RANGPUR, Dec 9, 2021 (BSS) - Inclusive efforts of government, non-
government and social organizations could prevent violence, sexual
exploitation and abuse against children and women affected by poverty,
natural disasters and other emergencies.

  The opinion came at the closing ceremony of a training course on 'Child
safeguarding and protection against sexual exploitation and abuse and
prevention of violence against children and women for effective case
management' held at a local hotel here on Wednesday afternoon.

  Rangpur Divisional Social Service Office with UNICEF support organised the
four-day training to enhance understanding on prevention of sexual
exploitation and abuse and violence against children and women in the
society, especially in disaster-prone areas.

  As part of the Child Sensitive Social Protection in Bangladesh project,
district and upazila level social services officials of Rangpur division
attended the event which is considered as a significant training to
strengthen child protection services in Bangladesh.

  Divisional Director (Deputy Secretary) of Rangpur Divisional Social
Services Office Md. Abdul Motaleb Sarker as the chief guest attended the
event while UNICEF Rangpur field office Chief Najibullah Hameem was present
as the special guest.

  UNICEF Child Protection Officer Jesmin Hossain and UNICEF Planning and
Monitoring Officer Sonia Afrin facilitated different sessions of the training
followed by open discussions.

  The chief guest advised participating field level officials of the
Department of Social Services to take a more responsive role to activate the
Child Welfare Board and strengthen child protection activities and
materialize the Children Act 2013.

  Najibullah Hameem called for delivering coordinated humanitarian assistance
to children and women to mitigate risk of sexual exploitation and abuse and
provide the necessary response in a timely manner when and where abuse
occurs.

  He said UNICEF is providing technical support to the organizations in all
districts of Rangpur division where child protection workers are playing a
crucial role together with investigators to protect children and women from
sexual exploitation and abuse.

  The victims are also being provided with support and protection they need.

   "UNICEF is supporting government and non-government organizations through
a survivor-centered approach that empowers survivors and promote their
recovery by prioritizing their rights, needs, safety, confidentiality and
choices in a non-discriminatory way," he added.

  Rangpur Divisional Additional Director of Social Services Md. Mosharraf
Hossain and Deputy Director Anil Chandra Barman also spoke.