Islam

many international, national, local and regional organizations and institutions

like UNICEF, ILO, UNESO, WHO, FAO, Red Crescent Society, World Vision,

EDM, CARE, Save the Children, SOS-Shishu Palli, UCEP, BRAC, ASD, ACD,

TDC, Fulkuri Ashore, Chader Hat, Nizera Kori, Khela Ghar, Kachi Kachar Mela,

Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum, Operazeo Bangladesh etc. are operating

various types of programs for the welfare of such children in the country over the

years. The Christian Missionary Schools and Hostels, Lillah Boarding attached

with Alia and Qawmi Madrasahs are also working for the same purposes.

The States signatory to the CRC is committed to fulfill and establish the rights

of children within their respective territory. The government of Bangladesh is

also committed to fulfill the Articles of CRC. The government in cooperation

with national and international organizations has been implementing various

projects and programs for the welfare of children. Besides a number of research

organizations are working in the research field and publishing their reports.

Discussion

The destitute children are totally deprived of their rights declared by the UNCRC.

To ensure the rights of the children they should have easy access to healthcare,

food, safe water, secure shelter, social, economic and religious activities. But,

in spite of being a member of UN, Bangladesh Government cannot fulfill the

obligations contained in the child rights of 1989 for establishing rights of children

due to constraints of resources and socio-economic and political limitations. 20%

of total population is living in urban areas and a large number of them are living

under the poverty line. They are miserably poor. Children of these miserable poor

families are deprived of basic needs. The children grow up with negligence. Female

children of urban areas are also exploited and face repression more (GOB, 1998:

170).According to the child recruitmentAct 1938, recruitment of children under 12

years of age is absolutely banned at tobacco factories. According to Motor Vehicle

Law 1939, recruitment of children under 20 years is banned at transport sector and

according to the Factory Law 1965, recruitment of children under 14 years of age is

banned at industries (Hossain, 1989: 113).

According to a report published by the government in 1996, about 6.60 million

children are engaged in child labour during the period. The children were at the age

between 5 years to 14 years. The percentage of the child labour was 19.10%, which

was 18.3% of total children of Bangladesh (GOB, 1996:26). A research report

published by Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF), quoting “International

Labour Organization (ILO)” shows about 4.85 million children aged between 10

years to 14 years in Bangladesh are engaged in economic activities. Of them, 2.3

million are female children and 2.55 million male children. The percentage of

child labour aged between 10 to 14 years is 28% (BSAF, 2003:68).

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