physical abuse experienced by the victimized children. Efforts to improve the
socio-economic condition of the families, promoting parenting skills,
counselling victimized children and encouraging parents to restrict
themselves by not more than 2 children are some of the recommendations
to prevent such physical abuse among children.
3. Climate Cahneg Impacts on Children in Bangladesh
Nazria Islam, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS)
Climate change is the greatest threat to humankind in the 21st century.
With a population of over 148 million in a small country of 1, 47,500 sq km
and density of more than 1,000 persons per sq km, Bangladesh is faced with
an increasing vulnerability to aggravated climate change as more and more
of its poor and marginalized people is being exposed to climate risks and
natural hazards. In a poverty inflicted Bangladesh, climate change is only
worsening the situation. It is negatively affecting children to a greater extent
than any other age segment of the population. However, there is dearth of
research to particularly understand the negative effects of the changing
climate on the marginalized and vulnerable children. The study specifically
probed into the impacts of climate change on children’s rights in the areas of
health care, safe drinking water & sanitation, education, protection, food
and nutrition security, in identified climate-vulnerable ecosystems of
Bangladesh, and looked into existing various coping mechanisms and
barriers in adapting with the changing climate in those ecosystems. The
research gave a voice to children and they provided us with valuable insights.
Despite their different geographical circumstances, the findings of the study
revealed common concerns and experiences. The formulation of ecosystem-
wise pilot-scale projects with a common programmatic framework was
recommended as a means of promoting children’s adaptation to climate
change. The concerned national policy, strategy and action plan cover
important aspects that are necessary to implement child-based climate risk
reduction programmes but there is need to give more weight to issues
specific to children and related to climate change. Again, the
implementation of these policies remains much below the desired level. We
need to ensure that these government initiatives build on existing efforts by
child rights organizations in partnership with research organizations.
Poverty and Development: Realities of Grassroots 09