Other projects we support in Bangladesh

• Helping children in contact with the law
• Supporting child labourers working in factories
• Protecting children of women working in the garment industry

See also

• Aparajeyo's website

Supporting sexually exploited street children

in Bangladesh

ChildHope and Aparajeyo Bangladesh recently completed a 5 year project to protect
and support 2,000 Commercially Sexually Exploited and Abused Children (CVSAE) in the
cities of Dhaka and Chittagong. Girls, who are particularly at risk, are being prioritised for
protection services and supported to disengage them from sex work.


In particular the project aims to:

• Provides safety and support through a 24-hr child-friendly shelter offering basic healthcare,
  counselling, education, child-to-child support, family tracing social integration and follow-up
  services.
• Supports children by enabling them to make informed decisions about their own lives through peer mentoring, involvement in children’s management councils, worskhops on issues such as child rights and labour, and marketable vocational training.
• Working with local communities, councils and organisations to raise awareness of the needs and rights of CVSAE.
• Recreational activities are also incorporated into the syllabus including music, drawing, dancing and other relevant activities.
• When appropriate children are assisted in being re-unified with their families, and all the time keeping the child's best interest as the priority.
• Training Peer Educators, on issues such as child rights, sexual abuse and exploitation.
• These mentors are informing other children about their rights and the risks associated with
  living and working on the streets.
• A ‘Children Development Bank’ has been developed and is being managed by children.
  The children themselves are encouraged to save money and open their own accounts.

Achievements to date:

• 77 girls and 17 boys have completely disengaged from sex work.
• 4,077 (2,293 girls, 1,784 boys) street children have received outreach support from staff
  and peer educators.
• 623 (378 girls, 245 boys) children have completed a 6 month accelerated education course.
• 35 (25 girls, 10 boys) children have been mainstreamed into formal schools.
• 696 (412 girls, 284 boys) children completed training on life skills, HIV and AIDS,
  Child Rights, Child Labour & Laws, Trafficking, Gender and Development.
• 218 (144 girls, 74 boys) children were enrolled in skills/vocational training.
• 63 (50 girls, 13 boys) children have found suitable job placements.
• 66 (54 girls, 12 boys) children have been reunified with their families.