RAJSHAHI, April 16, 2024 (BSS)- Proactive role of the community can be the crucial means of protecting the boys from sexual abuse, assault and all sorts of violence as they are the future driving force of the country.

For the sake of their proper physical and mental development, all sorts of violence and repression against boys must be stopped with integrated efforts of the government and non-government organisations concerned.

Public representatives and development activists came up with the observation while speaking at a community dialogue styled "Blue Umbrella Day- April 16: Raising awareness of sexual violence affecting boys" here today.

Main theme of the day of this year is "Sexual violence affects boys too". Effects can be felt throughout society. That's why, on April 16th, every year, we're drawing attention to this issue.

 Blue Umbrella Day (BUD) is an international day on April 16 that raises awareness of how to better care for boys and protect them from sexual abuse.

Association for Community Development (ACD) hosted the dialogue at Haripur Union Parishad in association with Family for Every Child to mark the day discussing and devising ways and means on how to ensure a friendly atmosphere for the boys.

The meeting was told that the Blue Umbrella Day raises awareness of how to better care for boys and protect them from sexual violence.

"Boys need adult care and protection too, Boys can be victims of sexual violence and being a real man means being kind to yourself and others," were the main focuses of the day.

Union Parishad Chairman Bazley Rizvi Al Hassan, President of Paba Press Club Kazi Nazmul Islam and school teacher Akhtarul Islam addressed the dialogue as resource persons disseminating their expertise on the issue.

ACD Project Coordinator Subrata Kumar Paul moderated the discussion.

The discussants unanimously viewed that concerted efforts of all the government and non-government organisations concerned can be the best way of protecting the boys from sexual abuse and assault for the sake of their proper physical and mental development.

The society as a whole should come forward and work together to protect the boys from all sorts of repression and oppression because there is no way but to build them as worthy citizens through flourishing their latent talents.