Ending Violence Against Children –

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announced a set of ambitious national commitments to strengthen child protection systems and accelerate efforts to end all forms of violence against children at the South Asian Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children Jointly organized by SAARC, UNICEF, and WHO in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

State Minister of Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, MP, led the Bangladesh delegation at the Ministerial Conference, held on 23-24 June 2026. High-level representatives, including Ministers and senior government officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, and Pakistan, Sri Lanka as well as the SAARC Secretary General and the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children (VAC), were among the distinguished participants. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya attended the conference as Chief Guest.

Delivering Bangladesh’s national statement, State Minister Sharmin reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to ensuring that every child grows up safe, protected, respected, and empowered.
Addressing Ministers and senior officials from SAARC Member States, development partners, and child rights advocates from across the region, the State Minister highlighted Bangladesh’s significant progress in child protection through strengthened legislation, expanded social protection measures, and community-based child protection systems. She also announced Bangladesh’s new national pledges aimed at strengthening child protection systems, enhancing digital safety for children, and expanding emergency response services for child victims of violence.

During the conference, Bangladesh formally endorsed the Bogotá Call to Action to End Violence Against Children and the Child Protection System Strengthening Framework, reaffirming its belief that child protection systems must be proactive, inclusive, and accessible to every child, regardless of social, economic, or geographic circumstances.

Yasmeen Parveen, ndc, Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, and Mahfuza Sultana, Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also participated in the conference.
Secretary Parveen presented Bangladesh’s national position, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges in protecting children. She noted improvements in birth registration and reductions in violent discipline, while reaffirming the country’s commitment to accelerating efforts to address child labour and child marriage. She also highlighted emerging challenges, including technology-facilitated violence against children, and outlined response initiatives undertaken by the present Government. These efforts were highly appreciated by the participating SAARC Member States.

Bangladesh reiterated its commitment to working collaboratively with regional and international partners to strengthen child protection systems and ensure a safer future for all children.