The student-led July-August uprising that toppled the 15-year regime of the Awami League and installed the interim government on August 8, 2024, was a defining moment for Bangladesh. Led by Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, the administration has committed itself to the ambitious task of "state repair," laying the groundwork by forming 11 independent commissions. Each commission has been tasked with addressing vital issues such as constitutional revision, judicial reform, electoral processes, public administration, police accountability, anti-corruption, health, mass media, workers' rights, local government, and women's affairs. Yet, amid this comprehensive reform agenda, a glaring omission has surfaced: the lack of a dedicated commission for child affairs.

This oversight is particularly troubling given the vulnerable condition of millions of children in Bangladesh, many of whom were directly affected by the uprising and continue to suffer systemic neglect. According to a Child Rights Advocacy Coalition of Bangladesh report, at least 121 children were killed by law enforcement and other agencies during the uprising.

The exclusion of child-related concerns from the government's agenda is deeply disheartening. Although a Women's Affairs Reform Commission has been established, it has not incorporated issues affecting children. This exclusion raises pressing questions: why has the plight of children been overlooked? And why can't child affairs be included in the existing Women's Affairs Reform Commission or addressed through a separate entity? Children constitute a significant portion of Bangladesh's population, and their well-being is inextricably linked to the country's future. Their voices, however, are absent from public discourse, as they lack the ability and platform to advocate for their rights. It is, therefore, the moral responsibility of the government to champion their cause.

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According to the National Child Labour Survey 2022, there are some 35.4 lakh working children aged 5–17 in Bangladesh, with 17.6 lakh not in child labour and 17.8 lakh engaged in child labour, including 10.7 lakh in hazardous child labour. These children are deprived of education, healthcare, and the opportunity to experience a childhood free from exploitation. A significant proportion of these children are street children, and this number has only risen alarmingly in recent years. A recent UNICEF report estimates that over 34 lakh Bangladeshi children live on streets without parental care, and are exposed to abuse, neglect, and extreme poverty. These children, who bear the brunt of systemic failures, were among the most affected during the uprising against the previous regime. Many lost their lives or were injured in the violence, yet their sacrifices remain unacknowledged. Despite laws prohibiting child labour, enforcement remains weak, and children as young as six years old can be found working in factories, workshops, and households.

The interim government's reform agenda offers a unique opportunity to address these longstanding issues, but this can only be achieved if children are given the attention they deserve. Establishing a dedicated child affairs reform commission or integrating child-related concerns into the existing Women's Affairs Reform Commission would be a step in the right direction. Such a commission could focus on critical issues such as eradicating child labour, ensuring birth registration for all children, including those who are orphans, improving access to education, ensuring healthcare for all children, and protecting street children from abuse and exploitation. It could also advocate for policy changes to uphold children's rights and ensure their inclusion in national development strategies.

The argument for prioritising children in the state reform agenda is not merely ethical but also pragmatic. Children represent the future of Bangladesh, and investing in their well-being is essential for the country's progress. Neglecting their needs will only exacerbate existing social and economic disparities, hindering the nation's ability to achieve sustainable development. By addressing the systemic issues that affect children, the interim government can lay the foundation for a more just and equitable society.

It is crucial to recognise that true reform cannot be achieved without addressing the needs of its most vulnerable citizens. Children who lack the means to voice their concerns and demand their rights must not be left behind.

Rabiul Alam is independent writer and graduate of Asian College of Journalism, India. He can be reached at rabiulalamacj@gmail.com.

Views expressed in this article are the author's own.

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