Third and Fourth Periodic Report on CRC - Unicef

<strong>Third</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Fourth</strong> <strong>Periodic</strong> <strong>Report</strong>
percent of the population in the programme area in 2000 to 76 per cent in 2003. Similarly, birth registration
campaigns run in 19 districts resulted in registration of about 8 million children under five years in 2004.
During the reporting period, the local language (Bangla) version of the CRC have been printed <strong>and</strong> distributed
to head teachers of all primary schools, Government officials, Union Parishad (Council) Chairpersons, Imams
(Religious Leaders) <strong>and</strong> many others.
Workshops <strong>and</strong> roundtable meetings on issues such as violence against women, violation of the rights of the
child, commercial <strong>and</strong> sexual exploitation of children were arranged. Bangladesh Betar (Radio), National
Institute of Mass Communication (NIMCo) <strong>and</strong> Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) conducted training courses
on different media topics.
The draft of "A World Fit for Children" document was discussed <strong>and</strong> shared widely <strong>and</strong> debated in Bangladesh
in 2001 <strong>and</strong> 2002. This brought important field perspectives into its effective implementation. Divisional <strong>and</strong>
national level consultations were held where extensive comments <strong>and</strong> inputs were gathered from the
participants including children.
The Ministry of Information has in recent years undertaken coordinated approach to build awareness on
children's issues. Communication packages were developed for use by mass media <strong>and</strong> through interpersonal
channels. Partnership among eight key agencies under the Ministry of Information: Bangladesh Television
(BTV), Bangladesh Betar (Radio), PIB, Department of Mass Communication (DMC), NIMCo, Department of
Films <strong>and</strong> Publications (DFP), Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BSS (News Agency of Bangladesh) <strong>and</strong> Press
Information Department (PID) helped in complementing efforts.
Various types of publications, visuals <strong>and</strong> television documentaries are regularly produced by Ministry of
Information, Ministry of Health <strong>and</strong> Family Welfare, Ministry of Primary <strong>and</strong> Mass Education, UNICEF <strong>and</strong> NGOs
on children programmes.
BTV telecasts several programmes on regular basis. The important ones include: documentary on street
children; programme on children with disability; drama on early marriage (numbering around 20; early child hood
education. It also arranged young broadcasters' workshop on the occasion of International Children's Day on
Broadcasting (ICDB). Along with the Government TV Centre, most of the private channels are now widely
covering child's issues, <strong>and</strong> children are increasingly participating directly in their programmes. The country
received its first ever Emmy Award in 2004 for a (child) film Amrao Pari (we can also do) produced by ATN-a
private satellite TV Channel.
DMC took initiatives such as, awareness raising programme on CRC; showing Meena Cartoon; campaign
relating to eradicating child labour; early marriage <strong>and</strong> dowry; child education <strong>and</strong> trafficking; <strong>and</strong> equal rights
(of girls <strong>and</strong> boys), birth registration <strong>and</strong> so on.
DFP is involved in production of documentaries <strong>and</strong> short films concerning CRC. The NIMCo arranges
training/workshop for reporters <strong>and</strong> correspondents including children working across the country <strong>and</strong> helps
them acquiring skills in the fields of writing features. Child rights issue covers an important part of their training.
During 2002-2006 it has organized 21 workshops focusing CRC.
Bangladesh Betar (National Radio) through its 10 centres/units regularly broadcasts programmes on Safe
Motherhood, Child Health, Education, Food <strong>and</strong> Nutrition, Sanitation, Immunization, Early marriage, Child
Labour, 'Say yes for Children', Birth Registration, Child Abuses, Trafficking <strong>and</strong> so on. Radio arranges
discussion, debate, interview, spot, jingle, radio cartoon, drama, quiz, slogans, observance of day (namely
Meena day) aiming at creating awareness on child rights <strong>and</strong> related matters. The authority is planning to
increase the number <strong>and</strong> duration of such programmes in future. Bangladesh Betar organised child-friendly
events on ICDB.
22