Despite progress in some parts of the world, child labour remains a stark reality for millions of children globally. According to the joint International Labour Organization (ILO) and Unicef report “Child Labour: Global estimates 2024, trends and the road forward,” an estimated 138 million children worldwide are engaged in child labour, including 54 million who
We cannot achieve development while children remain at work Read More »
“Students from some schools get the opportunity to participate in Mathematics Olympiads and other competitions. We cannot attend. But we want to take part in those competitions too,” said an eighth-grade girl at Kunderpara Gono Unnayan Academy, located in a char (river island) in Gaibandha. I also met several former students. One of them completed
The dreams of girls in a Bangladesh river char Read More »
I had the privilege of visiting Robben Island in 2001, during my first trip to Cape Town. I left my luggage at the hotel and headed straight there. I felt that if work kept me too busy over the following weeks and I missed the opportunity to visit the island, it would remain one of
Will you spend 67 minutes in public service? Read More »
At the Logan International Airport in Boston, US there are a few play zones for children. Popular characters from children’s literature are painted on the walls, along with a few quotes from books as well as introductions to the authors and illustrators. Children’s literature in Bangla itself is quite rich. Could we not implement similar
The case for child-friendly infrastructure Read More »
The Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2022 mentions that 49 percent of the children aged between 6 and 23 months consumed unhealthy foods during the day before the survey. In the report, “unhealthy foods” are described as “foods that are high in sugar, salt or unhealthy fats.” These food items suppress the appetite in children
Save children from the spread of fast food Read More »
I believe that one needs to learn in a structured way the process to maintain professional excellence and stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. That is why I took admission to the Mid-Career Master in Public Administration programme at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in July 2022 after working in
Applying to Harvard University: Tips for a successful application Read More »
During a visit to one of the Child-Friendly Spaces inside a Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar, I met a group of children who made me forget for a few moments the situation that brought them to the camp – the atrocities they had suffered. I was touched by their laughter, warmth, and liveliness. These spaces,
The statelessness of Rohingya children and the world’s responsibility Read More »
“During the lockdown, our teachers offered online classes, but it was extremely challenging for autistic children to understand the instructions through a screen. Parents also struggled a lot. We tried to support parents by providing them with guidance on activities for children while staying in homes,” remarked the executive director (ED) of an NGO in
Creating an autism-friendly society Read More »
“During the lockdown, our teachers offered online classes, but it was extremely challenging for autistic children to understand the instructions through a screen. Parents also struggled a lot. We tried to support parents by providing them with guidance on activities for children while staying in homes,” remarked the executive director (ED) of an NGO in
Creating an autism-friendly society Read More »
“During school holidays, my coaching centre is closed. I encourage students to read books, play or do things they really enjoy. But most parents enrol them in some other coaching centres during their break,” says a schoolteacher in Dhaka. Most parents in Bangladesh view success in exams to be the most important thing in their
Boi Mela is bringing kids to books. We can take this further. Read More »
