Growing up safely in the industrial communities of Gazaria, Bangladesh
A safe place to learn and to grow
Gazaria is a rapidly industrialising area near Dhaka, Bangladesh, where many families from other parts of the country have settled in search of work. Parents often work long hours, while safe childcare and support are not always available. As a result, children may face a range of risks, including dropping out of school, child labour, violence and neglect, child marriage, exploitation and online safety risks. Young children may also have limited opportunities to learn through play and prepare for school.
That is why Terre des Hommes Netherlands is working with local partner Breaking the Silence and LC Supports Foundation on the three-year Community-Based Child Protection Programme in Gazaria. The programme combines direct support for children and families with long-term efforts to strengthen the local child protection system.
Together, we are working to ensure that children can grow up safely, develop their potential and know where to turn when they need help.
Child protection starts with the community around a child
Helping children grow up safely requires more than providing support when something goes wrong. Children need to know their rights and where they can turn for help. Parents need the knowledge and support to protect their children. And schools, employers, community organisations, health and social services, and local authorities need to know what they can do when a child needs support.
In Gazaria, a range of stakeholders are already involved in children’s wellbeing and protection, including schools, local authorities, health and social services, employers and civil society organisations. Through this project, we are working to strengthen collaboration between them.
We map the support and services available and strengthen referral pathways. We also establish clear procedures for what should happen when a child needs help: who identifies and reports a concern, where the child can go for support, and who makes sure they receive the assistance they need. In this way, we contribute to a stronger local child protection system in which different stakeholders work together to better protect children.
Our goal
Through this project, we strengthen the protection of children in Gazaria’s industrial communities. We create safe spaces where young children can play, learn and develop. Children and young people learn more about their rights and safety and are given opportunities to make their voices heard. We also support parents and strengthen connections between the organisations and institutions involved in child protection.
The ultimate goal goes beyond the individual activities. By connecting children, parents, schools, employers, community organisations, health and social services, and local authorities, we are strengthening the local child protection system that it can continue to protect and support children in the long term.
We do this in four ways:
Safe spaces for young children
- We establish five Early Childhood Development (ECD) Safe Spaces for children aged 3 to 6.
- Each year, approximately 125 to 150 children will have access to these safe, child-friendly spaces.
- Children can play, learn, develop social skills and prepare for primary school while their parents are at work.
- Priority is given to children from families working in the surrounding industrial communities. Other vulnerable children in the area can also take part.
Empowering children and young people
- We establish five Child Rights Clubs for children aged 10 to 14.
- Young people aged 15 to 18 can take part in a Youth Forum.
- Children and young people learn about their rights, safety, online risks and leadership.
- They learn where and how to ask for help when they need it.
- They are also given opportunities to have a say in issues and decisions that affect their own lives and communities.
Supporting parents and the wider community
- Parents and caregivers take part in positive parenting programmes.
- Through Parent Support Groups, parents can share experiences, discuss practical challenges and support one another.
- We also engage schools, employers, community and religious leaders, local authorities and other organisations.
- Together, we discuss issues such as child labour, child marriage, violence, school dropout, online safety and early childhood development.
Strengthening local child protection
- We map the support and services available to children and families.
- We strengthen referral pathways so that children can access the right help and support.
- We establish clear procedures for what should happen when a child needs protection: who identifies a concern, where it should be reported, where a child can be referred and who follows up.
- We strengthen collaboration between schools, local authorities, health and social services, employers and civil society organisations.
- Child protection is at the heart of the entire programme, with clear procedures, training and oversight to ensure that children’s safety and wellbeing always come first.
Working together for lasting change
The project is not only about creating safe spaces for children today. We also strengthen the people, organisations and systems around them so that children can continue to receive better protection and support in the future.
The ECD Safe Spaces, Child Rights Clubs, Youth Forum and Parent Support Groups therefore do not operate in isolation. They become part of a broader local child protection system in which different stakeholders work together and know what to do when a child needs help.
By giving young children a strong start, empowering children and young people, supporting parents, and connecting schools, employers, communities and local authorities, we are working towards an environment where children can grow up safely, stay in school and develop their full potential.
Terre des Hommes Netherlands works together with local partner Breaking the Silence and LC Supports Foundation on this three-year programme. The programme is also supported by Royal LC Packaging’s joint venture Dutch-Bangla Pack and long-term production partner Sinobangla Industries, both of which are based in Gazaria.