Stakeholders at a meeting in Rajshahi today unequivocally called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions, law enforcement, service providers and communities to prevent the sexual exploitation of boys and ensure a safer environment for children. The stakeholder meeting was organized by the Association for Community Development (ACD) with support from Family for Every Child at Hotel Warisan as part of ACD's year-long observance of Blue Umbrella Day, a global campaign promoting the protection and rights of boys.
Need for Coordinated Action
The meeting highlighted the need for a coordinated, child-centred approach involving families, communities, educational institutions and public authorities to protect boys from sexual exploitation. Participants discussed the role of local government in safeguarding boys' rights, the need for specialized training for teachers to identify abuse, neglect and mental health concerns, ensuring child-friendly and fair treatment for boys in legal proceedings, and improving coordination among schools, police, social services and other government institutions.
Breaking the Silence
A multimedia presentation titled "Break the Silence. Protect Boys from Sexual Exploitation and Strengthen Families" highlighted findings from Family for Every Child and UNICEF's 2024 global analysis. The presentation revealed that sexual violence against boys remains significantly underreported due to stigma, social norms and prolonged silence. It also focused on the causes of boys' vulnerability to sexual exploitation, the long-term physical and psychological impacts of abuse, the role of families and educational institutions in child protection, and the policy measures needed to strengthen prevention and response mechanisms.
Participants stressed the importance of breaking the silence surrounding sexual violence against boys and ensuring accessible, survivor-centred support services. The meeting concluded with participants pledging to strengthen awareness and collaborative initiatives within their respective institutions and communities to prevent sexual exploitation of boys and promote child safeguarding.
