The 12th Child Parliament session was held on 21 December, 2015. Total 300 persons were attended in the session. 84 (42 girls 42 boys) members of the child parliament were present. Among them 64 district members, 20 members from special groups and expansion areas attended in the session. Diverse range of Bangladeshi children including street children, working children, ethnic minorities, children with disabilities and other vulnerable and marginalised groups.
Mr. Md. Fazle Rabbi Miah, MP, the Honourable
Deputy Speaker of the Bangladesh National Parliament attended as Chief Guest. The child parliamentarian raised the issue and Deputy Speaker of national parliament was questioned by the child parliamentarians, and their commitment sought to change the experience of children in Bangladesh in relation to health and education.
Members of the Child Parliament (CP) also put forward a series of questions related to child marriage and its consequences over child protection including the controversial suggestion of lowering marriage age.
Admitting the corrupt practices of a section of marriage registrars the Deputy Speaker urged the Ministry of Law to strengthen the monitoring mechanism as well as fill in the vacant positions of district registrars to improve the overall situation.
Responding to the allegation of the child parliamentarians that some of the Union Council Chairmen often temper with birth registration in collusion with girls’ parents, he urged the public representatives to follow laws and conscience and not the immediate gain of cheap popularity.
The session was followed by a well-attended press briefing at which the press received the Child Parliament set of recommendations. The child parliamentarians answered the queries of the media in relation to the impact of the Child Parliament, the process of representation within the Child Parliament and future plans of the Child Parliament amongst other issues.
Preparatory workshop:
A preparatory workshop was held which produced the working document to be used in the session based on the research of participants across the country. A 2 day preparatory meeting attended by children’s representatives from all 64 districts and 20 children from poor & marginalized groups held on 18-20 December 2015. Through group work based on the working paper, local issues were identified and incorporated into the national agenda. Child parliamentarians also participated in a mock parliamentary session.
Child Parliamentarians Research Findings:
The Child Researchers (NCTF members) conducted research round the year in all 64 districts. 256 child researchers and 80 child facilitators collected data on the child rights situation. To finalize the issue the core team prioritize the collected information and select the child parliament issue. Both the primary and secondary research findings showed that, the current emerging issue of child rights in Bangladesh is child marriage. NCTF had already online campaign on ‘Not sixteen’ and submit a letter to Prime Minister. Government of Bangladesh drafted the “Child Marriage Prevention Law 2013”. The objective of the advocacy was to remain the marriage for girl 18 years and boys 21 years and increase mass campaign against child marriage.
Achievement of Child Parliament:
The child parliament initiative is meant to provide children a platform to raise their voice on issues that have a bearing on their lives. It also creates opportunity for the children to reach out to decision makers at the national level. Since its inception in 2003 the CP’s advocacy has contributed to policy changes such as banning of physical punishment in the school, use of cell phone by teachers during class hours, and use of children in political rallies.
Commitment of Chief Guest:
Honourable Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament said and believes that the legally permissible marriage age would remain 18. “Bringing down marriage age to 16 would be counterproductive,”
Conclusion:
Like the previous Parliament sessions held during the last 12 years, the children have successfully raised their voices in front of the policy makers of the Government and NGOs, donors and civil society members. The issues that were discussed in the two day sessions are very close to their lives – health and education. One purpose of the parliament session was that the voices of the children are heard and that was achieved to its full extent. How far their concerns will be addressed by the duty bearers will depend on a persuasive dialogue between the children and the duty bearers.
News Coverage of Child Parliament 2014:
http://www.observerbd.com/cat.php?b=254 http://www.dailystar.com/
http://sobujbarta.com/2014/12/22/NewsID-96982061/
http://www.ittefaq.com.bd/capital/2014/12/21/9612.html
http://www.thedailystar.net/18-to-remain-marriageable-age-for-females-56507
http://www.24livenewspaper.com/site/index.php?url=www.priyo.com
http://bdnews24.com/media-en/2014/12/21/december-21-2014
