Collected Photo The movement to eliminate social ills will be strengthened further through today’s declaration, said Jamalpur Sadar constituency lawmaker Advocate Shah Md. Wares Ali Mamun.
He made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing a declaration ceremony marking Jamalpur Sadar Upazila as free from child labour, drugs, school dropouts and child marriage at the Shaheed Safwan Sadhya Auditorium.
As the chief guest, MP Mamun said drugs, child marriage, school dropouts and child labour are major barriers to social development and progress. He called for a joint social movement involving the government, private organisations and communities to eliminate these problems.
“We must ensure that today’s declaration does not remain only symbolic. We have to work together to make it effective,” he said.
The MP praised the initiatives of the Jamalpur Area Programme implemented by World Vision and Unnayan Sangha and expressed his commitment to strengthening social efforts to protect children and prevent social problems.
The event was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Yusup Ali, who highlighted the causes of social issues and possible solutions. He said if each financially capable family takes responsibility for one child, child labour can be eliminated and every child can return to school.
He added that proper monitoring and creating interest in education can help prevent school dropouts and child marriage. He appreciated the child protection activities of the Jamalpur Area Programme and assured government support for the education of vulnerable children.
The programme was chaired by Jamalpur Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nazneen Akhtar. Among others, Professor Abdul Hai Al Hadi, Principal of Government Zaheda Safir Women’s College; former Rotary Club of Jamalpur President; Assistant Director of Jamalpur General Hospital Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman; World Vision Director of Operation and Technical Programme Lima Hanna Daring; Lead Education Programme representative Md. Kamruzzaman Kalam; Director of Javed Group Alhaj Rakibul Karim and General Secretary of District Nikah Registrar Association Kazi Mashiur Rahman attended the event.
Following the discussion, MP Wares Ali Mamun, UNO Nazneen Akhtar and concerned officials signed the declaration. Earlier, they signed a pledge declaring the upazila free from child labour, drugs, school dropout and child marriage.
Later, educational materials were distributed among children supported through the Rotary Club of Jamalpur and the upazila administration.
According to a survey, 456 child labourers were identified in Jamalpur Sadar Upazila and Jamalpur Municipality. Among them, 118 children were brought under the support programme of the Jamalpur Area Programme. Each family received Tk 10,000 for income-generating activities to help ensure the children’s return to education.
Officials said no child marriage has been registered through Qazis in Jamalpur Sadar Upazila over the past year, while the school dropout rate has also declined significantly.
FP/R
