The "Protect Childhood" project aims to tackle the increasing rates of child abuse, violence, and mental health challenges faced by children and young people in Bangladesh. With alarming statistics revealing that 65% of children are physically abused, 32% endure mental abuse, and 3% experience sexual abuse, the initiative focuses on creating awareness and interventions to address these critical issues. Girls are particularly vulnerable, making up 55% of abuse cases, while boys also face physical and sexual harassment. Additionally, 75% of young people report depressive symptoms, further emphasizing the urgency of the project. Over the next six months, the project will implement both offline and online interventions to educate and engage communities, aiming to shift mindsets and foster protective environments for children.
The project’s primary target audience includes schoolchildren aged 11 to 17 and their parental figures aged 21 to 40. Activities will focus on specific schools such as Saint Joseph Tutorial School, Halishahar Munshipara High School, and Halishahar Cantonment School, as well as community areas like Railway Colony and Tigerpass Ambagan in Chattogram. Offline interventions include awareness campaigns, workshops, self-defense sessions, focus group discussions, and leaflet distribution, while online efforts will involve social media campaigns, interactive digital content, and social media literacy initiatives. By addressing both children and parents, the project strives to empower individuals, foster collaboration, and create a long-term impact through targeted awareness and sustainable partnerships.