Engaging youth voices to stand up for child rights in Bangladesh

Above: Rafiq enjoys attending the youth club, where he has learned about child rights. Photo: Ahmad Ullah Al Azad/Plan International

Living in a crowded refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, 16-year-old Rafiq* is the eldest of five children and the only boy child.

Rafiq and his family have struggled living in the camp after fleeing persecution in Myanmar, especially due to heightened security concerns for Rafiq’s four sisters and a lack of access to education.

Rafiq had the opportunity to access a Moktob, a religious institute, but it was not a school and did not provide basic education in literacy and numeracy.

Through the AHP response in Bangladesh, Friends in Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB) and Plan International Bangladesh (PIB) established a new Community Based Youth Club (CBYC) in Rafiq’s camp called Padma Youth Club. Rafiq was selected to participate in the program, finally opening up a chance for him to access basic education.

Above: Rafiq, 16, is now reaching out to adults in his community to share information about child rights after attending youth club. Photo: Ahmad Ullah Al Azad/Plan International

Through the youth club, Rafiq attended Champion of Change (CoC) sessions where he learnt about his rights as a child and how that intersects with gender, child labour and child marriage. In an educational space, Rafiq felt comfortable to grow his understanding by asking the facilitator questions about topics he wasn’t sure about.

Rafiq also attended Functional Literacy and Numeracy sessions on the Burmese and English language and can now write his own name.

“I like to attend my sessions in the CBYC,” Rafiq said.

“I have learned about child rights, child labour, and child marriage concepts after attending the sessions. Now, I can write my name also.”

“I want my sisters to receive education too because education is important to make decisions and it enhances thinking ability.”

Rafiq also attended psychological well-being and resilience training through the club. As a result, he is aware of his rights and responsibilities and feels confident to share this knowledge with his community.

Rafiq says he strongly believes that if all children and their caregivers were aware of their rights, child labour would decrease.

“Child labour should be banned from our community,” he said.

“If all children and parents are aware then no child has to work as a child labourer.”

Child marriage is also an alarming issue within his community and Rafiq says he has shared his knowledge with his family.

“Now, I’ve known about child marriage and its risks and I will not let my sisters get married off before 18 years old. My mother and father also agreed with my understanding,” he said. 

“If I get any news of child marriage, I will inform my facilitator and our Community Based Child Protection (CBCP) committee in which religious leaders and influential community leaders are members. This CBCP committee tries to prevent any child marriage and if they face any challenge, then the committee seeks support from Camp in Charge (CiC).”

Rafiq is now an active member of his youth club and consistently engages with his community to create awareness of child rights issues, as he continues to learn.

This activity was supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership and implemented by the CARE-led consortium with Oxfam and Plan International.

*Name changed to protect identity.