<strong>on</strong> of child victims, to the<br />
extent possible, without resorting to judicial proceedings;<br />
AND WHEREAS, the Government of India has ratified the C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the 11th December, 1992;<br />
AND WHEREAS, it is expedient to re-enact the existing law relating to juveniles bearing in mind the st<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ards<br />
prescribed in the C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child, the United Nati<strong>on</strong>s St<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ard Minimum Rules for the<br />
Administrati<strong>on</strong> of Juvenile Justice, 1985 (the Beijing rules), the United Nati<strong>on</strong>s Rules for the Protecti<strong>on</strong> of Juveniles<br />
Deprived of their Liberty (1990), <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> all other relevant internati<strong>on</strong>al instruments."<br />
The new Indian legislati<strong>on</strong> has provided for a "Juvenile Justice Board" to deal with juveniles in c<strong>on</strong>flict with the law, viz.<br />
"4. Juvenile Justice Board:<br />
(1) Notwithst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing anything c<strong>on</strong>tained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), the State Government may,<br />
by notificati<strong>on</strong> in the Official Gazette, c<strong>on</strong>stitute for a district or a group of districts specified in the notificati<strong>on</strong>, <strong>on</strong>e<br />
or more Juvenile Justice Boards for exercising the powers <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> discharging the duties c<strong>on</strong>ferred or imposed <strong>on</strong> such<br />
Boards in relati<strong>on</strong> to juveniles in c<strong>on</strong>flict with law under this act.<br />
(2) A Board shall c<strong>on</strong>sist of a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of the first class, as the case may be, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
two social workers of whom at least <strong>on</strong>e shall be a woman, forming a Bench <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> every such Bench shall have the<br />
powers c<strong>on</strong>ferred by the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), <strong>on</strong> a Metropolitan Magistrate or, as the case<br />
may be, a Judicial Magistrate of the first class <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Magistrate <strong>on</strong> the Board shall be designated as the principal<br />
Magistrate.<br />
(3) No Magistrate shall be appointed as a member of the Board unless he has special knowledge or training in child<br />
psychology or child welfare <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> no social worker shall be appointed as a member of the Board unless he has been<br />
actively involved in health, educati<strong>on</strong>, or welfare activities pertaining to children for at least seven years."<br />
The new law has provided for the establishment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> maintenance of "Observati<strong>on</strong> Homes" for the purpose of temporary<br />
recepti<strong>on</strong> of any juvenile in c<strong>on</strong>flict with law during the pendency of any inquiry regarding them under the Act. In additi<strong>on</strong> it<br />
provides for "Special Homes" for the purpose of their rehabilitati<strong>on</strong>. More interesting <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> commendable is the provisi<strong>on</strong> for<br />
"Special Juvenile Police Unit".<br />
"63. Special juvenile police unit.-<br />
(1) In order to enable the police officers who frequently or exclusively deal with juveniles or are primarily engaged in the<br />
preventi<strong>on</strong> of juvenile crime or h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ling of the juveniles or children under this Act to perform their functi<strong>on</strong>s more<br />
effectively, they shall be specially instructed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> trained.<br />
157
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
(2) In every police stati<strong>on</strong> at least <strong>on</strong>e officer with aptitude <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> appropriate training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> orientati<strong>on</strong> may be designated<br />
as the 'juvenile or the child welfare officer' who will h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>le the juvenile or the child in coordinati<strong>on</strong> with the police.<br />
(3) Special juvenile police unit, of which all police officers designated as above, to h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>le juveniles or children will be<br />
members, may be created in every district <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> city to co-ordinate <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> to upgrade the police treatment of the juveniles<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the children."<br />
It may not be out of place to menti<strong>on</strong> that in Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Juvenile Court has lost its original name <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> character, inasmuch<br />
as it is now called the "Youth Court" <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> deals exclusively with juvenile offenders, i.e. delinquent children, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> does not deal<br />
with neglected children <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> their care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> custody matters. Many commentators are of the view that the policies followed<br />
by the United Kingdom in respect of children, including the aboliti<strong>on</strong> of the presumpti<strong>on</strong> in favour of 10-14 year olds under<br />
comm<strong>on</strong> law, menti<strong>on</strong>ed above, are in breach of the United Kingdom’s treaty obligati<strong>on</strong>s under the UN<strong>CRC</strong>. [See "Youth<br />
Justice? Half a Century of Resp<strong>on</strong>ses to Youth Offending" by Caroline Ball, a law professor at University of East Anglia,<br />
published in Oct 2004 in the 50th anniversary editi<strong>on</strong> of the Criminal Law Review, 2004 Criminal Law Review at p.36]<br />
On the other h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Scotl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> has a different outlook to its dealings with children. We may quote from an article published <strong>on</strong><br />
the internet by the BBC, which reads as follows:<br />
"Scotl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> has an unique way of dealing with children who commit offences. They are not treated as criminals to be<br />
punished, but as young people with problems who can be helped to overcome these. Their whole family is involved.<br />
They all have to go to a meeting with a group of three people, known as a Panel. These are specially trained lay men<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> women who volunteer to carry out this work. They are helped by a legally qualified official called the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g>er whose<br />
office manages the caseload <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> who advises Panel members where a point of law is c<strong>on</strong>sidered.<br />
The Panel <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> family discuss not just the offending behaviour, but also the circumstances of the family as a whole - are<br />
the parents have (sic.) difficulties coping with their children, are there problems at school, etc. Other people can also be<br />
involved, such as teachers, social workers <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the police. After hearing all of the circumstances of the case, the panel<br />
can then decide what help to put in place to support the family. In extreme cases where the child's behaviour has been<br />
violent, that can include taking the boy or girl out of the home <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sending them to a secure unit run by a local authority.<br />
The theory behind the Children's Hearings system is that criminal behaviour can be nipped in the bud if dealt with at an<br />
early enough stage. It's well recognised that all children go through a rebellious phase in their teens. Many commit minor<br />
crimes, such as shoplifting or petty theft, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> there is a c<strong>on</strong>tinuing problem in some areas with truancy. However, families<br />
can also find themselves in fr<strong>on</strong>t of a Panel for other reas<strong>on</strong>s. A parent could have a drink or drugs problem, there may<br />
be physical or sexual abuse in the home, or the child could be affected by bullying at school, either as victim or assailant.<br />
Panel members are trained to investigate the family <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>fr<strong>on</strong>t the child with the c<strong>on</strong>sequences of his or her behaviour.<br />
Unlike a juvenile court where <strong>on</strong>ly the facts of a case are judged, where guilt or innocence are determined <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
punishment meted out, the Hearings will look at the case in the l<strong>on</strong>ger term. They will bring the family back several times<br />
to look at how their circumstances are changing <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> whether the behaviour of the young pers<strong>on</strong> has improved. It means<br />
that the family feels that it is c<strong>on</strong>stantly under observati<strong>on</strong>, that it's being challenged to change. In the majority of cases,<br />
the system works. It works in part because the young people would have grown out of their "criminal" phase in any case<br />
- it simply accelerates the process. It also works because it does not burden either the child or its family with a criminal<br />
record. It has no l<strong>on</strong>ger-term c<strong>on</strong>sequences that might stop some<strong>on</strong>e from getting a job or going <strong>on</strong> into higher<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>. When the Children's Hearings system was created, the aim was to clear away the legal formality <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> make<br />
everything as child friendly as possible."<br />
The Youth Courts set-up after the Criminal Justice Act 1991 in Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> have similar provisi<strong>on</strong> relating to pers<strong>on</strong>s who will<br />
hear cases brought against juveniles.<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
"The magistrates are drawn from a youth court panel, which is appointed by the justices in the surrounding area each<br />
year. Each of these panels elects a chairpers<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> deputy chairpers<strong>on</strong>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong>e o fthese must preside over each youth<br />
court.<br />
All magistrates sitting in the youth court are specially trained to deal with youth cases. They would also generally have<br />
experience of working with children, as a youth worker or teacher, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> should have some level of underst<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing of the<br />
way of life of the children who are appearing before the court. As would be expected, the proceedings are a lot less<br />
formal than in other courts, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the parents or guardian are required to attend." [taken from an article published by the<br />
BBC <strong>on</strong> the internet]<br />
We share the view that children need the care <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> attenti<strong>on</strong> for their specific needs in their peculiar circumstances. Thus it<br />
is all the more necessary to have specifically trained <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sensitized pers<strong>on</strong>nel to deal with them.<br />
Finally we may comment up<strong>on</strong> the nomenclature of the ‘court’ dealing with juveniles/children. In Engl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the "Juvenile Court"<br />
is now called the "Youth Court". Most countries still retain the title "Juvenile Court". In India the task of dealing with juveniles<br />
in c<strong>on</strong>flict with the law is entrusted up<strong>on</strong> the "Juvenile Justice Board". In Scotl<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> it is a "Panel" who c<strong>on</strong>ducts the "Children’s<br />
Hearings". It matters little by what name the "justice-provider" is called. However, in view of the fact that our Children Act<br />
deals with children who are destitute, neglected <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vulnerable to cruelty <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> abuse as well as delinquent children, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
therefore, is c<strong>on</strong>cerned with children of every age, we would suggest a more neutral term, such as "Children’s Justice Panel"<br />
or "Children’s Justice Board" in order to encompass the n<strong>on</strong>-delinquent children whom the Act also seeks to protect.<br />
CONCLUSION: OUR PERCEPTION OF WHAT THE LAW DOES/OUGHT TO PROVIDE<br />
IN RELATION TO DELINQUENT CHILDREN:<br />
1. As so<strong>on</strong> as a child is apprehended for an alleged offence he must be taken before a Magistrate, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> at all times kept<br />
separate <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> detached from any adult offender. Under no circumstances is the child to be kept in police lock-up.<br />
2. The Magistrate must take immediate steps to ascertain the age of the child in accordance with secti<strong>on</strong> 66 of the Act,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> procedures laid down in the Act are to be followed.<br />
3. Parents/guardians of the child must be informed.<br />
4. The child should be c<strong>on</strong>sidered for release to the custody of his parents/guardian pending any inquiry regarding the<br />
allegati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
5. If his detenti<strong>on</strong> is felt absolutely necessary then he must be kept in a ‘special home’ or ‘observati<strong>on</strong> home’ established<br />
for the purpose, pending decisi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the allegati<strong>on</strong> against him. The ‘special homes’ must be separate <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> distinct from<br />
the ‘approved homes’ where children in c<strong>on</strong>flict with the law are placed after they are found to have been in breach of<br />
the law.<br />
6. If it is established that she/he is a child then the matter must be adjudicated up<strong>on</strong> by a "Children’s Justice Board/Panel"<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the proceedings must be c<strong>on</strong>cluded expeditiously.<br />
7. The child must be given opportunity to be legally represented <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> afforded legal aid for the purpose.<br />
8. In deciding the case finally, the "Board/Panel" must take into account the child’s background <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> other<br />
family/community circumstances, including any report of a Probati<strong>on</strong> Officer or Social Worker.<br />
9. If it is decided that c<strong>on</strong>finement is necessary, then it must be in accordance with the Children Act <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in an approved<br />
home <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> at any cost NOT IN PRISON (emphasis added)<br />
10. The approved homes must be equipped to provide the necessary educati<strong>on</strong>al <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> vocati<strong>on</strong>al training facilities <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
always with the view to the rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> of the child in the community.<br />
159
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
We may add that the above is not meant to be a comprehensive list <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> provides <strong>on</strong>ly some of our percepti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
suggesti<strong>on</strong>s. We wish <strong>on</strong>ly to emphasise the importance of giving the deviant child an opportunity to do better <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> rejoin<br />
mainstream social structure. As was stated by the Supreme Court of India in Sheela Barse v. Secretary, Children’s Aid<br />
Society <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> others, 1987 (3) SCC 50, "If there be no proper growth of children of today, the future of the country will be<br />
dark. It is the obligati<strong>on</strong> of every generati<strong>on</strong> to bring up children who will be citizens of tomorrow in a proper way. Today’s<br />
children will be the leaders of tomorrow who will hold the country’s banner high <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> maintain the prestige of the Nati<strong>on</strong>. If a<br />
child goes wr<strong>on</strong>g for want of proper attenti<strong>on</strong>, training <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> guidance, it will indeed be a deficiency of the society <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> of the<br />
government of the day."<br />
BACK TO THE CASE IN HAND:<br />
With the above scheme of criminal trial in view, we find that the Children Act, 1974 deals with the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of a Court with<br />
regard, inter alia, to accused pers<strong>on</strong>s under the age of 16 years. The Act is of universal applicati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> gives the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong><br />
over all such accused pers<strong>on</strong>s to the Juvenile Court set-up under the provisi<strong>on</strong> of the Children Act, 1974. The Act, therefore,<br />
has an overriding character having a universally acceptable approach, inasmuch as it gives the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> to the Juvenile<br />
Court to try all offences which may c<strong>on</strong>cern any child below the age of 16 years. It is with this view in mind, we believe, that<br />
so many of the decisi<strong>on</strong>s of this Bench have been either sent <strong>on</strong> rem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> for trial by the Juvenile Court up<strong>on</strong> assessment of<br />
age or judgments have been set aside due to lack of jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of the Court other than the Juvenile Court trying the accused<br />
children. We are, therefore, of the view, that jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over the offence is a sec<strong>on</strong>dary c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong>, the first c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong><br />
being the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over the pers<strong>on</strong> of the accused. When the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> over pers<strong>on</strong> is established then no other Court<br />
has power to try a child below the age of 16 years. In such view of the matter, we find that the trial of the accused who was<br />
found to the below the age of 16 years at the framing of charge was without jurisdicti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The trial having been without jurisdicti<strong>on</strong>, under normal circumstances it would be incumbent up<strong>on</strong> this Court to send the<br />
case back for fresh trial by the appropriate Court, namely the Juvenile Court. It appears from the records of the instant case<br />
that up<strong>on</strong> the finding that the accused was a minor, the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal assumed the role of Juvenile<br />
Court. We see from the order sheets that the Judge claimed himself to be the Additi<strong>on</strong>al Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge thus discarding his<br />
own title of Judge, Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal. However, at the same time, we find that the Judge, while framing<br />
the charge, was the Additi<strong>on</strong>al Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge, 1st Court <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Judge of the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Special Tribunal,<br />
Jhenaidah. This has created a serious anomaly. The Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal cannot be the Juvenile Court.<br />
What is apparent from the judgment is that the death sentence having been awarded, the Court which tried the c<strong>on</strong>demned<br />
pris<strong>on</strong>er, could not have been the Juvenile Court, because the Juvenile Court Judge, under the procedures laid down by the<br />
Children Act, could not have passed a sentence of death. We note from the letter of Reference that the learned Judge has<br />
signed himself as the Additi<strong>on</strong>al Sessi<strong>on</strong>s Judge, 1st Court, Jhenaidah, again discarding his title of Judge, Nari-o-Shishu<br />
Nirjatan Daman Tribunal. In the end we are left with the feeling that the learned Judge did not know exactly what role he<br />
was playing, whether it was as the Judge of the Nari-o-Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal or the Juvenile Court. Clearly he did<br />
not exercise his judicial mind. Be that as it may, we would be inclined to send the case <strong>on</strong> rem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> for fresh trial before a<br />
Juvenile Court. However, <strong>on</strong> the evidence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> materials <strong>on</strong> record we find that the decisi<strong>on</strong> is based <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong> of<br />
the accused <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> circumstantial evidence, it being admitted that there is no eyewitness of the occurrence. On careful scrutiny<br />
of all the evidence <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> materials <strong>on</strong> record we do not find any circumstantial evidence to c<strong>on</strong>nect the accused with the<br />
offence. As we have stated earlier, the learned D.A.G. c<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>idly <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> correctly c<strong>on</strong>ceded that the c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>al statement could<br />
not be said to be voluntary since it was recorded three days after the accused was arrested <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> certainly after illegal<br />
detenti<strong>on</strong> in police custody. We note from the evidence of the witnesses that the accused was apprehended <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> h<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed<br />
over to the police by <strong>on</strong>e Kamal, who was not examined as a witness in the case. We also note that the witnesses, including<br />
the victim’s father, stated in their evidence that the accused had been tortured by the police before he c<strong>on</strong>fessed <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that<br />
in his cross-examinati<strong>on</strong> the victim’s father stated that neither he nor any<strong>on</strong>e in his family suspected this accused <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that<br />
so far as he was aware, the accused was not c<strong>on</strong>nected with the murder of his daughter <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> that he had no complaint<br />
against the accused. We feel that sending the case back for trial before the Juvenile Court would not unearth any further<br />
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C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Rights of the Child<br />
evidence. The c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>al statement would still remain the involuntary c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>al statement that it was <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> the evidence<br />
of the witnesses could not be bettered in any way. Therefore, in the light of the decisi<strong>on</strong> Asiman Begum Vs. State, 51 DLR<br />
(AD) 18, we feel that it would be futile to send the case back <strong>on</strong> rem<str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g>, since no further evidence could possibly be<br />
unearthed which could legally be accepted in support of the prosecuti<strong>on</strong> case.<br />
Before parting we wish to record our gratitude for the valuable assistance given by the learned advocate for the c<strong>on</strong>demned<br />
pris<strong>on</strong>er/appellant, the learned Deputy Attorney General, <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> in particular Dr. Shahdeen Malik who acted as amicus curiae.<br />
The learned D.A.G. <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Dr. Malik provided us with a wealth of relevant reference material, which we found immensely<br />
helpful. We would also wish to record our utter dissatisfacti<strong>on</strong> at the manner of c<strong>on</strong>duct of the case by the learned trial judge.<br />
His comments <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> findings with regard to the order of the Judge dated 22.1.2001 c<strong>on</strong>cerning the age of the accused is<br />
highly improper <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> illegal since he was not sitting in appeal over that order nor was that order appealed by any party to the<br />
proceedings. Moreover, having assumed the role of a Juvenile Court, to pass a sentence of death is abundant indicati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
the improper exercise of the judicial mind. The acti<strong>on</strong>s of the learned trial Judge are highly deprecated. In the light of the<br />
above discussi<strong>on</strong>, the Reference is rejected. The appeal is allowed. The judgment <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> order of c<strong>on</strong>victi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> sentence is<br />
hereby set aside. The Jail Appeal is accordingly disposed of. Md. Roushan M<strong>on</strong>dal alias Hashem is hereby acquitted of the<br />
charge levelled against him <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> may be set at liberty forthwith if not wanted in c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong> with any other case. Let a copy<br />
of this judgment be sent to the Ministry of Law Justice <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> Parliamentary Affairs for recommending legislati<strong>on</strong> in line with<br />
the views expressed by us in this judgment. Send down the lower Court’s records al<strong>on</strong>g with a copy of this judgment at <strong>on</strong>ce.<br />
A.K.M. Fazlur Rahman, J.<br />
I agree.<br />
I s m a i l.<br />
161
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Third</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>and</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Fourth</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Periodic</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Report</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
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