Awareness must for prevention: Nahid

Enforcement of laws alongside massive social awareness programmes are essential to prevent all types of repression on children, said Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid yesterday.

Social crimes cannot be stopped only through implementation of laws, he said, adding, "We must build massive social awareness."

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a debate competition at Bangladesh Shishu Academy in the capital. The Debate for Democracy and National Female Child Advocacy Forum in association with Plan International Bangladesh organised the programme.

Highlighting various measures of the government, Nahid said stalking of schoolgirls was a serious problem a few years back, but it reduced drastically due to immediate stringent actions taken by law enforcing agencies.

Chaired by Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, the function was addressed, among others, by Bangladesh Shishu Academy Director Mosharraf Hossain, Saint Joseph Higher Secondary School Principal Father Robi Purification and National Female Child Advocacy Forum Secretary Nasima Akter Joly.

Bajrayogini JK High School of Munshiganj and Adamjee Cantonment Public School and College became the joint champions of the competition, said a press release of the education ministry.