committee on the rights of the child

consideration of reports submitted by states partiesunder article 44 of the convention

Third and fourth periodic reports of States parties due in 2007

BANGLADESH* **

[4 September 2007]

CONTENTS

Paragraphs Page

Foreword 8

Abbreviations and acronyms 11

Introduction and socio-economic background 1 - 1115

I.GENERAL MEASURES OF IMPLEMENTATION 12 - 6918

A.Measures taken on the concluding observations 12 - 1718

B.Political and legislative measures 18 - 3519

C.Administrative and other measures, budgetary analysis 36 - 4122

D.Monitoring, data collection, implementation, reportingand international cooperation 42 - 4824

E.Coordination of implementation activities 49 - 5125

F.Dissemination of the Convention and the concludingobservations 52 - 6926

II.DEFINITION OF THE CHILD 70 - 7829

A.Measures taken on the concluding observations 70 - 7129

B.Legal review and strengthening of policies andlegal measures 72 - 7829

III.GENERAL PRINCIPLES 79 - 11831

A.Measures taken on the concluding observations 79 - 8731

B.Non-discrimination 88 - 9833

C.The best interests of the child 99 - 10434

D.The right to life, survival and development 105 - 11135

E.Respect for the views of the child 112 - 11836

IV.CIVIL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS 119 - 16637

A.Measures taken on the concluding observations 119 - 12337

B.Name and nationality 124 - 12638

CONTENTS ( continued )

Paragraphs Page

C.Preservation of identity 127 - 13138

D.Freedom of expression 132 - 13739

E.Freedom of thought, conscience and religion 138 - 14140

F.Freedom of association and peaceful assembly 14240

G.Protection of privacy 143 - 14742

H.Access to appropriate information 148 - 16042

I.The right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel,inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, includingcorporal punishment 161 - 16644

V.FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND ALTERNATIVE CARE 167 - 20645

A.Measures taken on the concluding observations 167 - 17445

B.Parental guidance 175 - 17946

C.Parental responsibilities 180 - 18247

D.Separation from parents 18347

E.Family reunification 18447

F.Recovery of maintenance for the child 185 - 18648

G.Children deprived of a family environment 187 - 19448

H.Adoption 195 - 19750

I.Illicit transfer and non-return 198 - 19951

J.Abuse and neglect, and physical and psychological recoveryand social reintegration 200 - 20251

K.Periodic review of placement 203 - 20651

VI.BASIC HEALTH AND WELFARE 207 - 29852

A.Measures taken on the concluding observations 207 - 21452

B.Survival and development 21553

CONTENTS ( continued )

Paragraphs Page

C.Children with disabilities 216 - 22553

D.Health and health services 226 - 26055

E.Social security and childcare service and facilities 261 - 26461

F.Standard of living 265 - 26762

G.Nutrition and breastfeeding 268 - 28363

H.Environmental conditions including water andsanitation facilities 284 - 29266

I.School health 293 - 29568

J.HIV and AIDS 296 - 29868

VII.EDUCATION, LEISURE, RECREATION AND CULTURE 299 - 35669

A.Measures taken on the concluding observations 299 - 30369

B.Education including vocational training andguidance 304 - 34170

C.Aims of education with reference also to quality ofeducation 342 - 35078

D.Rest, leisure, recreation and cultural and artisticactivities 351 - 35579

VIII.SPECIAL PROTECTION MEASURES 356 - 43980

A.Measures taken on the concluding observations 356 - 36480

B.Children in situations of emergency 365 - 37282

C.Children in conflict with the law 373 - 39683

D.Children in situations of exploitation, including physicaland psychological recovery and social reintegration 397 - 42887

E.Children belonging to a minority or an indigenous group 429 - 43692

F.Children living or working on the street 437 - 43994

CONTENTS ( continued )

Paragraphs Page

IX.OPTIONAL PROTOCOLS TO THE CONVENTION ON THERIGHTS OF THE CHILD 440 - 45495

A.Introduction 440 - 44295

B.Involvement of children in armed conflict 443 - 45096

C.Sale of children, child prostitution and childpornography 451 - 45497

Annexes*

1.Mobile Library Programme: Progress from 1999to June 200798

2.Ongoing and new WATSAN Projects 99

3.Age of Recruitment in Bangladesh Armed forces and otherSecurity Agencies 100

4.Key findings of Integrated Baseline Survey on HazardousChild Labour 101

5.Highlights of Time Bound Programme (TBP) 104

6.Facilities Developed by MoSW during 2000-2006 105

7.Initial breastfeeding, MICS 2006 106

8.Breastfeeding, MICS 2006 107

9.Iodized salt consumption, MICS 2006 108

10.Children’s vitamin A supplementation, MICS 2006 109

11.Low birth weight infants, MICS 2006 110

12.Vaccinations by background characteristics, MICS 2006 111

13.Oral rehydration treatment, MICS 2006 112

CONTENTS ( continued )

Paragraphs Page

14.Use of improved water sources, MICS 2006 113

15.Household water treatment 114

16.Time to source of water, MICS 2006 115

17.Person collecting water 116

18.Disposal of child’s faeces, MICS 2006 117

19.Antenatal care provider, MICS 2006 118

20.Assistance during delivery, MICS 2006 119

21.Early childhood education, MICS 2006 120

22.Primary school net attendance ratio, MICS 2006 121

23.Secondary school net attendance ratio, MICS 2006 122

24.Education gender parity, MICS 2006 123

25.Adult literacy, MICS 2006 124

26.Students Enrolled in Primary School by Boys and Girlssince 1991 125

27.Different types of primary level institutions 126

28.Primary Secondary Education Statistics 2005 127

29.Birth registration, MICS 2006 128

30.Child Labour, MICS 2006 129

31.Labourers students and student labourers 130

32.Early marriage, MICS 2006 131

33.Child disability, MICS 2006 132

34.Percentage of children by type of Injury 133

CONTENTS ( continued )

Paragraphs Page

35.Knowledge of preventing HIV transmission 134

36.Children’s living arrangements and orphanhood, MICS 2006 136

37.School attendance of orphaned children 137

38.Anti-Trafficking Measures, Specially Trafficking inWomen and Children 138

References 139

Foreword

Since Bangladesh’s ratification of the CRC in August 1990, the country has been fulfilling its commitment to establish rights of the child in different fronts. The country participated in the World Summit for Children in 1990 and committed itself to all-round development of children of the country. Bangladesh also participated actively in the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children, held in May 2002, and has submitted the five-year progress report on “A World Fit For Children” in December 2006.

It has been recognized that children are vulnerable and do not have their own political voice and hence they need constant state intervention. Bangladesh Constitution lays down the general principles regarding the protection of children and elders from all forms of discrimination. According to article 28(4) of the Constitution, “Nothing shall prevent the State from making special provision in favour of women and children or for the advancement of any backward section of citizens”. Positive development has taken place in the area of law and human rights. Several laws have been enacted to combat violations of human rights in specific contexts. These include The Suppression of Violence against Women and Children 2000 (amended in 2003), The Acid Control Act 2002, The Acid Crimes Prevention Act, 2002, Law and Order Disruption Crimes (Speedy Trial) Act, 2002 and The Disability Welfare Act 2001.

Bangladesh prepared three National Plans of Action (NPA) in 1990, 1999 and 2005 to fulfil its commitment to children. The Government, UNICEF, other development partners, NGOs, private sector and civil society in general continue to support children’s causes in different ways. The country, as a result, has made significant improvements in a number of social indicators, including reduction of under-five mortality rates, infant mortality rates, improvement in school enrolment, iodization of salt, immunization coverage, vitamin A supplementation coverage and safe drinking water supply. Disparity between boys and girls in most indicators has been eliminated.

Bangladesh’s third NPA for Children, 2005-2010, is not only the outcome of a commitment to the CRC, but it also embodies the accountability as per various international conferences held during the 1990s. These include the World Conference on Education for All, United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, World Conference on Human Rights, International Conference on Population and Development, Conference on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing Declaration), World Summit for Social Development and the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements. These conferences were the inspiration for the Millennium Declaration in 2000 and the adoption of the MDG. Many goals are specific to the state of children and women, providing a direct link between the development and welfare of children and women.

Bangladesh is fully committed to achieve the MDGs. In this respect the Government has initiated activities to set the foundations for such a process. The preparation of the Unlocking the Potential: National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction (NSAPR), commonly known as Poverty Reduction Strategic Paper (PRSP), in 2004 is an expression of Government’s efforts to address poverty and co-ordinate different sectors to efficiently respond to the needs of the most disadvantaged. In the NSAPR, there is explicit reference to the Constitutional obligation of the State for developing and sustaining a society in which the basic needs of people are met. The vision proposed in the NSAPR adopts a comprehensive approach premised on a right-based framework, which highlight the needs of progressive realisation of people’s rights. In this document the Government set the following strategic agenda for the achievement of MDG.

Employment

Nutrition

Quality Education (particularly in primary, secondary and vocational levels with strong emphasis on girls’ education)

Local governance

Maternal Health

Sanitation and Safe Water

Criminal Justice

Monitoring

Bangladesh has demonstrated its commitment to protecting and upholding the rights of the child by signature, accession or ratification of the following international human rights instruments since 2000, namely:

In 2000, Bangladesh has ratified the ILO Convention 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action on Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour (ratified in 2001)

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Accession 2000)

Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women 2000

At a regional level Bangladesh has endorsed the SAARC Convention on Prevention and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution in 2002 and the SAARC Convention on Regional Arrangements for the Promotion of Child welfare in South Asia. Bangladesh is also committed to the Rawalpindi Declaration of SAARC calling for the eradication of child labour by 2010. Bangladesh is also a signatory to the Asian andPacific Decade of Disabled Persons (1993-2002). The ratification/accession/signature of all these international and regional Conventions, Covenants and Declaration demonstrates the Government’s commitment in prompting and protecting the rights of the child in all spheres of life. Internally, the Constitution of Bangladesh, the Children Act, 1974, and National Children’s Policy, 1994 are serving children’s interests.

In spite of successes, many children still remain outside the primary schooling system. Malnutrition is a common problem and access to safe water and sanitation facilities are not adequate. Children still face violence, sexual exploitation and abuse. Pollution and environmental damage take a toll on children’s health.

In response to the Concluding Observations on Bangladesh’s Second Periodic Report submitted in 2000, the Government, with the assistance of various development partners, has been implementing new interventions in the fields of birth registration, juvenile justice, injury and accidents, early learning, adolescent and child rights awareness building.

Bangladesh submitted it’s Initial Report on implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in November 1995 and a Supplementary Report in December 1996. The Second Periodic Report was submitted in December 2000. This combined Third and Fourth Periodic Report is being submitted as per CRC/C/15/Add 03Oct 2003. The report has been prepared in accordance with the General Guidelines adopted by the Committee on 11 October 1996. All effort has been made to provide the information as per this latest Guideline. The Concluding Observations and Recommendations on the Initial Report of Bangladesh on both the Optional Protocols to the CRC have also been taken into consideration in this Report.

As lead agency, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA) in association with the line ministries, UNICEF and NGOs has prepared this Periodic Report during January‑August 2007. The line ministries are: Health and Family Welfare; Social Welfare; Education; Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives; Home Affairs; Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; Finance; Planning; Information; Youth and Sports; Labour and Employment; Defence; Cultural Affairs; Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs; and the Primary and Mass Education. The report preparation process was documented initially in a concept paper agreed between all partners. The report was drafted by a core committee and discussed in MoWCA and UNICEF before wider circulation for review and feedback.

One National and Five Divisional Consultations were organized with the concerned actors/stakeholders mainly to verify and share the information and contents of the Report and incorporating the ground level realties. Two Children’s Consultations, one at Divisional Level (Rajshahi) and another at National level were also organized for the purpose.

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs would like to thank all the line ministries, UNICEF, concerned UN agencies, international organizations, NGOs and their coalitions for their valuable contributions towards preparing this State Party Report.

Abbreviations and acronyms

ABCNArea Based Community Nutrition

ADBAsian Development Bank

ADPAnnual Development Programme

AIDSAcquired immune Deficiency Syndrome

ANCAntenatal Care

ARHAdolescent Reproductive Health

ARIAcute Respiratory Infections

ARISEAppropriate Resources for Improving Street Children’s Environment Project

BAMWSPBangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project

BANBEISBangladesh Bureau of Educational, Information and Statistics

BBFBangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation

BBSBangladesh Bureau of Statistics

BCCBehaviour Change Communication

BCGBacillus of Calmette Guerm

BDHSBangladesh Demographic and Health Survey

BEOCBasic Emergency Obstetrics Care

BEHTRUCBasic Education for Hard to Reach Urban Children

BEUWCBasic Education for Urban Working Children

BHISBangladesh Health and Injury Survey

BIDSBangladesh Institute of Development Studies

BLASTBangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST)

BMIBody Mass Index

BNFEBureau of Non-formal Education

BNWLABangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association

BSABangladesh Shishu (Children) Academy

BSAFBangladesh Shishu Adhikar (Child Right) Forum

BTVBangladesh Television

CBOCommunity Based Organization

CBRCrude Birth Rate

CCCity Corporation

CCACommon Country Assessment

CDDControl of Diarrhoeal Diseases

CDFChild Development Forum

CDMPComprehensive Disaster Management Project

CEDAWConvention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

CHTChittagong Hill Tracts

CIDACanadian International Development Agency

CPRContraceptive Prevalence Rate

CRCConvention on the Rights of the Child

DFPDepartment of Films and Publications

DGDirector General

DFIDDepartment for International Development

DMCDepartment of Mass Communication

DPEDirectorate of Primary Education

DPHEDepartment of Public Health Engineering

DPTDiphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus

DPT3Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, three shots

DSSDepartment of Social Services

DWADepartment of Women Affairs

ECDEarly Childhood Development

EFAEducation for All

EmOC/EOCEmergency Obstetrics Care

EPIExpanded Programme on Immunisation

ERDEconomic Relations Division

ESPEssential Services Package

FPFamily Planning

GDPGross Domestic Product

GERGross Enrolment Rate

GMCGlobal Movement for Children

GNPGross National Product

GTZGerman Technical Assistance

HAPPHIV/AIDS Prevention Project

HIVHuman Immunodeficiency Virus

HKIHelen Keller International

HPSPHealth and Population Sector Programme

HNPSPHealth, Nutrition and Population Sector Programme

ICDDR,BInternational Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh

ICDPProgramme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development

ICMHInstitute of Child and Mothers Health

IDEALIntensive District Approach to Education for All

IECInformation, Education and Communication

ILOInternational Labour Organisation

IMCIIntegrated Management of Childhood Illness

IMEDImplementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division

IMRInfant Mortality Rate

INGOInternational NGO

IPECInternational Programme for Eradication of Child Labour

IPHNInstitute of Public Health and Nutrition

JICAJapanese International Cooperation Agency

JJRJuvenile Justice Round Table

KUKKishore/Kishori Unnayan Kendra (Adolescent Development Centre)

LBWLow Birth Weight

LSBELife Skills Based Education

MDGMillennium Development Goals

MDMRMinistry of Disaster Management and Relief

MICSMultiple Indicator Cluster Survey

MMRMaternal Mortality Rate

MoHAMinistry of Home Affairs

MoEMinistry of Education

MoHFWMinistry of Health and Family Welfare

MoLJPAMinistry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs

MoPMEMinistry of Primary and Mass Education

MoRAMinistry of Religious Affairs

MoWCAMinistry of Women and Children Affairs

MoLEMinistry of Labour and Employment

MoLGRD&CMinistry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives

MoSWMinistry of Social Welfare

MOUMemorandum of Understanding

NACNational AIDS Committee

NASPNational AIDS/STD Programme

NERNet Enrolment Rate

NFENon Formal Education

NGONon Government Organisation

NIDNational Immunisation Day

NIMCoNational Institute of Mass Communication

NIPORTNational Institute of Population Research and Training

NLAONational Legal Aid Organization

NORADNorwegian Agency for Development

NPANational Plan of Action

NSAPRNational Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction (or PRSP)

PCARProtection of Children at Risk

ORTOral Rehydration Therapy

PEDPPrimary Education Development Programme

PIBPress Institute of Bangladesh

PIDPress and Information Department

PMEDPrimary & Mass Education Division

PRSPPoverty Reduction Strategy Paper

PWDPersons with Disability

SAARCSouth Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

SACOSANSouth Asian Conference on Sanitation

SBASkilled Birth Attendant

SDCSwiss Development Cooperation

SEACTSexual Exploitation Against Children including Trafficking

SidaSwedish International Development Cooperation Agency

SNPSafety Net Programme

SVRSSample Vital Registration Survey

TBPTime Bound Programme

TFRTotal Fertility Rate

TLMTotal Literacy Movement

U5MRUnder-5 Mortality Rate

UDCUrban Development Centres

UNUnited Nations

UNDAFUnited Nations Development Assistance Framework

UNDPUnited Nations Development Programme

UNFPAUnited Nations Fund for Population Activities

UNICEFUnited Nations Children’s Fund

UPHCPUrban Primary Health Care Project

USAIDUnited States Agency for International Development

USIUniversal Salt Iodization

WATSANWater and Sanitation

WFCLWorst Form of Child Labour

WFFCWorld Fit for Children

WHOWorld Health Organization

WSCWorld Summit for Children

Introduction and socio-economic background

Country overview

1.Bangladesh, with an estimated population of about 140 million in an area of 145,570 square kilometres, is among the world’s most densely populated countries. Seventy five percent of the population lives in the rural area and the majority of the labour force (87%) is employed in the informal economy. Over the last 10 years Bangladesh has made tremendous progress on many counts especially in key human development indicators. In 2006 UNDP Human Development Report (HDR) ranked Bangladesh 137th among 177 countries with an HDI score of 0.530 which places it among countries considered to have medium human development, suggesting that Bangladesh could be a role model by showing that sustained improvement in human development is possible even in poor countries with relatively modest level of income growth. This is the result of macro economic stability, low population growth, reduction in aid dependence, food self-sufficiency (with declining cultivable area). Reduction of mortality rate and malnutrition of children, close to 100 percent enrolment rate in primary schools also played an important role, while other factors are: effective disaster management capacity, promoting NGOs (non-government organization) and revolutionizing microcredit, active and free press, a vibrant and pluralist democratic civil society marked by cultural activism and developmental debates, and most importantly, increase in women’s empowerment (through mainstreaming women into the development process).

2.Despite significant achievements made in the recent years, Bangladesh is yet to overcome many challenges. The country is still one of the poorest in the world with some 40% of the population living below the poverty line, and 33% in absolute poverty. GDP per capita is still very low. Unemployment and underemployment remain pervasive. Only 40 percent of the total population has access to health services, 67 percent to improved sanitation and 75 percent to safe drinking water. The level of child malnutrition is still critical and so the maternal mortality rate. There still remains uneven spread of economic and social opportunities, unequal distribution of assets, growing disparity between developed and underdeveloped areas as well as rural and urban areas. Reaching the poorer areas such as coastal areas, charlands (isolated islands in the river), haor/baor/beel (big water bodies) and hills has often been difficult, and there are persistent pockets of seasonal distress (Monga, for example) whose development concerns remained unaddressed, with few exceptions.

3.The poverty affects children in terms of their access to adequate food, financial and physical resources, health services, and information and community affairs. However, children’s issues are articulated in all the documents/instruments, most importantly the NSAPR/PRSP and NPA for Children, and many positive measures are taken with regard to achieve and establish the rights of the child.

Population

4.The total population of Bangladesh stood at 130 million at the time of last population census in 2001. The total current population of the country is estimated to be over 140 million, giving a population density of 948 persons per sq. km. There are approximately 25.5 million households in the country with an average household size of 4.9 (dwelling).Of the 2001 population, 67.7 million were males and 62.8 million were females, showing a sex ratio of 106 males to every 100 females. The natural growth rate of the population is 1.54 per cent. The population is young, with about 13 percent under 5 years of age, 38 percent under 15 and 47 percent under 18 years (Table 1.1). The rural population comprises 74 percent and the urban population 26 percent. The children below 18 years total about 67 million. Life expectancy at birth is 64 years for males against 64.5 years for females.

Table 1.1

Distribution of population by age group

Age Group(years)	2001	1991
Male	Female	Total(Both Sex)	Sex Ratio	Male	Female	Total (Both Sex)	Sex Ratio
Total Population (#)	63894740(51.59%)	59956380(48.41%)	123346 120(100%)	106.5	54728350(51.48%)	51586642(48.52%)	106314992(100%)	106.00
Age Group (%)
00-04	6.75	6.24	12.99	108.20	8.31	8.14	16.45	102.10
05-09	7.12	6.42	13.53	110.80	8.53	8.02	16.55	106.30
10-14	6.80	6.00	12.80	113.20	6.49	5.66	12.15	114.80
15-19	5.08	4.58	9.66	110.90	4.28	4.13	8.41	103.60
20-24	3.92	4.89	8.81	80.20	3.85	4.44	8.29	86.60
25-29	3.95	4.74	8.69	83.40	4.07	4.45	8.52	91.40
30-34	3.48	3.58	7.06	97.20	3.17	3.03	6.20	104.40
35-39	3.39	3.06	6.46	110.70	3.07	2.56	5.63	120.30
40-44	2.77	2.24	5.01	123.40	2.31	2.03	4.33	113.70
45-49	2.11	1.61	3.72	131.10	1.82	1.53	3.35	119.30
50-54	1.76	1.47	3.23	119.10	1.54	1.38	2.92	111.30
55-59	1.06	0.85	1.90	125.00	1.02	0.81	1.83	126.50
60-64	1.23	1.05	2.28	117.60	1.15	0.98	2.13	117.50
65-69	0.66	0.51	1.17	129.40	0.59	0.43	1.02	137.00
70+	1.51	1.17	2.68	128.30	1.27	0.93	2.20	136.30

Source: BBS Census 1991 and 2001.

Note: Figures of total population are in number and distribution by age group in percentage.

5.The table 1.2 and 1.3 below show changes in marital status during two points of time, 2001 and 1991, the former concerning males and latter females. The percentage of never married males has slightly decreased (about 1%) at age group 10-14, while increased marginally (1%) at age 15-19. However, in all other age groups, the percentage of never married males has increased, ranging from 1% to 5%. Currently married males up to 14 years have increased, but decreased in the age group of 15-19, and percentage of overall currently married males has increased. It is also noticeable that total numbers of widowed/separated/divorced males has slightly dropped down in 2001 compared to 1991 (from 0.7% to 0.6%), remained static in the initial age groups.

Table 1.2

Distribution of male population (aged 10 and above) in Bangladesh bymarital status (in percent)

Marital Status	Year	Age group	Total
10-14	15-19	20-24	25-29	30-34	35-39	40-44	45-49	50-54	55-59	60+
Never married	1991	99.5	95.0	68.4	26.4	7.2	2.1	1.1	0.6	0.7	0.4	0.6	42.8
2001	98.8	96.0	69.3	31.7	11.6	4.4	2.9	2.1	2.7	2.4	4.0	43.6
Currently married	1991	0.5	4.9	31.4	73.3	92.5	97.6	98.4	98.7	98.1	98.0	95.1	57.2
2001	1.2	3.9	30.5	68.0	88.1	95.3	96.6	97.4	96.3	96.3	92.1	55.8
Widowed/ Divorced/Separated	1991	0.0	0.1	0.2	0.3	0.2	0.3	0.5	0.7	1.2	1.6	4.3	0.7
2001	0.0	0.1	0.2	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.4	0.5	1.0	1.3	3.9	0.6

Source: BBS.

6.The percentage of never married females at age groups 10-14 and 15-19 were 96.8 and 48.7 percent in 1991, these changed to 96.4 and 63.0 percent in 2001, showing a sharp increase in the age bracket of 15-19. Table also indicates decline of currently married girls (below legal age) by around 10% but still close to 40% girls are married earlier than legal age of marriage.

Table 1.3

Distribution of female population (aged 10 and above) in Bangladeshby marital status (in percent)

Marital Status	Year	Age group	Total
10-14	15-19	20-24	25-29	30-34	35-39	40-44	45-49	50-54	55-59	60+
Never married	1991	96.8	48.7	10.7	2.4	1.1	0.6	0.6	0 .4	0.5	0.4	0.8	25.2
2001	96.4	62.5	16.9	6.1	3.4	2.2	2.2	2.0	2.8	2.8	5.6	28.7
Currently married	1991	3.0	49.6	86.6	94.0	93.8	92.1	86.9	81.7	70.6	64.3	42.9	64.8
2001	3.2	36.4	81.2	91.3	92.5	91.8	87.2	83.9	75.5	72.1	47.9	63.3
Widowed/Divorced/ Separated	1991	0.2	1.7	2.9	3.6	5.1	7.3	12.5	17.9	28.9	35.2	56.3	10.0
2001	0.4	1.1	1.9	2.5	4.1	6.0	10.5	14.1	21.1	25.1	46.5	8.0

Source: BBS.

7.Females under the categories of “currently married” and “widowed/separated” are larger than males (Tables 1.2 and 1.3) in both the periods. That is, the number of never married males is higher than females.

Economy

8.Bangladesh has made notable progress in the area of poverty reduction in the 1990s and in the last few years. The poverty head count ratio shows that the percentage under the poverty line has fallen from 48.9 percent to 40.0 percent between 2000 and 2005. This means that poverty has come down by 1.7 percent annually since 2001. However, inequality has increased in the country as per the latest statistics collected in end-2005.

9.The current GNP of Bangladesh per capita is US$ 482 up from US$ 279 in 1990. Bangladesh has experienced higher GDP growth rate of 6.7 percent in fiscal 2005/06, driven by higher agricultural and manufacturing production. The agriculture sector’s share of GDP dropped from 29.5 percent in 1990 to 21.8 per cent in 2006, while the shares of the manufacturing and service sectors rose from 70.5 in 1990 to 78.2 percent in 2006.

10.Balance of payment situation improved in recent years with level of export and remittances growing. Merchandise export grew to a total of $10.5 billion in the fiscal 2005-2006 with readymade garment sector contributing to about three-quarters of total export earnings. Total remittances reached a record $3,600 million in 2005-2006 fiscal.

General Legal Framework: Administrative set-up

11.Bangladesh has a parliamentary system of government. The President appoints as Prime Minister the Member of Parliament who appears to him/her to command the support of the majority of the members. The Prime Minister is the chief executive of the country. S/he has a council of ministers to assist her/him in the discharge of duties. As per the constitutional provisions, at the end of the tenure of each government, a non party Care-taker Government takes over and conducts the next parliamentary elections. The non-party Caretaker Government has been constituted Since December 2000. The number of divisions and districts remain the same but number of Upazilas (sub-district) has increased from 460 to 480 during the reporting period.

I. GENERAL MEASURES OF IMPLEMENTATION

A. Measures taken on the concluding observations

12.While on the one hand there were achievements or successes during the period; on the other hand, the State Party could not sufficiently address some of the Recommendations of the CRC Committee. The State Party has undertaken various programmes and initiatives in terms of data collection, birth registration, eradicating (worst forms of) child labour, improving juvenile justice system/administration and violence against children. Attempts have been made to review and harmonize the legislations relating to child and concerned issues. For example, the minimum age of criminal responsibility has been raised to 9 years from 7. Under the Court of Wards (Amendment) Act, 2006, any orphaned child who reached 18 years has now the right to claim the property or sell it which s/he is supposed to be legally inheriting. Previously the age limit was 21. This amendment is consistent with the CRC so far age is concerned.

13.The other important achievements accomplished during the period include: enactment of as many as 10 new laws/amendments of existing laws relevant to CRC during the period; coordination activities, both at central and field levels, have strengthened; National Plan of Action (NPA) for Children (2005-2010) formulated keeping an eye on World Fit for Children; NSAPR/PRSP and most importantly CRC; data collection monitoring mechanisms further improved and efforts towards mainstreaming is underway; measures for dissemination of principles and provisions of CRC and awareness building among all the stakeholders enhanced significantly; allocation of fund increased for primary education and health. The media, social workers, civil societies, lawyers, religious leaders, children - their associations and parents, among others, are more aware, concerned and involved about the rights and welfare of children in the country.

14.New policies, plans and strategies relating directly and indirectly to CRC have either been improved or drafted, and most of them are approved, and some are under process of approval. The establishment of the Directorate of Children’s Affairs is under consideration of the State Party. However, the coordination role of MoWCA has improved in the recent years, and the State party is planning to further improve the situation through strengthening Bangladesh Sishu (children) Academy (BSA), improving monitoring and coordination at district/field level CRC Committees with the help of all sectoral ministries and others concerned.

15.A law on Children’s Commissioner (Ombudsperson) has been drafted and awaiting final approval of the Cabinet. However, no concrete development took place in establishing a National Hunan Rights Commission except few sporadic attempts. Though Personal Law (Religious Law) of majority population cannot accommodate withdrawal of reservation (on freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and adoption), still the State Party is considering waiving it using the experience of other countries.

16.Under the existing law, minimum age of marriage is 18 for females and 21 for males, and there are provisions for punishment of the persons involvement in child marriage. Awareness about negative effects and consequences of early marriage has notably increased through interventions of both government and NGOs/CBOs.

17.The State Party has taken steps to modernize the police and law enforcement agencies including Bangladesh Rifles (border security forces), and making them fit for being child‑friendly. It has started converting few Thanas (Police Stations-PS) into model police station to enhance the quality of service.

B. Political and legislative measures

Reservations to the Convention on the Rights of the Child

18.There is not yet a final decision of the government about the withdrawal of reservations to article 14, paragraph 1 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) and article 21 (adoption). The main constraint behind the delay in withdrawing the reservations is that it to some extent contradicts with Personal Law (Religious or Shariah Law) of the majority population. The constitution of Bangladesh, of course, duly respects other religions of the country. However, the State Party keeps it under consideration through examining experiences of ether countries.

Legal issues and amendment of laws

19.The law entitled Prevention of Repression against Women and Children Act, 2000 (as amended in 2003) is enacted to combat the crime of violence against women and children. The law provides for stern measures including death penalty, life imprisonment for the crime of rape, abduction and dowry and trafficking related violence. The age of children has been revised to 16 from 14 years.

20.The Disability Welfare Act, 2001 came into force from 1 August 2001. It will ensure equality of opportunities, other benefits and privileges to the persons with disabilities (PWD).

21.To combat the menace of acid attacks, particularly on women and children, the government has enacted Acid Control Act, 2002 to control production and sale of corrosive chemicals.

22.Acid Crimes Prevention Act, 2002 has been enacted to address the acid related crimes more sternly. This law provides tougher punishment including death sentence for splashing acid on people.

23.To dispose of the women and child related cases, among others, expeditiously the government enacted a Law and other Disruption (Speedy Trial) Act, 2002. Under this Act, a large number of cases related to child rights violation have been dealt with within a very short time, along with other cases not directly related to children and women.

24.The Birth and Death Registration Act has been enacted in 2004 and entered into effect in 2006. This Act is considered as a saviour in the area of child protection in many respects. It has been followed by five Birth Registration Rules and all of them have been approved.

25.The Penal Code (Amendment) Act, 2004 has been enacted. The minimum age of criminal responsibility has been raised to 9 years from 7.

26.The Mines (Amendment) Act, 2004 has revised the age of children who can be engaged in mines from 15 years to 18 years to conform to the CRC. Now, this Act prohibits employment of any person below 18 years of age in any mine.

27.As per the Court of Wards (Amendment) Act, 2006, any orphaned child who has reached 18 years has now the right to claim the property or sell it which he/she is supposed to be legally inheriting. Previously the age was 21. The definition of “minor” is now consistent in the matters related to age of inheritance with the CRC as per this amendment.

28.A new law, Bangladesh Labour law, 2006 has been enacted in October 2006. Among others, it deals with some prohibitions related to child labour. Child labour, hazardous work by a person below 18 in particular, is prohibited by this Law. Government will continue to identify/prepare and publish list of such hazardous works. For any other (non-hazardous) economic activity the lower limit of admission into employment is 14 years but with the certification of a registered medical doctor about fitness and age of the child/adolescent. The employer must preserve the certificate; allow her/him to continue on-going education adjusting working hours, ranging from 30 to 42 hours per week (during the day time only meaning restriction of work during 7.00 pm to 7.00 am).

29.Another new law, Women Convicted in Jail Special Privileges Act, 2006 provides all women in jail to be trained by the Government in different income generating activities and ensure their social and economic reintegration as soon as the term ends.

30.In order to improve the overall law and order situation, some new measures have been undertaken by the Government and some new are offing. Action is underway to upgrade the existing 12 Thanas into model PS to prevent crimes in Dhaka city. Service delivery centres have been set up in model and metropolitan police stations (a front office with an official to cordially and sincerely record and handle the cases and other complaints, inter alia) to enhance the quality of police service. Women and Victim Support Centres have been established in Dhaka Metropolis. Steps have been undertaken to enhance the efficiency of Bangladesh Rifles (border security force) through introducing special allowances and rewards for border forces, and increasing the number of border outposts.

New Institutions, policies and plans

31.For the administration of juvenile justice in the country, a National Legal Aid Organization (NLAO) has been established. The NLAO has started providing legal aid services to children in prisons, poor in particular, as well as certified institutes (Development Centre). The State Party has also established the following:

A National Foundation for Development of Disabled in 2001

A Bureau of Non-formal Education was established in April 2005

A Non-government Teachers Registration Certification Authority in 2005

32.The following policies/strategies and plans have been put into implementation:

Time Bound Programme for Child Labour (2004-2015)

National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction (NSAPR) or Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), October 2005

Third National Plan of Action (NPA) for Children (2005-2010)

Gender Strategy and Action Plan, January 2006

Strategy and Action Plan for Mainstreaming Special Needs Children, October 2006

Strategy and Action Plan for Mainstreaming the Tribal Children in Primary Education, November 2006

Non-formal Education Policy, January 2006

National Food Policy 2006

33.The following draft policiesare awaiting approval of the Government:

Arsenic Policy

Child Labour Policy

Social Policy for children on alternative care and protection for children in contact with law

Street Children Policy

National Plan of Action for Education for All (NPA EFA)

Strategy and Action Plan for Mainstreaming Vulnerable Children in Primary Education

Early Childhood Development Policy

A plan of Action on Juvenile Justice

NPA for Combating Trafficking

NPA against the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children including Trafficking

National strategy for children

34.The third National Plan of Action (NPA) for Children (2005-2010) was formulated and a mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the plan has been established under the leadership of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA). A mid-term evaluation in 2008 and an end-term evaluation will be undertaken to measure the effectiveness of implementation of the NPA.

35.The NPA was prepared in a participatory manner. In line with a concept paper prepared by the MoWCA, and following a series of meetings, a working committee for NPA was established. In order to deal with specific areas of the NPA, five multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary Advisory Panels were formed. The Panels took into consideration the CRC, Plan of Action of the WFFC agenda, MDG and the NSAPR.

C. Administrative and other measures, budgetary analysis

Child/Human rights institutions

36.The National Children Council, headed by the MoWCA, is the highest policy-level body for children. A draft law on Children’s Commissioner (Ombudsperson) has been framed. It is awaiting final approval of the Cabinet. Some sporadic attempts towards establishing a National Human Rights Commission have been initiated by the State Party without any tangible results during the reporting period.

Cooperation between government and civil society

37.BSAF and CDF are networking organizations for few hundred child-related NGOs. Government partnerships exist with NGOs to implement important projects such as the Basic Education for Urban Working Children, Adolescent Girls’ Empowerment, Early Childhood Development projects - HIV&AIDS, Anti-trafficking, ARISE (which is a component of Protection of Children at Risk Project, PCAR since April 2007), WFCL-IPEC (Worst Form of Child Labour-International Programme for Elimination of Child Labour), and many others.

38.The Government and NGO collaboration enables supplementation and complementation of efforts specially covering vulnerable groups such as urban street children, working children, adolescents and so on. The important collaborative areas include: child rights, health, early childhood development, non-formal education, water, sanitation, environmental programmes and so on.

Budgetary measures

39.Bangladesh has been allocating more than 20 percent of the total Government expenditure in social sectors since 1990, which is more than 3 percent of the GDP. The Government has increased its investment in education sector by allocating about one-sixth of the national budget of which the share of primary and non-formal education sub-sector is nearly half. The Table 1.4 shows that there is an overall consistency in development budget (Annual Development Programme-ADP) allocation in two major social sectors- education and health.

Table 1.4

Budget allocation under ADP

(Taka in million)

Year	Total development budget	Primary and mass education (part of education budget)	Education	Health
2001-02	160 000	14 053 (8.8%)	21 710 (13.6%)	14 430 (9.0%)
2002-03	171 000	14 466 (8.5%)	25 520 (14.9%)	15 430 (9.0%)
2003-04	203 000	11 058 (5.5%)	27 110 (13.4%)	16 120 (7.9%)
2004-05	220 000	15 957 (7.3%)	31 410 (14.3%)	21 560 (9.8%)
2005-06	245 000	16 660 (6.8%)	32 970 (13.5%)	22 690 (9.3%)
2006-07	260 000	19 920 (7.7%)	38 650 (14.9%)	20 633 (7.9%)
2007-08	270 000	22 800 (8.4%)	35 950 (13%)	26 063 (10%)

Source: Annual Budget for 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007‑08; Finance Division, Ministry of Finance; (Exchange rate of 1 US$= Taka 68.0).

40.The education and health sectors together account for about one quarter of the total development budget. The increase in allocation has been substantial in the last seven-year period. It is to mention that the development budget is composed of both internal resources and foreign aid and loan. In 2006-07, for example, total internal resources have been estimated to be 56 percent of total development allocation while 44 percent is coming from external resources.

41.Five sectors, namely, education, health, social welfare, sports and culture, and labour and manpower are considered under the Social sector. The following table gives sector-wide break‑up of allocation for last seven years.

Table 1.5

Allocation in social sectors under ADP

(Taka in million)

Sector	2001/02	2002/03	2003/04	2004/05	2005/06	2006/07	2007/08
1 Education	21 710	25 520	27 110	31 410	32 970	38 650	40 765
2. Health and family welfare	14 430	15 430	16 120	21 560	22 690	20 633	26 063
3. Social welfare, women affairs and youth development	1 730	2 270	1 690	1 800	1 880	3 765	2 113
4. Sports and c ulture	790	940	1 210	1 450	1 570	1 606	803
5. Labour and m anpower ( e mployment)	180	270	570	690	710	837	940
6. Subt otal	38 840	44 420	45 179	55 290	58 128	65 491	70 684
7. As percent (%) of ADP expenditure	24.3	26.0	22.3	25.1	23.7	25.19	26.0
8. Total ADP allocation	160 000	171 000	203 000	220 000	245 000	260 000	270 000

Source: Annual budget for 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007‑08 Finance Division, Ministry of Finance; (Exchange rate of 1 US$= Taka 68.0).

D.Monitoring, data collection, implementation,reporting and international cooperation

42.The Government has decided to make the General Economic Division of the Planning Commission the coordinating body for tracking progress of national targets, as defined in the NSAPR and MDG. The tracking of the progress of World Fit For Children (WFFC), CRC and other regional instrument lies on the MoWCA which it does in cooperation with other ministries having specific role in children’s activities like education, health and protection. In each area, a set of indicators have been developed and data on each of those are being collected and published in different survey reports. Most of MDG and WFFC indicator data are available now. In most surveys, qualitative improvements in methodology and survey design have been brought in.

43.The progress of many child-related programmes is monitored regularly by Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) under the Ministry of Planning. IMED does it in addition to project officials who have monitoring staff in field locations. Every project steering committee is monitoring overall progress of implementation on a regular basis. All projects and programmes carry out mid-term and final evaluations besides conducting other studies and surveys.

44.Impact level data and information are provided by specific surveys. The last Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) was carried out in Bangladesh in 2004 and recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) in 2003 and 2006. The ninth MICS, conducted jointly by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and UNICEF, is a mechanism for systematic collection of data on the situation of children and women. BBS now has enhanced its capacity in managing MICS. BBS conducted training of data collectors and supervisors, carried out 5 percent post enumeration check of the questionnaire, analysed data and prepared the report. MICS provides district-wise data for children and women in addition to separate data set for urban slum and tribal population since 1995. In 2006, through the adoption of a new sampling design, MICS produced data on a wider range of indicators through surveys in about 68,000 households. New data on early childhood development, immunization, child and women health, education, cooking fuel, dwelling type and ownership, protection of adolescents, injury and accidents have been collected in 2006. The MICS report was published and disseminated widely in 64 districts through seminars with important stakeholders.

45.The reports of all the above documents have already been published, except that MICS 2006 which is still in daft form (August 2006). Government and many other organizations are preparing different types of reports using the data of these surveys. MICS, Child Labour Surveys, and others were very much useful for this CRC Report. Capacity and quality of different government agencies, MoWCA BBS in particular, in terms of reporting has further improved.

46.The Sample Vital Registration System (SVRS) provides regular data on child mortality and Child Nutrition Survey generated comprehensive children data every four years. These surveys are carried out also by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

47.Bangladesh carried out a large survey to investigate the causes of under-five mortality and morbidity in 2003. This survey, conducted in 170,000 households revealed that injuries and accidents account for 29 per cent of all deaths among children 1-4 years (ICMH & UNICEF, 2003). Based on the findings, a new project has been undertaken to prevent injuries and accidents. Another survey conducted in 2003/04 established that 36 percent of infants are born with low birth weight (BBS & UNICEF, 2003/04). The anaemia survey of 2003 showed that anaemia is a severe public health problem in children aged 6-59 months and adolescents and pregnant women in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). BBS with the technical cooperation of ILO‑IPEC has conducted two rounds of Child Labour Survey in 1996 and 2003. Tehese were household based child labour surveys which provided comprehensive data on working children. A “Baseline Survey for Determining Hazardous Child Labour in Bangladesh” was also conducted in 2005. Under this survey 45 hazardous activities/sectors were identified and as many as 13,180 sample establishments from these sectors were selected. The main objective of this survey was not only to identify the child workers but also to determine incidence and distribution of children engaged in hazardous works.

48.The State Party has been maintaining cooperation with international organizations since long. The development partners in the recent years are showing increased interest in empowering women and children, resulted higher assistance and cooperation with MoWCA, so that matter with the State Party. Not only the number of development partners is increasing, the volume and magnitude of cooperation is also on rise in the recent years for programmes relating to children. There were many development partners; however, UNICEF always remained proactive so far support to children is concerned.

E. Coordination of implementation activities

49.The MoWCA is responsible for coordinating child related activities with 18 ministries. The Ministry has made a proposal to create a Department of Children Affairs which is under consideration of the appropriate authority. MoWCA arranges meetings of the Inter-ministerial CRC Standing Committee headed by its Secretary. The Committee advises on major policy matters such as preparation of the NPA for Children, celebration of annual CRC Week, monitoring and reporting mechanisms on children’s issues.

50.At district level, there is a committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner which has the responsibility to monitor broad progress achieved in children’s programmes and situation. The committee members received training arranged by MoWCA on child rights and programme monitoring. There is a plan to further the capacity of committee members/concerned persons to handle salutation related to child rights at field level.

51.Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (MoLJPA) is in the process of establishing 4 Juvenile courts in four divisional cities.

F. Dissemination of the Convention and the concluding observations

Convention dissemination

52.Child rights awareness is administered under a number of sectoral programmes and projects in addition to a specific media project implemented by the Ministry of Information funded by UNICEF. Sectorally, communication initiatives have focused on the education rights of children, especially those of girls and working children; on arsenic contamination of ground water, on immunization and maternal health. As to the efficacy of these initiatives, an example may be given from arsenic programme which helped to raise awareness among 35 percent of the population in the programme area in 2000 to 76 per cent in 2003. Similarly, birth registration campaigns run in 19 districts resulted in registration of about 8 million children under five years in 2004.

53.During the reporting period, the local language (Bangla) version of the CRC have been printed and distributed to head teachers of all primary schools, Government officials, Union Parishad (Council) Chairpersons, Imams (Religious Leaders) and many others.

54.Workshops and roundtable meetings on issues such as violence against women, violation of the rights of the child, commercial and sexual exploitation of children were arranged. Bangladesh Betar (Radio), National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMCo) and Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) conducted training courses on different media topics.

55.The draft of “A World Fit for Children”document was discussed and shared widely and debated in Bangladesh in 2001 and 2002. This brought important field perspectives into its effective implementation. Divisional and national level consultations were held where extensive comments and inputs were gathered from the participants including children.

56.The Ministry of Information has in recent years undertaken coordinated approach to build awareness on children’s issues. Communication packages were developed for use by mass media and through interpersonal channels. Partnership among eight key agencies under the Ministry of Information: Bangladesh Television (BTV), Bangladesh Betar (Radio), PIB, Department of Mass Communication (DMC), NIMCo, Department of Films and Publications (DFP), Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BSS (News Agency of Bangladesh) and Press Information Department (PID) helped in complementing efforts.

57.Various types of publications, visuals and television documentaries are regularly produced by Ministry of Information, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, UNICEF and NGOs on children programmes.

58.BTV telecasts the several programmes on regular basis. The important ones include: Documentary on street children; Programme on Children with Disability; Drama on early marriage (numbering around 20; Early Child hood Education. It also arranged young broadcasters’ workshop on the occasion of International Children’s Day on Broadcasting (ICDB). Along with the Government TV Centre, most of the private channels are now widely covering child’s issues, and children are increasingly participating directly in their programmes. The country received its first ever Emmy Award in 2004 for a (child) film Amrao Pari (we can also do) produced by ATN-a private satellite TV Channel.

59.DMC took initiatives such as, awareness raising programme on CRC; showing Meena Cartoon; campaign relating to eradicating child labour; early marriage and dowry; child education and trafficking; and equal rights (of girls and boys), birth registration and so on.

60.DFP is involved inproduction of documentaries and short films concerning CRC. The NIMCo arranges training/workshop for reporters and correspondents including children working across the country and helps them acquiring skills in the fields of writing features. Child rights issue covers an important part of their training. During 2002-2006 it has organized 21 workshops focusing CRC.

61.Bangladesh Betar(National Radio) through its 10 centres/units regularly broadcasts programmes on Safe Motherhood, Child Health, Education, Food and Nutrition, Sanitation, Immunization, Early marriage, Child Labour, “Say yes for Children”, Birth Registration, Child Abuses, Trafficking and so on. Radio arranges discussion, debate, interview, spot, jingle, radio cartoon, drama, quiz, slogans, observance of day (namely Meena day) aiming at creating awareness on child rights and related matters. The authority is planning to increase the number and duration of such programmes in future. Bangladesh Betar organised child-friendly events on ICDB.

62.BSS, a news agency under Ministry of Information, also remains active in building awareness about CRC in the country through publishing features, spot reporting, cartoon, articles in both electronic and press media on a regular basis.

63.Bangladesh Shishu (Children) Academy (BSA), a national organization for children under MoWCA, has been implementing various programmes including awareness building on CRC and child issues, training and cultural activities, day observations, question-answer sessions (debate), establishing National Children Task Force etc.

64.A 10-day training programme entitled “Script Development and Animation Training on Meena” was organized in 2005. As an outcome of the training, five scripts were developed on Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH), Quality Education, Protection, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Injury Prevention. A total of 40 professionals including script writers, animators and storyboard artists attended the training programme. Training of 85 local theatre groups from 22 districts was completed and so far 180 shows on quality education and girls’ education issues have been performed. Training on child rights and gender awareness are carried out at the district and local government levels regularly. Through the child rights capacity development training (2006-07), with the support of UNICEF, MoWCA sensitized 150 GO and NGO officials and their on NPA was developed for implementation of CRC.

65.Several NGOs organized discussions with journalist to sensitize them on the issues around child rights, sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking, and various training organized. A draft code of conduct for newspaper reporters on ethical reporting has been prepared. The State Party has issued a circular to counsel avoiding using pictures of sexually abused children in the daily newspaper. Meena Day (24 September) is regularly celebrated by a number of Government and NGO partners in Dhaka and throughout Bangladesh. New Meena Episode, Fair Play of Girls, Aar Noy Kanna, Protul Bannyai (WES), Phenomena (ARI), Bannyai Nirapode Thaki and Amader Dekhbo Amra (child protection) were developed.

66.NGOs, children’s organizations, Scouts, mothers’ clubs and the media as well distributed Behavioural Change and Communication (BCC) materials in different workshops, seminars, discussion sessions and training programmes. In addition to the above, several NGOs/Forums/CBOs and civil society are implementing both short and long term programmes in developing awareness about various child issues. The BSAF, for instance, through its 235 organizations, has been regularly implementing such programmes/activities throughout the country. It utilizes both print and electronic media to this effect. The specific activities of these organizations include:

Building capacity of community Based organizations, NGO and GO

Mobilizing vulnerable groups like adolescent girls, women etc

Mobilizing community leaders

Awareness raising on relevant issues

Organize rallies, observance of special days, workshops and seminars

Dissemination of concluding observations

67.The Committee’s Concluding Observations issued in October 2003 on Bangladesh’s Second Report have been translated and widely disseminated. One children’s version in Bangla was also published and distributed.

Preparation of periodic report

68.The preparation of the present report has been coordinated by MoWCA with support from UNICEF. The report is based on information collected by MoWCA from all the relevant ministries, departments and agencies along with data from many other sources. The child focal persons from all relevant Ministries were identified and they received an orientation on CRC Periodic Report preparation in early June 2006. Headed by the Secretary, MoWCA, a multidisciplinary body of departments was formed. Initial draft of the Report was prepared by MoWCA in association with UNICEF. The group reviewed the drafts of the document, arranged discussion, organized consultation meetings in Dhaka and at sub-national level, helped recording discussions and prepare minutes, incorporate recommended revisions and inputs, arranged children’s participation, and finalised the document.

69.As discussed elsewhere, the concerned offices at field levels were involved in the process of preparation of this CRC Report through organizing workshops/consultations at Divisional and National levels. MoWCA in association with UNICEF and Divisional Commissioners’ Offices organized a total six such consultations. Participants from all the districts of the country attended the Consultation and contributed. Two Children Consultation Meetings were also organized for the purpose, one at Dhaka and other at Rajshahi.

II. DEFINITION OF THE CHILD

A. Measures taken on the concluding observations

70.The State Party has undertaken several measures towards synchronizing the domestic laws and regulations during the reporting period, keeping in mind the standard definition of child. Not only there are several laws and regulations relating to children, they also are different in many respects including age of child. Moreover, there are socio-political, cultural and religious reasons behind it.

71.The age of criminal responsibility has been raised to 9 from 7 years (Penal Code Amendment Act, 2004). The Mines (Amendment) Act, 2004 has revised the age of children who can be engaged in Mines from 15 years to 18 years to conform to the CRC. As per the Court of Wards (Amendment) Act, 2006, any orphaned child who has reached 18 years has now the right to claim the property or sell it which he/she is supposed to be legally inheriting. Previously the age was 21. A child labour policy dealing, inter alia, rationalizing age of child and child labour is under active consideration of approval. The age for admission to employment under different existing laws varies from 14 to 18 years under the new labour law, enacted in 2006, However, it permits a person of 14 years to get into employment with certificates from medical persons about his age and fitness. Under the existing law, the minimum age of marriage of a girl is 18 and a boy is 21. A Committee headed by Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW) has been formed to monitor the implementation of Children Act 1974 involving all concerned Ministries and Departments and Organizations.

B. Legal review and strengthening of policies and legal measures

72.Bangladesh Supreme Court, consisting of High Court and Appellate Divisions, is the highest legal body in the country. Criminal and civil courts operate at the Zila (district) level. The State party has been working to separate the Judiciary from the Executive. In recent days the process is accelerated. Some Rules have already been framed and necessary amendments in the Code of Criminal Procedures, 1896 have been made. There is existence of local salish (mediation mechanism) since long.

73.There are a number of laws related to children in Bangladesh. These do not provide a consistent definition of a child. These laws are yet to be revised to bring in a unified definition. Each law has specific objective and it is difficult to synchronize ages in different laws. A high powered Committee has been formed to review and harmonize the national laws in line with CRC. The Secretaries of Ministry of Home Affairs, MoWCA, Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Land are important members of the committee. The committee has identified five laws for revision. The Laws identified for review are as follows:

Court of Wards Act of 1879;

Juvenile Smoking Act 1919;

Mines Act of 1923;

Vagrancy Act of 1943;

The Children Act of 1974.

74.The Government has identified 14 Rules through an assessment and suggested to review and amend these laws to synchronise with the CRC articles. These are:

1.Bangladesh Passport Rules, 1974;

2.Passport Rules, 1955;

3.Muslim Marriages and Divorces (Registration) Rules, 1975;

4.Income Tax Rules, 1984;

5.Building Construction Rules, 1992;

6.Bangladesh Citizenship (Temporary Provisions) Rules, 1978;

7.Citizenship Rules, 1952;

8.Electoral Rolls Rules, 1982;

9.Control of Employment Rules, 1965;

10.Exporter, Importer and indenters (Registration) Act, 1981;

11.Export and Import Policy Order;

12.Municipal Corporation (Taxation) Rules, 1986;

13.Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (water connections); and

14.Levy of Water Rate Rules, 1966.

75.The Supreme Court of Bangladesh is aware of the rights of the child. Whenever any deviation occurs, it interferes either on complaint or on own motion, and issues rules containing directions for taking necessary/correct measures. Due to such orders passed by the High Court Division, total number of children in confinement has reduced remarkably in the recent years. The figure was 1303 in 2003 all over the country, which decreased to 395 in June 2007.

76.The above information suggests that though reduced overtime, still there is imprisonment of children in the Jails. Few are staying together with the adult offenders. As per a recent newspaper report, close to 300 children are living in the 3 correction centres, one located in Jessore (for boys), and two in Gazipur Distirct (one for girls and other for boys) having a capacity to accommodate a total of 500 children. The correction centres are now renamed as Adolescent Development Centres (Kishore/Kishoree Uinnayan Kendra-KUK) with view to help develop the children through providing different trainings and related opportunities/facilities. However, required logistics and resources are reportedly not adequately available in these KUKs. There are shortage of staff, training facilities, and general physical condition and overall atmosphere is not up to the mark.

77.Advocacy, meetings and workshops arranged in collaboration with NGOs and government in 6 Divisions helped release more children from the Jails. Major decisions like deployment of “Child Police Officer” in each police station, not to apply Special Powers Act in cases of children, compulsory submission of monitoring report to police Head Quarters also contributed to reduction of arrest and detention of children in the country. Increased coordination between Police Department and Department of Social Services as well as NGOs down to district level has been a positive development in improving Juvenile Justice Administration.

78.The High Court issued a Rule Nisi in July 2007 upon the authorities concerned to show cause why imprisonment of children in jails should not be declared illegal. The authorities were asked to send the children in custody to juvenile correction centre/development centre, upon hearing a writ petition filed by two NGOs (The Daily Star, 25 July 2007). It is hoped that under the present Government the situation will improve and the Rule Nisi will create impact at operational and legislative levels.

III. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

A. Measures taken on the concluding observations

79.The Government has taken several measures to ensure implementation of the principle of non-discrimination. The State Party has in collaboration with development partners introduced monthly stipends for the families with girl students provided they maintain certain criteria. The programme started with primary school students, now extended to colleges (up to 12 Class). Gender parity has been achieved in access to primary education and Madrasha education. The Government’s initiative to recruit more female teachers (ensuring 60 percent job quota in primary level) and incentives programmes for girls in secondary education could play positive role in reducing gender discrimination.

80.The Ministry of Social Welfare’s ARISE project represents an important initiative to realize the rights of the most vulnerable children who are living on the streets in six divisional cities. From April 2007, the ARISE project has been named as Protection of Children at Risk (PCAR) Project, being supported by under UNICEF. The project will build the capacity of Government agencies and selected NGOs working with street children to provide vocational training and education, access to safe shelters, health services and counselling. Children in institutions such as vagrant homes, correctional centres and orphanages will benefit by the activities of PCAR project.

81.The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME) has been implementing the Reaching out of School Children (ROSC) Project in 60 Upazilas (sub-districts) for the disadvantaged children of 7-10 years of age, who were never enrolled or dropped out from the formal schools. Another project, Basic Education for Hard to Reach Urban Children (BEHTRUC), is being implemented in 6 divisional cities for the urban working children of 10‑14 age groups.

82.The Strategies and Action Plan for Mainstreaming Special Needs Children and Strategies and Action Plan for Tribal Children in Primary Education have been approved and are under process of implementation. These include children/people of tea gardens, charlands (small islands in the rivers), haor/baor/beel area (large water bodies), coastal area, gypsy people (Bede) etc.

83.The State Party has undertaken several measures to uphold the best interest of the child such as preparation of the NPA; National Children Policy, enacting/amending some related laws and legislative measures, undertaking a number of programmes and projects, extending cooperation with NGOs/CBOs and development partners, creating increased awareness about CRC.

84.The Children Act, 1974 prohibits the use of capital punishment against children under 16, but it allows imposition of life term correction of such child. However, The State Party has made significant progress in this regard in the recent years and in practice, the courts in these days rarely impose life sentences on children under 18, let alone death sentence. While in January 2000 there were four children serving life sentence, as on 25 August 2007, there was only one of such child in an Adolescent Development Centre, KUK. The State Party is also considering amendment of Children Act, 1974 so that right of a child is ensured.

85.Children’s participation received increased attention in recent years, promoted by both Government and the development partners. Children participated substantively during the preparation of the Special Session on Children and Global Movement for Children (GMC) in the country which helped to bring to the forefront the importance of children’s participation in national and international agenda. The children also participated in preparing both the National Plan of Action for Children (2005-2010) and the National Plan of Action against Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children including Trafficking (NPA-SAECT).

86.In 2004, a National Children’s Conference was organized jointly by the MoWCA, Save the Children Alliance and UNICEF. A total of 1,000 children participated in the conference to discuss the rights of the children, the NPA-SEACT and the Concluding Observations made by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in September 2003. A Children’s Poll was conducted in 2005 to collect their opinion on various issues that affect their lives. About 4,500 boys and girls between 9 and 18 years were interviewed. Two Children Consultations were successfully organized in course of preparation of this Report.

87.Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials are being regularly produced by the State party, UNICEF and NGOs, and are disseminated through media and other means of communication across the country. However, the State Party is considering strengthening the efforts.

B. Non-discrimination

88.Gender equality and disparity reduction is one of the overarching strategies of the NPA (2005-2010). The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), which routinely collects information on the situation of children in the areas of health and education and child protection, is designed to identify disparities through the disaggregation of data on various bases.

89.MICS 2006 shows that a large proportion of girls are married at an early age. Nationally, about 33 percent of girls aged below 15 years and 74 percent below 18 years are married. In rural areas, the rate was 78.4 percent and in urban areas 65.4 percent. There is regional difference in age of marriage. Among the tribal population, the rate of child marriage is somewhat low (44 percent). There is a negative co-relation between child marriage and educational level and child marriage and economic status.

90.One of the “World Fit for Children” goals is to protect children against abuse, exploitation, and violence, including the elimination of discrimination against children with disabilities. Nationally, 17.5 percent of the 2-9 year old children had one or more reported disabilities. There are regional variations, ranging from around 58 to 81 percent, with no urban-rural difference in disability. The disability is negatively co-related to age. Several districts have comparatively higher rate of disability. Further research is needed to find out why some districts have such a high rate of disability.

91.During the 1990s and till date, Bangladesh recorded remarkable achievement in primary education. Girls’ enrolment increased by over 30 percent during the reporting period. Girls’ net enrolment in 2005 was 90.10 percent (compared to 84 percent for boys), as against around 80 percent in 2000 (MOPME). National net and gross enrolment rate remained 87.20 percent and 97.5 percent respectively in 2005. There still remains scope for improvement of quality of education through decreasing absenteeism, repetition and drop out rate.

92.The situation is worst in urban slum areas. Of primary age girls in urban slums 26 percent have never enrolled in school and the net enrolment rate is only 61 percent which is 23 percent lower than the national average. Of boys in the urban slums, 32 percent have never enrolled and the net enrolment rate is 58 percent.

93.Secondary education has its own problems despite improvement of enrolment rates of girls in the last decade. Still, about a third of girls aged 11-15 are out of school, and nearly half of girls who were enrolled in secondary dropped out before completing Class 10. Only 8 percent of the age cohort of girls (compared to 15 percent of the boys) successfully completes the higher secondary education cycle (Class 12). Most of the other 92 percent of the age cohort are already married by this time.

94.The Government has taken several initiatives to address some of the problems. In July 2002 the Government launched the Primary Education Stipend Programme. Under the Programme poor families in rural areas are given a monthly stipend. The poorest 40 percent students in a school may be selected to receive stipends provided they maintain 85 percent attendance and pass the annual school examinations. The initiative is funded entirely by the Government.

95.The ARISE project targets to raise the rights of the most vulnerable children who are living on the streets of six divisional cities. The project has created access for street children to services such as Non-formal Education, vocational training, access to safe shelters, health services and psycho-social counselling, life skills in six divisional cities. The project creates more scope of participation of children in different activities with a view to social and occupational reintegration of the children to protect them from discrimination, violence, abuse and exploitation.

96.The State Party has established 3 Shishu Paribar (Children Family) in 3 Chittaong Hill Tract Districts for tribal children and in 2006/07 allocated support for 923 children living in private Orphanages.

97.The Strategies and Action Plan for Mainstreaming Special Needs Children and Strategies and Action Plan for Tribal Children in Primary Education have been adopted and on that basis different projects are taken.

98.Day by day the State Party is becoming more concerned about the situation of marginalized people and children living in remote areas with poor communication facilities and lesser accessibilities. This group include the Gypsy (Bede), tea garden workers, haor/beel (large water bodies) inhabitants, chalrlanders (people living in small island of rivers), so on. Different initiatives are being undertaken to meet their special needs.

C. The best interests of the child

99.While the family environment in Bangladesh is generally child-friendly, public institutions are frequently the opposite, appearing to be driven more by rules and systems than by the interests of the child. There are laws, however, which include a concept akin to the “best interests” principle, even though it may be interpreted/expressed differently. In the realm of guardianship of minors, for example, the Court must be guided when making an order by “what appears in the circumstances to be for the welfare of the minor (Guardians and Wards Act, 1890).

100.The Children Act, 1974 and Children Rules, 1976 are intended to protect the child’s best interest during all kinds of legal processes such as maintaining confidentiality, restricting public access to complaint concerning children, the special role of police and probation officer. The Act provides for separate juvenile courts and forbid the joint trial of an adult and a child offender where the offence has been jointly committed. The Act also lays down measures for care for destitute and neglected children, including children under the care of parents and guardians who habitually neglect, abuse or ill-treat them. The Act also restricts death penalty of the children.

101.Best interest of the child is the prime concern of the NPA, 2005-2010 where it states “All programmes should be assessed for benefits of the child and avoid risks to children affected.”

102.The National Children Policy 1994 introduces the concept of the best interests of the child as one of its objectives in the context of ensuring “the best interest of the children in all national, social, family or personal situations”. The activities identified to achieve this objective are:

Giving priority to the interests of children in all circumstances

Collecting information on children from institutions and conducting research on child‑related topics

Publication and broad dissemination of annual reports showing improvements in the situation of children

Observing Universal Children’s Day and National Children’s Day

103.The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) has been implementing a mosque based Child and Literacy Programme. Under the programme, the Imams (Community based religious leader) provide different kinds of training covering issues related to best interest of the child. Training through Imam is found very effective in Bangladesh. MoRA has established a Training Academy to train the Imams.

104.The Government has continued to allocate increased resources for children. And the impacts of this are noteworthy. The NGOs in Bangladesh are increasingly supplementing Government efforts in child rights. They, jointly and separately, are undertaking awareness‑based advocacy and campaigns related to duties and responsibilities of the parents, guardians and employers about promoting and protecting best interest of the children.

D. The right to life, survival and development

105.The vision of the National Plan of Action for Children is “A Nation Fit For Bangladesh’s Children”, while the long term goal is to “ensure the rights of the children to survival, development, protection and participation”.

106.The fundamental objective of the comprehensive National Health Policy, 2002 is to ensure health services for all. To materialize the health policy, the Health, Nutrition and Population Sector Programme (HNPSP) aims at provision of health care for all and reduction of maternal and child mortality. The programme also seeks to enhance the public health sector’s ability to manage the threats of HIV&AIDS.

107.The major interventions under the health service are covered through Essential Services Package that includes: Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Control, Diarrhoeal Diseases Control (CDD), Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), and School Health Programme, reproductive health care, adolescent health care, health education and promotion, urban health services, HIV&AIDS programming, Arsenicosis Management, Accidents and injuries, and Disability.

108.IMCI is a new approach in the provisions of child healthcare services. This integrated approach is to provide health promotion and preventive services of immunisation, micro-nutrient supplementation, growth monitoring and counselling on feeding, nutrition, care-seeking and caring of new-born and early stimulation & learning. A community IMCI strategy to strengthen community-based provisions for five priority areas, such as, caring and care-seeking, feeding and nutrition, essential new-born care, early childhood development and prevention of drowning has been developed.

109.The major nutrition interventions package are, increased availability of food grains and micronutrient fortified food, National Nutrition Programme (NNP), control of vitamin A deficiency, control of iodine deficiency, control of iron deficiency anaemia, promotion of breastfeeding, behavioural change communication (BCC), capacity building, etc.

110.The major interventions under the water and sanitation package are: safe water supply and arsenic contaminated tube-well screening, installation of sanitary latrines, water supply and sanitation in un-served and under-served areas, water supply in pourashava (municipal) areas, capacity building of local Governments, BCC and capacity building of Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE).

111.The Government and NGOs, mostly in a collaborative manner, implementing a host of programmes in almost all relevant sectors including education, health, protection towards survival and development of the child. Campaigns to increase public awareness about important issues of CRC being the most important programme implemented jointly. There are other collaborative projects covering direct delivery services to the target groups, children in particular. New concept and projects are also identified for consideration to the benefit of children. For example, HNPSP has undertaken prevention of injury as a component basing on a survey report of January 2005.

E. Respect for the views of the child

112.The NPA, 2005-2010 stressed on child participation saying “The Government is committed to children’s participation in policy development and implementation”. The Government is giving increased attention to child participation in the efforts of establishing child rights.

113.Children participated substantively during the preparation phase of the Special Session on Children in 2001/02 and Global Movement for Children (GMC) in the country which helped to bring to the forefront the importance of children’s participation in both the international and national agenda. The GMC and preparation processes leading up to the Special Session also made possible significant collaborative developments at sub-national, national and regional levels among children, young people, civil society, NGOs, INGOs, media, the corporate sector and Governments in furthering issues relating to children’s agenda.

114.The children participated in preparing both the National Plan of Action for Children (2005‑2010) and the National Plan of Action against Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children including Trafficking (NPA-SAECT) with different stakeholders jointly and also separately. Several consultations were also held during the preparation of the National Social Policy on Alternative Models of Care and Protection for Children in Contact with the Law and the revised National Plan of Action for Persons with Disabilities.

115.As a new approach to ensure child participation a Children’s Poll was conducted in 2005. Children’s voices on various issues that affect their lives were collected through this event. About 4,500 boys and girls between 9 and 18 years were interviewed. From the opinion poll it was found that more than four-fifths of the children lived in their parent’s house while the others lived in rented or employers’ accommodation. Facilities in their accommodation were poor with almost one third living without an electrical connection and more than one quarter without safe drinking water. Almost half did not have sanitary latrine facilities and 5 percent of households had no latrine at all.

116.In 2004, a National Children’s Conference was organized by MoWCA in collaboration with Save the Children Alliance and UNICEF. A total of 1,000 children participated in the conference to discuss the rights of the children, the NPA-SEACT and the Concluding Observations. They were also provided with an orientation on life skills to strengthen their self‑esteem, confidence and critical thinking and generated views and suggestions from children on their role in promoting Life Skills Based Education (LSBE) and disseminating the Concluding Observations.

117.Two Children Consultations also were successfully organized in Dhaka and Rajshahi, for collecting information towards preparation of this Report. They were split into five groups, namely, Basic health and welfare; Education, entertainment and cultural activities; Child labour; Sexual harassment, exploitation and trafficking; and Discrimination with physically challenged and ethnic and minority groups. Their opinions were given due importance in course of preparation of this Report.

118.Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW) instituted Children Council in all three KUKs for children’s participation in the issues/decisions that affect their lives.

IV. CIVIL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

A. Measures taken on the concluding observations

119.The State Party’s response to the Committee’s observation on the second periodic report is that, the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 2004 has been enacted and hereunder 5 Rules have been made in 2006. Accordingly, the State Party has been scaling up the birth registration activities throughout the country in the recent years. The Government plans to achieve 100 percent birth registration by end of 2008 through pursuing new programmes and strategies.

120.The State Party has not yet been able to amend the legislation in respect of name and nationality (issues in connection with passing citizenship to the children from either their father or mother and statelessness). However, a draft bill is under consideration of MoLJPA.

121.The Penal Code has been amended in October 2004, and among others, the age of criminal responsibility has been increased from 7 to 9 years. The joint efforts by government and NGOs resulted in reduction of children in prison, torture by police in the custody, and keeping together with adult prisoners.

122.The benefits of Acid Control and Acid Prevention Acts are yet to be reaped as implementation at field level has not been adequately ensured. GO, NGO and private programmes (for example, by a leading national daily) have been successful to create awareness about acid attacks.

123.With the increased awareness programme, advocacy campaigns and training of teachers, community leaders (including Imams) all forms of corporal punishment in the family, schools and institutions are found to be decreasing. This is revealed in Consultation Meetings including those of children. This shows that an effective awareness-building process is on. Some NGOs have come forward with the programme of salish with emphasis on ensuring justice for the women and children in particular as well as modernizing this traditional system.

B. Name and nationality

124.The Births and Deaths Registration Act was passed in December 2004 and entered into force on 3 July 2006. The Birth and Death Registration Act 1873, and the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act of 1886 were repealed. The new Act requires the birth certificate as a proof of age for services that directly affect child rights, including enrolment in educational institutes, marriage registration and transfer of property, as well as other services. This factor together with the requirement of the birth certificate for certain services is expected to create a high demand for birth registration. The registration will help achieving as many as 16 benefits.

125.Following the Act, the government adopted corresponding Birth and Death Registration Rules for the different administrative levels, namely, Union Parishad (Council), Pourashava (Municipality), City Corporation, Cantonment Boards and Embassies/High Commissions of Bangladesh abroad.

126.The year 2005 has also witnessed some pilot interventions aimed at linking birth registration to health and education sectors, confirming that only by adopting an inter-sectoral strategy the country will be able to register a significant number of children, ensure that they receive their birth certificates and that the certificate is used when accessing other services. The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (MoLGRD&C) with support of UNICEF is implementing the birth registration activities nationwide. A good number of NGOs and Forums are being increasingly involved in the process. Some public hospitals such as Combined Military Hospital (Cantonment Board) are practicing registration of children without fail. To meet the expected demand created by this new Act, training was provided to all 64 district officials. In addition, administrative and communication materials were developed and distributed to all districts for accelerating the activity. 6 July has been declared as Birth Registration Day. In the recent months, the registration performance is improving.

C. Preservation of identity

127.Bangladeshi nationality can be acquired by birth, descent, migration or naturalization. A child’s nationality is based on the nationality of his or her father. Prevailing law also does not allow children with a Bangladeshi mother and a non-Bangladeshi father who were not born in Bangladesh from acquiring their mother’s rather than their father’s nationality and from acquiring dual nationality.

128.Previously only father’s name would suffice, but now-a-days wherever applicable (or deemed necessary) writing both the parents names are mandatory.

129.Bangladesh is not a party to any international or regional refugee instruments, nor does it have any legislative or administrative provisions for political asylum-seekers. However, there exists tradition of providing refuge to persons fleeing from their own countries whose human rights are violated there. Support of fundamental human rights and freedoms are guaranteed in the Constitution for instance, asserts that the State shall support oppressed people throughout the world waging a just struggle against imperialism or racism.

130.In 1991/92 some 250,000 Rohinga people from Myanmar sought refuge in Bangladesh. They were given prima facie refugee status and provided with protection and assistance, along with their children with the support of United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). However, among other supports, birth registration of Rohingya refugee children is being properly done.

131.Biharies are the non-Bengali population, most of them opted for Pakistan and migrated from the Indian state of Bihar to the former East Pakistan before and after independence of India and Pakistan. On the emergence of Bangladesh following the War of Independence in 1971, the Urdu speaking Biharies again opted for Pakistan. The children of the “Biharies”represent the largest group of stateless children in Bangladesh.

D. Freedom of expression

132.The press in Bangladesh is very large, active and keen on development issues. Bangladesh enjoys a reasonably free print media with hundreds of daily and weekly publications providing a forum for wide range of views. Press here also enjoys a strong lobbying role and has the potential to play an important part in setting the agenda for development and political issues. The Bangladesh press is very supportive to children’s causes and devotes considerable space on reporting child rights and development issues. An initiative called Shishu Prakash, a children’s news agency which empowers 640 young reporters through out the country.

133.Apart from government-owned Radio (Bangladesh Betar) and Bangladesh Television (BTV) there exists private radio and satellite channels. Around 10 private TV channels and 4 radio stations (FM band) are in operation, including a good number of international ones. Radio is still very popular in rural areas and is probably the only medium that reaches the grass root people in times of emergency and disasters. Bangladesh Betar has 10 stations nationwide. BTV is the state owned channel and therefore pursues the government development policies and programmes. BTV still has the largest audience in Bangladesh estimated at more than 50 percent. BTV telecasts programmes on rights of children in collaboration with different agencies. BTV airs 25-minute daily programmes and 3 to 5 minutes of public service spots on priority messages for children and women. BTV programmes have increased child participation. BTV produced public service spot on Vitamin A Plus and also airs regularly Meena episodes.

134.In recent years UNICEF, ILO, USAID and organizations working with children have taken initiatives to strengthen partnership with private satellite channels in the country, covering, among others, the issues of child labour, child rights, birth registration, girls’ education and others. A UNICEF sponsored documentary produced by ATN Bangla won the prestigious Emmy Award in 2004. Also efforts are underway to launch a Children Television Foundation to build institutional capacity for high quality children’s programming on television channels.

135.DFP produced a 25-minute film combining various health messages and also developed another film on arsenic mitigation. BSS is also producing features on development issues relating to children and women. The PID gave cartoons a new dimension by incorporating important messages on child marriage.

136.Both print and electronic media ventured out of the conventional studio-based formats towards community-based, participatory and interactive programmes to promote children’s participation in media. International Children’s Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) is observed regularly and feature programmes produced by children in Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar (radio). An innovative launch of the State of the World ’ s Children 2003 report was marked by stimulating intergenerational dialogue on the importance of children’s participation in decisions that affect their life. The launch brought adult and children together in a panel discussion in which adolescents shared their practical experiences from being involved in child-centred initiatives.

137.Interaction with children and young people on issues like poor sanitation and HIV/AIDS helped to get their views on important subjects. BTV gives children opportunity to articulate their views on issues that have a direct impact on their lives. Some private satellite television channels, telecast programmes produced by young children with technical support of the channels. However, all the channels regularly air children’s programmes.

E. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

138.Citizens’ rights to freedom of thought and conscience are guaranteed in the Constitution and also respected in practice.

139.The fundamental right of citizens to profess and practise any religion, subject to law, public order and morality, is recognized by the Constitution. The Constitution reflects the existence of and a tolerance towards different religions in the country. The Muslims constitute the majority population in the country. The constitution ensures the right to practice rituals of all religions in peace and harmony.

140.Pursuant to the spirit of the Constitution there is a provision that exempts students from the obligation to receive religious instruction or attend or take part in any religious ceremony or worship that relates to a religion other than their own. The Government’s policy on this issue is to arrange separate religious studies classes for children from different religions in primary and secondary schools. Teachers’ training includes curriculum of all four major religions.

141.The sanctity of all religions (including places of worship, sacred objects and religious ceremonies) is preserved under a series of provisions in the Penal Code which impose criminal sanctions for insulting the religion or wounding/outraging the religious feelings of any community through certain specified acts.

F. Freedom of association and peaceful assembly

142.Bangladesh has a large number of children’s and youth organizations. They are located throughout the country, the largest having as many as 500 branches. Many children’s organizations pursue programmes aimed at promoting the all-round development of children, while others have more specialized aims and activities. The members of these organizations tend to come from families of higher socio-economic status. NGOs provide equivalent opportunities for many disadvantaged children. Two major Networks of NGOs in the country also facilitate organizing children through their partners and affiliated organizations involved in promoting child rights and their welfare. There are several similar organizations involved in promoting children’s association and their rights, organize children rally, socio-cultural activities, observing special day. During the period 2001-2005, a UNICEF-supported project increased the life choices of 50,000 adolescent girls through the creation and empowerment of adolescent girls’ groups. Some group members also received livelihood training and most received training to act as peer educators on discriminatory practices, family life education and post-literacy training. The group members participated actively in social processes and raised issues such as early marriage, gender-violence and discrimination.

Table 4.1

Important children associations/organizations

Name of the organization	Year established	Children involved (#)	Activities
Child brigade	1995	Regular-70Filed member:500-600	Dhaka city basedprotection of the children, education, health, child led advocacy, working children movement
ICHCHEY media	2003	Regular: 80 Field member: 800 to 900	Dhaka and Chittagong based. Producing film on children issue, community show and dialogue. Publish monthly news paper, theatre for development, child led advocacy, webpage development and communication, facilitation and monitoring violence against children
Bhorer Alo	2005	Regular: 50Filed member 100	Education and advocacy through theatre (Dhaka city based)
Shishu Parishad	1990	Regular-2220 filed member 67,500
National childrentask force	2004	3,904
Child journalist group	2005	145
Child parliament group	2004	128
Workingchildren forum	2005	2,738	Working for the better working environment in workplaces
Community based children organization (child clubs)	1999	Total number of children organization is 167. Total member is 39,299	Monitoring CRC, child led advocacy at community level, organise TfD, working children movement (Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshai, Netrokona, Kurigram)
Childrencouncils	2006	Three councils of 5+7+8 members elected by the children living in the centres	Tongi, Konabari and Jessore (representative council of the children in KUKs)

Source: Save the Children Alliance.

G. Protection of privacy

143.Children come into contact with the law for a variety of reasons and are susceptible to victimisation by the legal process and its enforcement agencies. This happens more frequently in case of street children.

144.The Children Act, 1974 and The Children Rules, 1976 have been enacted and made for the protection of children who come into contact with the law as well as to protect other children. Some provisions of the Act are totally in line with CRC and International standard on juvenile justice, but some are not. The Vagrancy Act, 1943 is intended to be used for the benefits of the street children. However, there have been allegations that homeless and street children, instead of being protected, are rounded up by the police and detained with adult criminals. The practice of taking vagrant and street children into custody essentially criminalises impoverished and vulnerable children. The Government is in the process of reviewing the Vagrancy Act, 1943 and the Children Act, 1974 for possible amendments, which will make it more progressive and effective for the children.

145.Child witnesses to crime experience several vulnerabilities, including intense and unsupervised interrogation by the police. A judge or magistrate may also place women and children victims to protective custody, in a jail or state institution. This power is often exercised with children who have been arrested as “vagrants”, rape and sexual assault victims, those rescued from brothels and traffickers, abandoned children, or those who have eloped.

146.The legal age ofcriminal responsibility is a major problem in the administration of juvenile justice. The CRC and the Beijing Rules require states to establish a minimum age, below which children cannot be held criminally responsible. In Bangladesh, the minimum age has is now only nine years. The absence of appropriate and effective birth registration system also presents problems in proving a child’s age, which limits efforts to ensure their protection and enforce their rights. It is recognized that law enforcement and legislative authorities will require becoming more child-friendly.

147.CRC requires State Parties to guarantee the right to privacy of children and to prosecute those who violate this right. While this right is for all children, it is particularly important for children who are vulnerable, such as children involved with the law. In Bangladesh, though reduced over the years through government initiatives and NGO advocacy programmes, however, at times there are media reports with address and photograph of the child victims.

H. Access to appropriate information

148.In the NPA, 2005-2010, one of the important cross-cutting themes is “providing children with the information and skills they need to make informed choices on their well-being and development”. This would “ensure that children have access to information and skills development opportunities inside and outside of school”. Not only there are a shortage of appropriate information, the access to information is generally low in the country, significantly low to the poorer and marginalized people, children in particular. However, some progress has been achieved in the recent years following implementation of a host of activities/programmes.

149.Bangladesh Betar (Radio) broadcasts regular programmes for children and women. Messages in the forms of jingles, songs, short-dramas and discussions are disseminated during special events such as the World TB Day, National Nutrition Week, Safe Motherhood Day, Breastfeeding Week, Meena Day and CRC Week. It also carries public service spots on health, hygiene, education, social advancement related messages.

150.The DMC continues to work in the field. It has been using community-based mobilisation activities like court-yard meetings, films and cultural shows on birth registration, arsenic mitigation and EPI.

151.PIB continues to train print media journalists and gear up feature service to promote rights‑based reporting on children and women issues.

152.DFP produced two short films on birth registration and arsenic contamination of water, to help raise awareness on these two important development issues.

153.PID took lead in organising press briefings during a regional conference on sanitation to facilitate media’s active involvement. It published a book with compilation of joint PID-UNCEF features in national dailies. PID also gave cartoons a new dimension by incorporating important messages on child marriage. NIMCO continued its training activities on various child rights issues for electronic media personnel.

154.The issue of HIV&AIDS received wider media attention in recent years. Two roundtables on HIV&AIDS prevention were arranged with two leading daily newspapers. The roundtables culminated in the publication of one full-page spread each by both papers on World AIDS Day featuring salient points of the discussion. Another roundtable with a leading daily newspaper was conducted on indoor air pollution.

155.Bangladesh launched a big campaign relating to South Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN) in 2004. Media support included workshops, briefing and follow-up resulting in overwhelming media coverage on this regional event that brought together nine South Asian countries.

156.The workshop on Early Childhood Development (ECD) brought young journalists from various media to workout innovative and creative strategies for promotion of ECD. Another workshop on Meena Initiative brought useful suggestions from experts on the field for promotion of new and emerging messages on child development issues.

157.The State of the World ’ s Children Report 2006 was launched nationwide. The launch was done in a festive manner participated by 150 children. Children representing the theme of the report, the invisible and the excluded shared their real life experience at the event.

158.There are currently 68 Government public libraries in Bangladesh and hundreds of non‑government public libraries. The Government libraries are located in all districts and divisional head quarters. The National Public Library and Chittagong Divisional Public Library have separate children’s sections; other Government Public Libraries have a children’s corner within the main reading room. Community libraries exist in cities and towns around the country. Children’s corners have been established in 25 community development libraries around the country under a UNICEF-supported pilot project.

159.A leading book-reading and library focused NGO has set up a central library at Dhaka and 28 mobile Library Units across 42 districts. In enrolling readers, children are given priority in these mobile libraries.

160.In Bangladesh, it should be mentioned, regulation exists in relation to publications and censorship on films for protecting the citizens against harmful information and materials. Common grounds for censoring or banning films and publications include obscenity and offence to religious sentiment. There is no restriction on access to the Internet. Satellite Television Channels are operating in the country with minimum regulations.

I.The right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman ordegrading treatment or punishment, including corporal punishment

161.The Penal Code, 1860 contains a number of different sections which protect individuals against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The Constitution guarantees protection of all citizens against torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment. Children are however, subjected to torture and physical punishment. Child beating is practiced to discipline children in the family, schools, work place and religious institutions and in village salish (mediation). However this is being decreased since 2000 as reflected in Consultation Meetings on this Report.

162.The Government is fully aware of the problem and taking necessary measures through different means to overcome the situation. Motivational training is provided to teachers, police, judges and others concerned. Awareness creation programme with the support of NGOs for parents/guardians and communities are also undertaken.

163.Rape and sexual assaults are committed against young women and girls. Issues related to rape and sexual assault are the difficulties of arranging a timely medical examination, the production of witnesses, receiving community support, and dealing with social stigma, which in turn discourages reporting of the crime. Bangladesh Health and Injury Survey (BHIS), 2003 reveals that suicide is a problem in the country, particularly for children ages 15 to 17.

164.One particular form of violence is acid attacks which have traumatic consequences, scarring the victims physically and damaging psychologically and socially for life. Acid attacks are mainly a crime against children and young women, although more recently, boys and young men have also been targets of this crime. The overwhelming majority of the victims are young women. The enactment of The Acid Control Act, 2002 and The Acid Crimes Prevention Act, 2002 helps deal with the issue. The One-Stop-Crisis Centres in Dhaka and other divisional head quarters have been introduced together with a Hotline System for women vulnerable to violence. Some NGOs have undertaken programmes on prevention and post attack services for the victims and also awareness building activities. One national daily is also working for the purpose throughout the country with special focus on awareness creation and supporting the victims towards social integration.

165.There have been some positive outcomes in the juvenile justice area. For instance, training materials on juvenile justice were prepared and translated from English to Bangla, which include the Hand Book for Police and Bench Books for Judges and Magistrates on Children in contact with the Juvenile Justice System. Moreover, the international instruments on juvenile justice and non custodial measures, also translated from English to Bangla, have been printed for wider dissemination. All these materials on juvenile justice are intended to be used for building capacity of the key stakeholders in juvenile justice.

166.Several projects deal with issues, such as capacity building of training institutes for the police, magistrates and judges and concerned ministries. Training workshops on modern trends in juvenile justice are often organized for the judges, magistrates, police lawyers and other concern persons. With government support several NGOs are working to mitigate local disputes and modernizing S alish system. This results in decrease in torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in the rural communities.

V. FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND ALTERNATIVE CARE

A. Measures taken on the concluding observations

167.The State Party has significantly enhanced the provisions and capacity of shelter, orphanage, baby home, etc to accommodate more children deprived of family environment. In KUK, large number children in conflict with the law are housed. There is a plan to increase the number and to improve the environment of the existing KUKs. An initiative has been taken for assessment of children in institutions in order to develop minimum care standards and alternative care for the children without parental care.

168.The State Party has not yet established a legal provision for domestic and international adoption of children. Also it has not considered being a party to the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Inter-country adoptions.

169.The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) took a leading role in repatriation of children who worked as camel jockeys in Middle East. With the support of UNICEF and some NGOs, the Government has repatriated over 200 children formerly involved in camel racing in UAE. Of them, almost all were reintegrated in their families, and others are in the process of being rehabilitated. With the assistance of UAE Government, financial assistances are being provided. MoHA is extending this initiative to further support to the families of these children to strengthen their social reintegration and simultaneously a child protection mechanism will be developed in 65 Upazilas where the children were reintegrated.

170.Presently a process of amendment of the Children Act, 1974 is on. The proposed amendment will review the KUK issues also. Under Suppression of Violence against Women and Children Act, 2000 (as amended in 2003), 42 Special Tribunals have been established in 33 districts for trying cases only relating to violence against women and children including trafficking. This initiative was taken to facilitate the quick disposal of cases related to violence against women and children.

171.Large-scale awareness campaigns are underway by television drama, jingles, street theatre, and other types of mass awareness methods to promote behavioural change and make stakeholders aware about CRC including child protection, care and related issues.

172.The Government is modernizing the police administration through “model thana (police station) development” concept in making the police people-friendly. Based on the experiences, the concept will be replicated throughout the country. It is believed that the children issues will be addressed with special care under the initiative.

173.The State Party with support from UNICEF is commencing initiatives to strengthen Department of Social Services through training and motivation of relevant officials on reintegration methodologies and proactive social work concept. Besides, capacity development of staff of KUK and vagrant homes on child-friendly behaviour is under way.

174.Through the Early Childhood Development Project,the State Party is trying to enhance the caregivers’ (parents/guardians) knowledge and skills towards optimal development of their children.

B. Parental guidance

175.In Bangladesh, although children mostly live with their parents, about 10 per cent of households are headed by women meaning that children belonging to mothers/women as heads of the households, permanently or temporarily, are deprived of care from fathers.

176.As per MICS 2006, 5.8 percent of the children below 18 years have either one parent alive or both parents dead. Again, 5.6 percent of the children are not living with their parents. It has been found that double orphans are disadvantaged compared to the non-orphaned children in terms of school attendance.

177.However, the same survey shows that a big percentage of women are married at an early age. The data show that nationally, about 33 percent of girls aged below 15 years and 74 percent below 18 years are married. In rural areas, the rate was 78.4 percent and in urban areas 65.4 percent. Among the tribal population, the rate of child marriage is somewhat low (44 percent).

178.Information on activities that support early learning was collected in the MICS 2006. These included the involvement of adults with children in the following activities: reading books or looking at picture books, telling stories, singing songs, taking children outside the home, compound or yard, playing with children, and spending time with children naming, counting, or drawing things.

179.The survey shows that for almost half (47.5 percent) of under-five children, an adult engaged in more than four activities that promote learning and school readiness during the 3 days preceding the survey. The average number of activities that adults engaged with children was 3.4. The data also indicates that the father’s involvement in such activities was quite high. Father’s involvement with one or more activities was 50.3 percent. Nationally, 8.4 percent of children were living in a household without their natural fathers. There is no gender differentials in terms of adult activities with children as well as fathers engaged in activities with children. Larger proportions of adults engaged in learning and school readiness activities with children in urban areas (56.4 percent) than in rural areas (44.3 percent). There is a positive correlation between educational levels of parents and care provided to children.

C. Parental responsibilities

180.Under the ECD project, parents were supported in their child-rearing responsibilities through different mechanisms such as orientation of field level health workers, teachers and NGOs. Mass media communication activities enhanced caregivers’ knowledge and skills to enable them to support the optimal development of the children. A similar new project with an added focus on institutional learning opportunities has recently been launched.

181.Early marriage takes place mostly due to irresponsible behaviour of parents. The Government has launched a campaign to stop early marriage. The interventions include advocacy, campaign and publicity through electronic and print media. For example, Ministry of Information has produced and telecasted 20 short dramas on early marriage. A number of NGOs are also working against early marriage and dowry.

182.The Government has taken an initiative with technical and financial support from UNICEF for capacity building of Government and relevant NGO officials on reintegration methodologies and proactive social work. This aims at family and community based social support mechanisms with a view to strengthening social work system. Besides, capacity development of staff on child-friendly behaviour is under way to improve situation in child development centres and vagrant homes.

D. Separation from parents

183.As per Population Census, 2001, about one-tenth of the households in Bangladesh are headed by women. This is because of death of father, divorce and separation or abandonment by their fathers. As has been found from MICS 2006, about 6 percent of the children have either one or both parents dead. This forces children to land in an orphanage, safe custody, in a relative’s house, Government or NGO homes, school hostels, or if from a poor family, often on a street or in the worst case in a brothel. These children are forced to take up work for their own survival and their families. As per Children’s Opinion Poll, 2005, 12.7 percent were working children. Of them, 23 percent worked as an urban worker (construction, transport, paper collector etc.) followed by street vendor (22 percent), rural agricultural worker (19 percent), domestic helper (8 percent) and hotel-boy (6 percent). More than half of the working-children surveyed were working for at least one year. About one-thirds of these children did not have the opportunity to visit their parents as per their need or desire.

E. Family reunification

184.The Government has repatriated more than 200 children who were formerly involved in camel racing in UAE with support from UNICEF and some NGOs, and reintegrated them. UNICEF Bangladesh provided technical, advisory and financial support to this process. This is one of the major achievements of the State Party during 2005. The Government, NGOs and UNICEF remain committed to their full rehabilitation. To achieve their full rehabilitation into society, Community Care Committee (CCC) was established. All repatriated children have been provided with medical care, psycho-social, legal and financial supports.

F. Recovery of maintenance for the child

185.There is a hierarchy of financial responsibility for children which is conditional on the person concerned having sufficient means: the father bears primary responsibility for maintenance, followed by the paternal grandfather. Liability for maintenance is unaffected by custody arrangements. Action can be taken under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 to recover proper maintenance against a father (with sufficient means) who fails to maintain his legitimate and illegitimate children. As per the Family Courts Ordinance, 1985 parents are liable to maintain their sons until they reach puberty (and beyond if they are sick or disabled) and their daughters until marriage.

186.The Suppression of Violence against Women and Children Act, 2000 (as amended in 2003) provides imposing on the father of a child born as a result of rape, responsibility for maintaining the child. This obligation continues for boys until the age of 21 and for girls until marriage. Where the child suffers from some kind of disability, the duty to maintain continues until this child is able to maintain himself/herself. However, the full benefit of the provision cannot be derived by the children due to some socio-cultural factors.

G. Children deprived of a family environment

187.In Bangladesh, 5.6 percent of the children are not living with their parents. Of them, 2.9 percent are males and 8.3 percent are females. In one southern district, the lowest percentage of children (72.1 percent) is living with both their parents. In this district, 19.4 percent of children live with their mother although father is alive. This may happen due to out-migration of fathers at great numbers for economic reasons. Again, 0.4 percent of children aged 10-14 have lost both parents. Among those 66 percent are currently attending school. Among the children aged 10-14 who have not lost any parent and who live with at least one parent, 87.9 percent are attending school (MICS 2006).

188.Abandoned and destitute children: Destitute children having no home or family are particularly susceptible to violence and exploitation. Often abandoned at birth, these children have little option but to live off the streets where they are compelled to live and work in exploitative conditions. Children born out of wedlock or born to rape victims are more likely to suffer abandonment than others. While social and religious taboos compel young unmarried mothers to discard their children, deteriorating economic conditions are increasingly forcing families to abandon their children. Due to divorce or subsequent marriage of their parents or polygamy, children are also abandoned. Children who lose their parents through death or desertion experience a similar plight. Having no option these children adopt sordid lifestyles and resort to different anti-social activities. These children live on the streets, railway and bus stations, shopping centres, parks and other places. Abuse and exploitation by adults is an everyday feature for these children.

189.Orphaned children: An orphan is defined by the Orphanages and Widows Home Act,  1944 as a boy or girl under 18 years of age who lost his/her father or has been abandoned by his/her parents or guardians. Accordingly, all the children admitted into orphanages may not be totally parentless in the strict sense of the term. There is no reliable statistics on orphans and orphanages. The registered orphanages provide services to about 50,000 orphans and abandoned children. This is indeed a very small proportion compared to the estimated number of orphans. Devoid of parental support and care orphans are vulnerable to hazardous child labour, HIV, trafficking, physical and sexual exploitation. In case of orphaned girls, the risks of early marriage, abortion, sexual exploitation and other forms of violence are high.

190.Child victims of natural calamities: Bangladesh has long been associated with extreme vulnerability to natural disaster. Natural disasters have their roots in the nature of its terrain, the physical geographic features, its long coastline and the tropical climate. Flood is a regular phenomenon in the country with severe flooding occurring every five to ten years.

191.Disaster causes loss of assets, physical infrastructure, lives of human being and animals, among others. Women and children are worst sufferers of disasters. Acute poverty, recurrent natural calamities (such as river erosion, flood and cyclone) and other crisis situations often lead to displacement of child populations in huge numbers. Many of them ultimately find themselves catapulted from the relatively serene rural surroundings to the more complex urban scenario where they are forced to live and work in adverse conditions. However, due to significant investment in disaster preparedness including the development of early warning system and creation of wide network of flood and cyclone shelters, there has been a significant decrease in the loss of lives and property lost each year. However, natural disasters are still responsible for significant property losses with grave consequences for the poor. Areas prone to natural disasters are found to have higher incidence of poverty. In 2004, Bangladesh experienced a most devastating flood since 1998, though in terms of death 1988 flood was most damaging. Out of 64 districts of the country, 42 districts were affected by flood (Table-5.1). About one-fourth of the population of the country were affected.

Table 5.1

Comparison of flood damage

Indicators	1988	1998	2004
Inundated area (%)	61	68	40-60
Flood duration (days)	23	72	21
Persons affected (million)	45	31	30
Total deaths (persons)	2 335	918	876

Source: UN CCA, 2005.

192.The Ministry of Food and Disaster Management has undertaken a set of measures to manage the disasters in an effective manner. Most important ones are adopting a Disaster Management Policy, a five-year Strategic Plan for the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme, CDMP (2004-2008), supported by development partners like UNDP, EC and DFID. In addition to Government, NGOs/CBOs and communities also actively participate in disaster preparedness, management and post-disaster (rehabilitation) activities.

193.Children with disabilities: No comprehensive survey on disability has so far been conducted in Bangladesh. Findings of different partial surveys or supplementary information of other surveys indicate a range of 10-18 percent Persons with Disability (PWDs) in Bangladesh.

194.Children with disabilities are subjected to various discriminatory practices from the moment of their birth. Considered a social and economic encumbrance, children with disabilities experience prejudicial treatment in terms of family entitlements, learning opportunities, health services and equal opportunities to develop individual capacities. Girls are generally the worst suffers. Government has undertaken various measures to address the problems of persons/children with disabilities, in some cases in collaboration with NGOs/CBOs and development partners.

H. Adoption

195.In Bangladesh no civil law regarding adoption exists. Majority population of Bangladesh are Muslim and most of their family affairs are guided by Muslim personal law. The Muslim Law in general does not allow adoption, but Hindu Law as well as Christian and Buddhist traditions do. However, in particular Hindu law contains many restrictions that are not compatible with the CRC. Persons, who cannot adopt, may take a child under his or her guardianship as per the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890. Only a citizen of Bangladesh can be declared a guardian of a Bangladeshi “minor”. The fact that adoption is not permitted under Islamic law does not exclude the possibility of a child being fostered by a Muslim family. While Islam does not recognize adoption, it does allow an individual to take charge of a child and provide for his or her maintenance (Kafala). The child fostered enjoys no inheritance right.

196.Alternative care is provided by the Government in the following facilities, which are run by the Ministry of Social Welfare:

85 orphanages (capacity 10,300 children)

6 Baby Homes, one each in Divisional HQs (capacity 550 children) for abandoned children aged 1 to 5 years (3 developed with capacity of 300 in 2003)

3 Kishore Unnayan Kendra, KUK (Adolescent Development Centres) with the total capacity of 500 (one developed with 150-capacity in 2002)

6 Destitute and Vagrant Centre (1,900 children capacity)

3 Shihu Paribar (child family) in 3 hill districts (one developed during the Reporting period)

6 Safe Homes with 400 capacity (all developed in 2003 to 2006)

2 homes (capacity 500 children) for the training and rehabilitation of destitute children (further home planned which will accommodate an additional 500 children)

197.Efforts are being made to transform orphanages into a more family-like environment following the model established by the NGO-run SOS Children’s Villages. Twenty-six 、orphanages have initially been selected under this initiative. Under the Budget of Fiscal 2007/08, the provision of subsistence allowance of children of orphanages and safe home etc has been further enhanced. The MoSW, as mentioned earlier, has been implementing a project to improve the situation of street children through its Appropriate Resources for Improving Street Children’s Environment (ARISE) project. Presently another project called PCAR supported by UNICEF with some new focuses has been launched.

I. Illicit transfer and non-return

198.Despite intermarriage between Bangladeshi nationals and nationals of other countries and the existence of large Bangladeshi communities in a number of countries outside Bangladesh, the country in rare occasions face problems relating to the illicit transfer and non-return of children. In 1972, following Liberation, some children were sold, transported or adopted misusing the Bangladesh Abandoned Children (Special Provision) Order. Subsequently, the Order was repealed.

199.Bangladesh is neither a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction nor to any other bilateral or multilateral agreements in this area. Most reported children used as camel jockeys are brought back home, and reintegrated.

J.Abuse and neglect, physical and psychological recoveryand social reintegration

200.As per the Children’s Act 1974, it is an offence to assault, ill-treat, neglect or abandon a child. Under the Suppression of Violence Against Women and Children Act 2000 (as amended in 2003) 42 Special Tribunals have been established in 33 districts of the country and a Special Judge has been posted to each tribunal for trying cases only relating to violence against women and children including trafficking in them. Forty two (Special) Public Prosecutors have been designated in 42 tribunals for conducting these cases. A Deputy Attorney General has been designated for dealing with cases in trafficking in women and children at the national level. This initiative was taken to facilitate the quick disposal of cases related to trafficking in women and children.

201.The Government is planning to improve the whole gamut of police administration of the country. Among others, “model thana (police station) development” concept would be tried to “standardize” or “rationalize” the police in terms of bringing behavioural change and making them people-friendly. Based on the experiences, the concept will be replicated throughout the country. It is believed that the children issues will be addressed with special care under the initiative.

202.Large-scale awareness campaigns and programmes were undertaken by both GO and NGOs on issues related to CRC including abuse, violence, neglect etc. Television drama, jingles, street theatre, and other types of mass awareness methods are used to promote behavioural change.

K. Periodic review of placement

203.Children come into contact with the law for a variety of reasons. As per the Children Act 1974, child offenders can be ordered to be placed with a certified institute or an approved home. However, children are susceptible to abuse. This is likely to be the fate of the street children who are detained by the police on the pretext of being a “vagrant”. Children found homeless and taken by the police are often confined in vagrant homes and shelters.

204.Though significantly reduced in the recent years, there are children in the Jails, with mothers, and with adult prisoners in some cases. The environment of these homes and shelters are being attempted to make child-friendly. The Government is in the process of reviewing the Vagrancy Act, 1943, for possible amendments or repealing.

205.The legal age ofcriminal responsibility is a major issue in the administration of juvenile justice. The minimum age of criminal responsibility has been raised from seven to nine years in 2005. The birth registration system is going to be more effective now that the new law has been enacted and other initiatives undertaken mainly with the support of UNICEF and NGOs, both national and international.

206.The Consultation Meetings at Divisional Level organized in connection with this CRC report informed that District Level Task Forces have been constituted to monitor number of children in police custody or in jails and suggest transfer of them, if any, to KUK or any safe home.

VI. BASIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

A. Measures taken on the concluding observations

207.Over the years, the ADP allocation for health sector is increasing, ranging from 8 to 9 percent of the total annual budget since fiscal 2001-02, though in terms of requirement the amount is not adequate.

208.Health Nutrition & Population Sector Programme (HNSP) for improvement of care facilities and accessing them by all, especially poor, women and children in particular are increasingly undertaken and emphasized by the Government. A major milestone for health sector was formulation and approval of National Strategy for Maternal Health in 2001 (under HPNSP as a separate component). A gender-equity strategy was developed to provide direction on gender mainstreaming in the Programme. A Gender Advisory Committee, with representation from MoHFW and other sectors, was established.

209.Safe motherhood is promoted through various initiatives/activities. Capacity building of doctors, nurses and other health workers is a continued process. A cadre of Skilled Birth Attendants (SBAs) are being developed to ensure safe delivery at home. Steady but considerable progress has been made in increasing the coverage of Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC).

210.There has been a steady decline in the infant mortality rate from 87 live births per thousand to 66 in 2000 to 65 per thousand in 2004. Considerable progress in child nutrition has also been made in the recent years. The percentage of children aged 6-59 months with stunting decreased from 48.0 percent in 2000 to 46 percent in 2005; underweight decreased from 51.0 percent in 2000 to 39.7 percent in 2005; and wasting decreased from 17 percent in 1995 to 12 percent in 2000 and remained same in 2005.

211.The valid coverage of fully immunized children (all doses given at right intervals) increased from 52 percent in 2001 to 63 percent in 2003 and to 71 percent in 2006.

212.Almost all children (98 percent) are breastfed at some time in their lives and over 80 percent of children are breastfed still at 20-23 month of age. However, many aspects of infant and young child feeding are far from optimal.

213.The Government’s commitment to responding to HIV&AIDS is demonstrated through the National AIDS Policy. A National Strategic Plan has been approved, and a National AIDS Committee formed. The Government has launched a HIV prevention programme.

214.The Disability Welfare Act was enacted in 2001. A National Foundation for Development of Disabled under the MoSW has been established in January 2001. A policy for PWDs is prepared and under active consideration for approval. All these demonstrate the State party’s intention to promote the cause of PWDs. The Government in its Budget for 2007-08 made provision for special allowance for PWDs including children. New programmes and activities are undertaken and facilities created for them.

B. Survival and development

215.Under Article 6, paragraph 2 of CRC, the State is to ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of every child. While under right to Survival, the State Party is to ensure fundamental requirements for livelihood such as healthcare services, food with adequate nutrition, safe water, sanitation and healthy environment, among others; under Development right the Government is concerned to children’s education, and other enabling environment for full and harmonious development of his or her personality, enjoying leisure, sports and cultural activities. Present situation of the State Party vis-à-vis development/changes during the reporting period in terms of Article 6 is discussed in the following sections of this cluster as well as different sections of the Report.

C. Children with disabilities

216.The National Policy for the Disabled was adopted in 1995 and The Disability Welfare Act was enacted in 2001. A disabled person is defined as a person who loses partially or completely his ability or whose abilities become comparatively lower through physical or mental damage due to disease, accident, and wrong treatment or by all. Disability mainly occurs due to damage in physical, mental, visual and hearing and speech sense. Every disability is divided into three levels: mild, moderate and severe. The policy goes into further details regarding the definition of each type of disability.

217.The Disability Welfare Act, 2001 provides for equal rights for disabled persons. The Act focuses on prevention of disability, treatment, education, rehabilitation, employment, transport accessibility and advocacy for them.

218.There is a lack of reliable data on disability in the country as no comprehensive survey has yet been conducted. However, partial surveys conducted by different organizations give different estimates of number PWDs in the county. According to National Forum of Organizations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD), approximately 14% of the total population has some form of disability. According to Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2000 (BDHS) conducted by BBS, 7.38 males per 1000 population were found have disabilities compared to 4.66 females per 1000.

219.The MICS 2006 found that nationally, 17.5 percent of the 2-9 year old children had one or more reported disabilities. The highest rate varies 14.0 percent to 20.4 percent in different Divisions. There is no urban-rural difference in disability, and it is negatively co-related to age ‑ with increase of children’s age, disability rate falls.

220.Though insufficient compared to the needs, there are Government facilities and programmes, as well as initiatives at NGOs and private levels. The National Foundation for Development of Disabled and Department of Social Services provide both integrated and special services for children with disabilities. The major programmes undertaken and being implemented in association with NGOs/CBOs since 2000 include:

Studies on disabled children and adolescents

Introducing ID cards for PWDs to facilitate movement in the transports and availing health care services

Establishing and operating specialized institutions/centres

Provide vocational training for rehabilitation

Extend Microcredit support

Provide special allowance (under safety net programme) and stipends

221.At present, the following facilities exist under Department of Social Service for persons/children with disabilities:

Seventy four integrated units providing special education to visually-impaired children in secondary schools. Students are supported to learn to read Braille, use an abacus and improve their mobility. Braille books and other aids are supplied. Residential places are available for 10 students per unit

Twelve institutions for children with hearing/visual impairments or physical handicaps providing primary education and pre-vocational training

One institution is providing services for mentally retarded persons

Two institutions/centres for training/rehabilitating physically disabled persons

One training and rehabilitation centre for visually impaired persons

222.Under the proposed Policy for Disability, short, medium and long term actions and measures for providing health education, stipend, training etc to children with disabilities have been articulately outlined. If approved/implemented, it will not only open avenues for these children but will also expedite compliance to CRC.

223.National Foundation for Development of Disabled provides a range of disability-related services. The Foundation is running 10 schools for 770 children with different types of disabilities. In collaboration with an NGO, it is also operating 44 schools with 8,000 retarded students. As recently introduced by the State Party, close to 10,000 students/children with disability will get stipend from the Government.

224.The Foundation also provides support in the form of grants to around 70 schools for providing special health care and rehabilitation supports. It has disbursed Taka 67.8 million (US$ 1.0m) to persons with disability through NGOs as grant or credit during 2002-03 to 2005‑06. The major share of the funds is being utilized in rehabilitation and healthcare and livelihood development of children with disabilities. In addition, up to 2005/06 the Foundation has distributed Taka 49.14 million (US$ 0.70m) to NGOs/organizations for treatment of disabled children.

225.The Government and NGOs have made contributions to the process of awareness building through communication campaign. This boldly challenges perceived notions about the capacities and participation of children with disabilities in all aspects of life. PWDs have been participating in games and sports organized both nationally and internationally. Every year the Disability Dayis observed, highlighting the issues that raise awareness.

D. Health and health services

Sectoral policies and overview

226.The Government is constitutionally committed to “the supply of basic medical requirements to all levels of the people in the society” and the “improvement of nutrition of the people and public health”. In 2002, it proclaimed the National Health Policy, which is a pro‑people policy with a focus on women, children and the poor. It is also committed to implement the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICDP), 1994, and its review in 1999. The fundamental objective of the National Health Policy is to ensure health services for all, and to reduce population growth. The policy of providing health care is based on the principles of universal coverage and accessibility; optimum utilisation and the development of human resources; appropriate use of technology; gender equity; improvement of the quality of life; priority services for most vulnerable groups; and, promotion of health as an integral part of overall development.

227.A major milestone for the national programme has been the formulation of the National Strategy for Maternal Health in 2001, a comprehensive plan to ensure safe motherhood. The Programme Implementation Plan of the HNPSP has also reflected the priorities of this strategy. A Gender Equity Strategy was developed to provide direction on gender mainstreaming in the HNPSP. A Gender Advisory Committee, with representation from MoHFW and other sectors, was established to support improvement of the health of women and children.

Major government programmes

228.Under Government’s HNPSP 2003-2010, the following healthcare interventions for children are being implemented.

229.Essential Services Package - child health care: The major interventions are EPI, ARI control, diarrhoeal disease control, Integrated Management of Childhood Illness-IMCI, preventive and therapeutic vitamin A supplementation, and school health services. Main activities under Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI) include routine immunisation against seven communicable diseases, EPI disease surveillance, and supplementary immunisation activities (SIA) for measles control and elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT).

230.Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Control: This includes home management through health education and promotion, early detection and treatment of ARI cases by the field workers, training of service providers, and procurement and supply of drugs and equipment.

231.Diarrhoeal Diseases Control (CDD): This includes short-term training on diarrhoea case management, promotion of appropriate home management practices, and prevention and extension of ORT corners in health centres.

232.Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI): The important development in the provisions of child health services has been the adoption and implementation of IMCI Strategy. The integrated approach to child care utilises preventive services of immunization, micro-nutrient supplementation, growth monitoring, counselling on feeding, nutrition, care‑seeking and caring of new born and early stimulation and learning. The MoH&FW has developed a community IMCI strategy to strengthen community-based provisions for 5 priority areas, such as, caring and care-seeking; feeding and nutrition; essential new born care; early childhood development; and preventing drowning.

233.Essential Services Package - reproductive and adolescent health care: This includes Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics Care (CEOC) at all district hospitals and at 40 percent of Upazila Health Complexes, and of Basic Obstetric Care at 60 percent of theses Complexes. Adolescent health activities include: counselling and developing awareness for adolescents on hygienic practices; nutrition; puberty; RTI/STD etc.; de-worming and folic acid supplementation and full immunisation for adolescent girls with 5 dose TT vaccines.

234.National Nutrition Programme (NNP): This covers micronutrient supplementation, universal salt iodization, breast feeding promotion, services for pregnant and lactating mothers, newly wed couples, adolescent girls, Behavioural Communication (BCC) etc.

235.The Government’s commitment to responding to HIV&AIDS is shown through the National AIDS Policy. A National Strategic Plan has been approved, and a National AIDS Committee has been formed. The Government has launched a prevention programme aimed at controlling the spread of HIV infection within vulnerable groups, and to limit its spread to the wider population, without stigmatising or discriminating against vulnerable groups.

236.In 2001, MoHFW adopted the Gender Equity Strategy (GES) to address gender issues in the health sector. A Gender Advisory Committee, with representation from MoHFW and other sectors, was established to support improvement of the health of women and children.

237.Delivery of primary health care services in four major metropolitan cities, Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Khulna, began to improve after 1997, when the Urban Primary Health Care Project (UPHCP) was initiated by the MOLGRD&C with support from ADB, UNFPA and the Nordic Development Fund. In addition to these four major cities, primary health care services have also been provided in the other urban and municipality areas through the NGO Services Delivery Programme (NSDP) funded by USAID and the Support for Basic Services in Urban Areas Project (SBSUAP) funded by UNICEF. The UPHCP also provides reproductive health services through upgraded municipal maternity centres for the provision of comprehensive EmOC services, family planning, and RTI/STD detection and treatment. Under the SBSUAP, primary health care services are given by the Local Government Division of MOLGRD&C as a component of comprehensive package for community development through Urban Development Centres (UDCs).

238.The Government and NGOs undertake nationalcampaigns to increase public awareness on health promotion, disease prevention, polio eradication, vitamin A and iodine supplementation, prevention of injuries, and the care of pregnant women.

Shortfalls and challenges

239.Despite the above programmes, less than 40% of the population has access to modern primary health care services, beyond immunisation and family planning. Overall, Bangladesh spends only 1.2 percent of GDP on health against a WHO target of 5 percent. Health expenditure per capita is barely inadequate to meet expanding health demands in the country (only 12 US$ including US$ 7 private out of pocket against WHO suggested optimum expenditure of $34 per capita per year for the least developed countries). Persons per physician in 2005 were 3,317 against 4043 in 2001. Alongside the Government, about 400 NGOs run 170 hospitals in different parts of the country and these hospitals have about 4,500 beds. Private healthcare facilities are also available in the country and being increasing involved through initiatives like private-public partnership.

Table 6.1

Availability of medical facilities

Year	Hospitals	Hospital beds	Doctor	Nurse	Midwife
Public	Private	Total	Public	Private	Total
1991	610	280	890	27 111	7 242	34 353	21 004	9 655	7 713
1996	645	288	933	29 502	8 025	37 527	27 425	13 830	11 200
2001	670	712	1 382	33 368	12 239	45 607	32 498	18 135	15 798
2005	1 683	N.A	-	51 044	N.A	-	41 933	N.A	N.A

Source: BBS.

240.Health expenditure, according to a study conducted by BIDS in 2001, is disproportionately high among the poorest household, who spend approximately 38 percent of household income on the treatment of illness compared to the richest household who spend only 3.4 percent, suggesting that poor households face significant economic pressure to fiancé treatment, and open to real risk of indebtedness.

241.While there has been progress in disease prevention and control, and a decline in childhood communicable diseases, new and old infectious diseases, such as newer drug resistant tuberculosis, malaria, Dengue and HIV& AIDS are threats to health. The trend of non‑communicable disease such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and injuries are likely to rise in the future.

242.The malaria threat in Bangladesh is deepening in some parts of the country although aggregate statistics suggest a progressive lowering over the last four years to around 1 percent. While 13 of the 64 districts in the country are particularly affected, marginalized community living in remote hill tracts and adjacent districts of East and North East border of the country are more vulnerable. National mechanism to combat malaria is weak due to insufficient resources, poor surveillance, rising drug resistance, prohibitive cost of insecticides and poor community mobilization.

Situation by disease and fields of health

243.Maternal mortality: According to the Bangladesh Maternal Mortality Survey 2001, the maternal mortality ratio is in the range 320-400 per 100,000 live births reduced from 478 in 1990. In 2006, only 35 percent of urban births and 15 percent rural births are assisted by skilled health workers (BBS/UNICEF, 2006), that is of the total deliveries, 88 percent take place at home (by relatives and Traditional Birth Attendants-TBA). MICS 2006 reveals that overall about 66 percent births were delivered by TBA, 11 percent by relatives and friends, and remainder in hospital by skilled personnel.

244.Coverage of antenatal care (by doctor, nurse or midwife) is relatively low in Bangladesh. With 47.7 percent of women receiving antenatal care at least once during pregnancy (MICS 2006). The care varies widely between areas, around 67 percent in urban against 41.2 percent in rural areas and lowest level of antenatal care was found in the tribal areas. The coverage decreases with the increase of the age of woman and it is strongly co-related to educational background and socio economic status of the household. In 2004, the post natal care (PNC) coverage was 17.8 percent only.

245.The health seeking behaviour of women during pregnancy and childbirth is still not up to the expectation, with uneducated and less educated and poorer women being less likely to seek qualified care. Maternal malnutrition, infections during pregnancy, anaemia, and repeated pregnancies, contribute to a high rate of maternal mortality. Poor medical facilities at local level and poverty cause insufficient health seeking attitude in the country. Only about a third of the Union Health Centres are managed by qualified doctors. The frequent transfer of doctors and absenteeism are major concerns.

246.A national strategy for maternal health was adopted in 2001. HNPSP has a separate component on maternal health. Under the Woman Friendly Hospital Initiative (WFHI); aimed at strengthening EmOC services and addressing violence against women; training has been conducted for medical officers and nurses from 31 health facilities. Safe Motherhood Day is observed regularly.

247.Steady but considerable progress has been made in increasing the coverage of EmOC services with an estimated ratio of 1 for every 646,557 persons. A total of 132 EmOC facilities are providing Comprehensive EmOC and another 59 facilities are providing Basic. Met need for EmOC services increased to 13.7 percent in 2005 from 11.9 percent in 2004 and case fatality rate decreased to 1.18 percent in 2005 compared to 1.7 percent in 2004. Health professionals were trained on EmOC services.

248.Family planning: Bangladesh achieved good progress in contraceptive adoption, awareness raising about and controlling of population growth rate. Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) stood at 57 percent in 2005. Total Fertility Rate (TFR) came down from 3.3 in 2001 to 2.5 in 2005. These two important factors, along with drop in infant mortality rate, increased the mean age of first marriage (16 years), increase in female literacy rate and higher female labour participation rate contributed to slower growth rate of population (1.52 percent), which in turn caused by drop in infant mortality.

249.Significant differences exist in the use of Family Planning (FP) methods with CPR among Divisions, 32 to 68.3 percent. One major concern regarding FP methods is that nearly 50 percent of women, who use contraceptives, discontinue within the first year. There are other problems like inadequate addressing of the marginalized and poor people, ineffective policies and programmes such as more dependence on female. The other weaknesses in FP include: shortage of field staff and contraceptives, traditional beliefs and practices.

250.Adolescent reproductive health: Under aged mothers are more likely to suffer severe complications during delivery, resulting in higher mortality and morbidity among themselves and the children. Dowry still remains the core of marriage negotiations and major cause of violence, and early marriage of girl is still high. Early marriage, son-preference and low status of women in the society affect adolescent girls’ nutrition, education and access to health.

251.In Bangladesh indicated that a substantial portion of adolescent and young people are not aware of causes of menstruation, consequences of unprotected sexual activity, STD, HIV&AIDS and availability of treatment facilities. The State Party has therefore identified adolescent health and education both as a priority and challenge, and incorporated this issue in the HNPSP. Health and other related issues of adolescents will be further incorporated in curriculum of secondary education from 2008.

252.Infant and child mortality: Infant and child mortality are key indicators of the care, health and nutrition status of children as well as the social, cultural and economic progress of country. There has been a steady decline in the infant mortality rate from 87 per thousand live births in 1993-94 to 65 per thousand in 2004 (BDHS, 2004). Under-five mortality rate has come down from 133 in 1993-94 to 94 in 2000, further down to 84 per thousand in 2003 (BBS, 2005). There continue to be urban-rural differences in under-five mortality rate (55 in urban areas compared 78 in rural areas per thousand in 2004).

253.Neonatal death rate of 41 per thousand live births (BDHS 2004) is due to three main causes: infections (pneumonia, neonatal sepsis), birth asphyxia and low birth weight (LBW) and preterm delivery.

254.There has been an epidemiological transition of mortality pattern in Bangladesh. Due to the relative decline in deaths caused by infectious diseases, non-infectious causes such as injuries and accidents now are considered to be important factors of child mortality. Study (ICMH and UNICEF, 2003) shows that injuries and accidents contribute to 29 percent of total deaths among children aged 1-4 years.

Table 6.2

Trend in early childhood mortality in Bangladesh, 1993-2004 (per 1,000)

Data source	Approximatereference period	Neonatalmortality	Post-neonatalmortality	Infantmortality	Childmortality	Under-fivemortality
BDHS 2004	1999-2003	41	24	65	24	88
BDHS;1999-2000	1995-1999	42	24	66	30	94
BDHS;1996-1997	1992-1996	48	34	82	37	116
BDHS;1993-1994	1989-1993	52	35	87	50	133

255.In order to reduce deaths from diarrhoea, the oral rehydration therapy (ORT) campaign has been in effect for a long time. The ORT campaign is a regular activity in ORT corners in Government hospitals, EPI outreach sites, and home visits by health workers, throughout the country. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) use during diarrhoea increased from 62 percent in 2000 (BBS/UNICEF 2000) to 68 percent in 2003 (BBS/UNICEF, 2003) to 70 percent in 2006 (BBS/UNICEF, 2006).

256.Immunization: Bangladesh contributes to have a record with regard to immunization coverage. The valid coverage of fully immunized children (all doses given at right intervals) increased from 52 percent in 2001 to 63 percent in 2003 and to 71 percent in 2006 (Coverage Evaluation Survey 2000, 2003 and 2006). Both hepatitis B vaccination and Auto Disposable (AD) syringes have been introduced in 2003. Facility Based Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) activities that began in 2002 cover over 140 of sub-districts (Upazilas) in 2006.

257.There have been various interventions that helped in reduction of mortality rates. Access to vaccination is foremost among them. The BCG coverage was as high as 96 percent in 2003 which went up to 98 percent in 2006. The access to immunization in Bangladesh is very high as seen from the Table below. The rate of measles vaccination was 69 percent in 2003 which went up to 78 percent in 2006. However, it is recognized that the percentage of fully immunized children needs to increase further.

258.National Immunization Day (NID) is being observed for many years very successfully and there was not a single case of confirmed polio in the country between 2001 and 2005. However, several polio cases were detected in 2006 and NIDs have been strengthened. To reduce neonatal deaths due to tetanus, supplementary activities have been carried out. As a result, 86 percent of new-borns are protected at birth against neonatal tetanus. The Government has also introduced from 2003 Hepatitis B vaccination into routine EPI, which has been expanded to all districts from 2005. The following table shows the rate of vaccinations in the country.

Table 6.3

Vaccinations by background characteristics in Bangladesh, 2004 (in per cent)

Background characteristics	BCG	DPT 1	DPT 2	DPT 3	Polio	Polio 1	Polio 2	Polio 3	Measles	All vacc.	No vacc.
Sex	Male	93.4	93.3	88.0	81.2	1.5	97.6	89.1	82.6	75.6	73.4	2.4
Female	93.4	92.9	86.4	80.8	2.3	95.4	87.6	82.0	75.7	72.8	4.1
Residence	Urban	94.2	93.4	90.0	85.7	3.6	96.6	90.8	85.8	82.8	80.9	2.8
Rural	93.2	93.0	86.5	79.8	1.5	96.4	87.7	81.4	73.9	71.1	3.5
Mother’seducation	No education	89.0	88.6	79.0	69.2	0.9	94.4	80.1	70.2	62.3	60.3	5.0
Primary incomplete	94.0	93.4	87.3	81.2	0.6	98.3	88.6	83.2	76.3	72.5	1.7
Primary complete	95.4	95.4	90.6	86.5	2.7	95.6	92.3	87.2	81.1	80.3	4.4
Secondary incomplete	96.3	96.1	93.3	89.8	2.6	97.2	94.5	90.8	85.4	82.2	2.8
Secondary complete or higher	98.8	98.8	98.6	96.8	6.6	98.8	98.8	98.6	94.2	92.2	1.2
Total	93.4	93.1	87.2	81.0	1.9	96.5	88.4	82.3	75.7	73.1	3.3

Source: “Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2004”.

259.Despite these achievements, it is estimated that approximately 1.5 million children remain unprotected with drop out rates between 20 and 30 percent. The difference of vaccination likelihood between urban and rural born children is almost 10%, which may be due to higher accessibility and exposure to healthcare facilities in urban areas. The most striking difference is that when comparing mothers with no education to mothers with secondary or higher education. Even an incomplete primary education can lead to a 12 percent increase of complete vaccination of the offspring, peaking at a 32 percent increase when the mother has secondary or higher education.

260.To strengthen routine immunisation, district and Upazila micro-plans in line with Reaching Every District (RED) approaches and tools were jointly developed with WHO and UNICEF. In addition to extensive training, improvement of cold chain and logistics management has also been brought in.

E. Social security and childcare services and facilities

261.Traditionally, the family and social bondage in Bangladesh is very strong. However, institutionalized social security system is weak. The MoSW provides accommodation and some skill training to a limited number of orphaned, abandoned and destitute children. The State Party has been pursuing a number of Safety Net Programmes (SNPs). The major ones are:

Old age Allowance Scheme

Allowances for the Distressed and Disabled Persons

Allowances for Widowed and Distressed Women

Rural Maintenance Programme (now closed)

Vulnerable Group Development Programme

Rural Infrastructure Development Programme

Food/Cash for Education

Primary Stipend Programme

Female Secondary Stipend Programme

Quantity Rationing

Pilot Project of Maternity Allowance for the Poor Lactating Mothers

Other programmes (mostly tagged with training, self employment generation and micro credit)

262.The target groups under the SNPs are generally the poor, marginalized and socially disadvantaged people, but within them there is wide range of variations. Under Maternity Allowance for the Poor Lactating Mothers Pilot Project, the expecting 45,000 poor mothers are getting an allowance of Taka 300 per month. This is expected to ensure safe motherhood, and better health and nutrition of hard core poor mothers as well as safe birth and sound upbringing of infants.

263.A number of NGOs have begun experimenting with community health insurance scheme that represents a means for extending social protection. The State Party is considering, inter alia, introducing voucher system aiming at providing and ensuring health care services at an affordable cost. Such endeavours (scheme/insurance system) can also provide a means of protecting households from catastrophic (high cost) illness.

264.The subsistence allowance is provided to the children in Orphanages and shelter homes (Shishu Sadan, Shishu Paribar, Chotomoni Nibash etc). Day-care facilities for the children of working mothers, still available only on a small scale, are increasing.

F. Standard of living

265.Article 15 of the Constitution acknowledges the State’s fundamental responsibility to “attain a steady improvement in the material and cultural standard of living of the people” in order to secure the provision of the basic necessities of life, including food, clothing and shelter.

266.The Government and NGOs work side-by-side to support the total development of children in Bangladesh. Efforts to improve the nutritional status of children form part of the Government’s health programme and specially targeted interventions (such as the National Nutrition Programme). Poverty alleviation programmes aimed at parents also have a positive impact on children by increasing the family income and improving the family’s overall standard of living. Various initiatives have also been taken by the Government to improve the housing situation of the poor, for example, through schemes to rehabilitate slum dwellers, and provide housing for landless and low-income families, and most importantly micro credit programmes. Use of sanitary latrine is increasing (close to 80 percent population), 97 percent households have access to improved water sources, the overall safe water coverage is at 75 percent because of naturally occurring arsenic contamination of ground water.

267.Use of telephone, computer and Internet is increasing at a faster rate. Of the total households, 44 percent have electricity. GNP per head is now in the country at US$ 480 and overall HDI rating is increasing gradually.

G. Nutrition and breastfeeding

Nutrition

268.Millions of children in Bangladesh suffer from malnutrition, increasing the possibility of childhood illness and mortality. It is a direct result of the high prevalence of low birth weight (LBW), inadequate dietary intake and diseases, and an indirect result of household food insecurity, inadequate maternal and childcare and poor health services. Other causes of malnutrition include inadequate breastfeeding and infant feeding practices and infectious diseases, including diarrhoea. In all, roughly half the country’s rural households can be considered food insecure. According to the Household Income and Expenditure Surveys roughly poorest 20 percent in 2000 and 19.5 percent in 2005 consume less than 1805 kilo calories, against the minimum caloric requirement set in Bangladesh at 2112 per day. In 2005, total 40.4 percent population consumed less than 2122 kilo calorie, 39.5 percent in rural and 43.2 percent in urban areas.

269.The country has been quite successful in achieving the target in terms of grain production (paddy and wheat), which reached around 27 million Metric Ton (MT). Even with the near self‑sufficiency of food production, food security could not be ensured. There are regional and seasonal disparities in food production and availability. While Dhaka, Khulna and Chittagong are considered to be food deficit areas, in contrast Rajshahi by and large has food surplus. Again, Bangladesh experience two major periods of food shortage, February to March and September to October. Natural calamities, which is quite frequent in the country cause regional and time‑specific food insecurity. Cereal-biased dietary habit is also considered another important reason for food insecurity.

Maternal malnutrition

270.The prevalence of malnutrition LBW is high because adolescent girls and women who do not consume adequate nutritious food during pregnancy. Malnutrition in non-pregnant rural women declined from 54 percent in 1996-7 to 49 percent in 1999-2000, but is still considered high with 35.2 percent in 2005 (BBS). The national average in 2005 was 32.2 percent.

271.Severe anaemia during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal death and or having underweight children. The most common cause is iron deficiency. Other important causes include deficiencies of folic acid and vitamin A, parasitic infections such as hookworms and malaria.

Child malnutrition

272.Children’s malnutrition is reflected on their overall health status particularly in terms of LBW, low childhood growth (stunting), vitamin A deficiency, iodine deficiency disorders and anaemia. However, child’s malnutrition mainly stems from mother’s poor health and nutrition. Bangladesh has made significant progress in child malnutrition in the recent years, as discussed in the following sections.

273.Low Birth Weight and Growth: MICS 2006 indicates that as low as 26.7 percent of infants are estimated to weigh less than 2.5 kg. There are some variations between income group and mother’s education, as MICS suggests, but not between rural and urban areas. Like other developing countries, Bangladesh is not only facing the major challenge of improving child nutrition, but also has been experiencing the problem in weighing children. MICS 2006 shows that only 15.5 percent babies are weighed at birth. However, the overall situation is improving.

274.The percentage of children aged 6-59 months with stunting (low height) decreased from 51 percent in 1995 to 48 percent in 2000 and further to 46.2 percent in 2005; underweight decreased from 57.2 percent in 1995 to 51 percent in 2000 and 39.7 percent in 2005; and wasting (too thin) decreased from 17 percent in 1995 to 12 percent in 2000 and increased to 12.7 percent in 2005 (BBS & UNICEF, 1992, 2000, 2005).

Table 6.4

Nutritional status of children in Bangladesh, 1989-2004 (in percent)

Year	Residence	Height-for-age(Stunting)	Weight-for-height(Wasting)	Weight-for-age(Under weight)
Boys	Girls	Both	Boys	Girls	Both	Boys	Girls	Both
1989-90	National	65.6	65.9	65.4	15.3	13.8	14.4	64.8	67.8	65.8
1995-96	National	51.6	51.2	51.4	15.9	17.3	17.0	56.8	58.1	57.4
Urban	42.0	43.9	42.9	15.6	10.6	13.3	45.4	47.2	46.3
Rural	53.2	52.4	52.8	16.0	18.5	17.2	58.8	59.9	59.3
2000	National	48.4	49.1	48.0	12.0	11.4	12.0	51.3	50.9	51.0
Urban	38.9	37.9	38.5	12.0	9.4	10.9	44.7	39.8	38.5
Rural	50.1	51.3	50.2	12.0	11.8	12.2	52.5	53.0	50.1
2005	National	47.1	45.3	46.2	12.7	12.7	12.7	40.3	39.0	39.7
Urban	38.0	33.7	35.9	10.8	10.8	10.8	30.1	29.7	29.9
Rural	49.4	48.2	48.8	13.0	13.2	13.1	43.0	41.3	42.2

275.Vitamin A deficiency: Bangladesh has reduced vitamin A deficiency over the years. Vitamin-A supplementation of children aged 12-59 months rose from 41 percent in 1993 to 85 percent in 1995, and has been sustained at more than 85 percent throughout the last decade. In 2005, the coverage was 93 percent nationwide, 92 percent in rural areas and 94 percent in urban (CNS 2005). Vitamin A supplementation twice a year, made it possible to maintain the prevalence of night blindness sustained well below the 1 percent threshold that signals a public health problem. The supplementation programme coverage increased mainly because of linking the distribution of Vitamin A capsules with the National Immunization Days (NID). In Bangladesh within the six months as per MICS 2006, some 85 percent children aged 6‑59 months received a high dose vitamin A supplement.

276.Iodine deficiency: Bangladesh is affected by iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Due to universal salt iodization programme, the goitre prevalence decreased from 47percent in 1993 to 18 percent in 1999, and biological iodine deficiency decreased from 69percent in 1993 to 43 percent in 1999 (National IDD Surveys, 1993 and 1999). Household consumption of iodized salt has increased from 14 percent in 1995 to 84 percent in 2006 (MICS 2006).

277.Use of Iodized Salt was lowest in Chittagong Division (77.7 percent) and highest in Khulna Division (93.6 percent) and there is 10percent variation between rural and urban areas. However, the difference between richest and poorest households in terms of consumption of iodized salt is 20 percent.

278.Iron deficiency anaemia: Iron deficiency during pregnancy is a common problem Data from anaemia surveys in urban areas, the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the rest of rural Bangladesh (BBS/UNICEF, 2004), indicated that the prevalence of anaemia is a public health problem in preschool children (49 percent) and pregnant women (46 percent), and a moderate public health problem in non-pregnant women (33 percent) and adolescents (28 percent). The government arranges distribution of iron tablets through regular health programme.

GoB measures in promoting nutrition

279.The Government is committed to achieving food security and nutrition for all. This is reflected in its policies and plans, including the National Agricultural Policy (1999), Comprehensive Food Security Policy (2000) and National Food Policy (2006), all address issues of availability, access and utilisation. Other key Government commitments related to food and nutrition include the NSAPR (2004/05 - 2007/08) and the HNPSP 2003-10.

280.The Government has been implementing the National Nutrition Programme (NNP). This is the successor to the Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Project (BINP), which was operated by the MoHFW from 1995 to 2003. National level services include micronutrient supplementation (iron-foliate and vitamin A), universal salt iodization, and breastfeeding promotion. The NNP also has a Area-Based Community Nutrition (ABCN) services for children under two years, pregnant and lactating women, newly wed couples, and adolescent girls and a Behaviour Change Communication (BCC). ABCN includes growth-monitoring, promotion of supplementary feeding for malnourished and stunted children, special care for LBW infants, micronutrient supplementation, and referral to health services. The BCC component covered all 23,246 nutrition centres in 105 Upazilas with 20 communication materials to disseminate information on nutrition and related issues to pregnant and lactating women, newly wed couples and adolescent girls.

Breastfeeding

281.Bangladesh has a culture of breastfeeding since long. However, many aspects of infant and young child feeding are far from optimal. In order to improve the feeding practices particularly in terms of timing and duration some initiatives have been undertaken. An NGO named Bangladesh Breast Feeding Foundation (BFF) has been working in enhancing and popularizing breast milk in the country. Government and NGOs interventions in the recent years are working for building awareness about different aspects of mother’s milk including benefits of breast feeding. For last couple of years, Bangladesh has been observing Breast Feeding Week, 01 to 08 August.

282.Almost all children (98percent) are breastfed at some time in their lives and over 80 percent of children are still breastfed at 20-23 month of age (NIPORT, 2004). According to MICS 2006, slightly above one-third infants (35 percent) are put to the breast within an hour of birth and four-fifths (82 percent) within a day, and approximately 50 percent of infants are exclusively breastfed up to 3 months and 37.4 percent of children aged less than six months are exclusively breastfed.

283.While colostrum feeding has improved in the past decade, the traditional practice of giving pre-lacteal feeds (48 percent) to the newborn has remained static (BBF, 2005). Other liquids and complementary foods are given too early in the country. Over one in five (22 percent) of infants aged under 6 months and 27 percent of infants aged 6-9 months are bottle-fed (NIPORT, 2004).

H. Environmental conditions including water and sanitation facilities

284.Major environmental concerns of Bangladesh include arsenic contamination of shallow aquifer, air pollution in cities, river water pollution near industrial estates, solid waste, degradation of agricultural soil due to inappropriate use of fertilizer and pesticides, soil erosion, salinity of soil in coastal zones, and deforestation. The underlying causes of these challenges cover a range of issues including proper implementation of policies and regulations. To protect and promote environment, the State Party is trying to integrate national poverty reduction strategies outlined in NSAPR with programmes and policies such as Sustainable Environment Management (SEMP) Project, National Environmental Management Plan (NEMAP) and the Declaration of World Summit of Sustainable Development 2002. In recent years, many NGOs are working for protecting and promoting environment through mainly awareness development and tree plantation in rural areas and waste management programmes in urban areas.

Safe water and sanitation

285.Since 1970s Bangladesh’s drinking water and sanitation policy had focused on the installation and promotion of tube wells resulting over 97 percent of the population have access to safe water. However, progress towards ensuring universal access to safe drinking water took a serious blow with the discovery of arsenic in ground water above WHO recommended standards, dictating downward revision of achievements. About 20 million people are potentially at risk of arsenicosis. The situation in Khulna Division (92 percent) in terms of access to improved water is relatively worse than other Divisions. Integrated data on tube-wells in 269 Upazilas indicate that 30 percent of the wells tested were contaminated (DPHE and DGHS, August 2002). And the figure is increasing everyday with discovery of new contaminated area.

286.About 98 percent of households in Bangladesh, 99 percent in urban and 97 percent in rural areas, have access to drinking water from an improved source. However, because of presence of arsenic contamination in many parts of the country (48 of the 64 districts), the coverage of safe drinking water is reduced to around 75 percent.

287.The Government has a set of interventions for reducing the impact of arsenic in water. Large-scale screening in tube wells is the first thing that identifies tube wells with high level of contamination and seals those. Interventions include water treatment plants, piped water system, surface water treatment plant, installation of deep tube wells, pond sand filters and rain water harvesting systems. By and large, deep tube-wells are free from arsenic contamination. Health workers were trained on identification and management of Arsenicosis patients. A recent survey in 15 Upazilas has shown that awareness regarding arsenic contamination and arsenocosis has risen from 31 percent in 2000, to 72 percent in 2003. The Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project (BAMWSP) has been established for arsenic mitigation.

288.The Government has conducted a Baseline Survey in 2003 where it was found that only 33 percent households were using sanitary latrines. Within 3 years. i.e. at the end of December 2005, as Shown in Table 6.5 below, the country has been able to achieve around 67 percent sanitation coverage. The Table also shows that maximum increase was in rural areas (37 percent), followed by Pouroshava (27 percent) during the period. As of June 2005, 15 Pouroshavas, 20 Upazilas and 444 Union Parishads have achieved 100 percent sanitation coverage (Source: Sanitation Secretariat). Through cooperation with NGOs and development partners access to sanitary latrines and safe water in slums has also increased in the recent years.

Table 6.5

Sanitation coverage (household in %)

Sl #	Area	Baseline in 2003	In 2005
01.	Rural	29	66
02.	Pouroshava/Municipality	53	80
03.	City corporation	70	79
National	33	67

Source: Sanitation Secretariat, 2005.

289.The main reasons behind the success may be attributed to a set of initiatives such as massive camping, decentralization of government institutions, involvement of local bodies along with increase of financial allocations, especially for hardcore poor, incentives and award for better performances, and increasing public-private-NGO partnership. The South Asia Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN), held in Dhaka in October 2003, resulted in Dhaka Declaration of the subsequent commitment of the State Party to achieve 100 percent sanitation coverage by 2010 (against universal coverage outlined in MDG in 2015). Bangladesh also participated in second SACOSAN held in Islamabad, Pakistan during 20-21 September 2006.

290.In 2004, over 5 million people were mobilized for promoting sanitation and hygiene through variety of communication activities including awareness building, training, community participation such as Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) committees in villages, Unions and Upazilas. Some 40,000 students’ brigade have been trained in sanitation and hygiene to carry promotion activities in their own and their neighbours’ homes. Based on community action plans, 4,000 community water facilities and 55,000 water sealed and low-cost latrines have been constructed and some 150 private latrine production centres established.

291.MICS 2006 shows that some 23 percent of child faeces are disposed of safely, with variation among the Divisions but very significant between rural (15 percent) and urban areas (44 percent). There is strong positive correlation between safe disposal and both the education of mothers and socioeconomic status of households.

292.At present the Government, besides BAMWSP, is implementing several projects/ programmes for improving WATSAN situation in the country, in association with a host of development partners and NGOS/CBO and some new programmes/projects are in the pipeline.

I. School health

293.Various channels are used to provide health-related information to children and families. The existing school health clinics are being used as the forum for school health information services. The specific activities are:

Sensitisation and motivation of primary and secondary students for critical child health and reproductive health messages and home practices

Organize school-based vision, hearing and dental examinations for primary school children

Distribute de-worming drugs at primary schools and orient on worm infestation; and

Organize TT-5 campaigns and provide iron-folic acid tablets for senior school girls

294.Capacity building of doctors, nurses and other health workers is a continued process. This strengthens capacity in service provision, referral and networking to increase better case management, address the delays in safe motherhood and inform family planning choices. A cadre of Skilled Birth Attendants (SBAs) are being developed to strengthen safe delivery at home. The Government is going to elaborately incorporate issues related to adolescents’ health in the school curriculum from year 2000.

295.The UNICEF supported School Sanitation and Hygiene Education Project, which improves water supply and sanitation facilities in primary schools and helps students learn better hygiene practices, so that they can then spread the messages through the community. Already 4,800 primary schools covering more than 1 million students have received hygiene education, and 1531 water points and 1485 latrines have been installed.

J. HIV and AIDS

296.The HIV prevalence rate is very low, the Government and the people in general have now become aware of the potential danger of it. Alongside the Government initiatives, the NGOs in good numbers have been participating in response to HIV through the HIV and AIDS Prevention Project (HAPP). Life Skills Based Education (LSBE) Project has also been an important aspect of HIV BCC. Approximately 1100 Rovers from 22 districts, and 1600 scouts from 32 districts, received training on LSBE and HIV prevention. 15,700 scouts and rovers received orientation from trained peers. 600 street children received training on the above topics. More than 2,000 street children received information on HIV from peer educators in Dhaka and Chittagong.

297.In 2005, the National Strategic Plan for HIV&AIDS (2004-2010) was adopted which has prioritized five programme objectives: provision of support and services for priority groups, prevention of vulnerability to HIV infection, promotion of safe practices in the health care system, provision of care and support services for people living with HIV; and minimizing the impact of the HIV epidemic.

298.Bangladesh has a large population of youth and adolescents. This group could be particularly vulnerable to HIV&AIDS mainly due to poor access to information and lack of youth/adolescent friendly services for prevention and care of the disease. According to MICS 2006, 60 percent of adolescent boys (aged 10-19) and 57 percent of adolescent girls heard of HIV & AIDS. Among those who heard of HIV & AIDS, only 52 percent of boys and 34 percent of girls knew that they can protect themselves from HIV by using condom.

VII. EDUCATION, LEISURE, RECREATION AND CULTURE

A. Measures taken on the concluding observations

299.Bangladesh’s success in increasing school enrolment along with closing the gender gap has been one of the most notable achievements in last 15 years. The enrolment rate has substantially increased, maintaining 97 percent since 2002, for undertaking various measures like awareness programme, introduction of stipend, school feeding programme etc, the female enrolment rate being slightly higher than male. Rural urban difference has also reduced substantially. Although commendable progress has been achieved, higher drop out rate and quality of education are still big concerns. The Government is in the process of undertaking different measures to improve the situation.

300.The budget allocation for education has been increasing over the recent years. The State Party with the assistance of UNICEF has implemented Intensive District Approach to Education for All (IDEAL) Project, and later on Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP) with a view to improve quality of education through a wide range of intervention, and most recently through emphasizing Life Skills Based Education (LSBE).Some other projects and measures were undertaken. A total of 35,000 teachers are being recruited nationally by 2007, training programmes are being expanded and new facilities created.

301.For increasing families’ knowledge and awareness about early childhood development, the State Party implemented the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Project. The capacity of the teachers/stakeholders were attempted to enhance for rendering quality education as well as creating child-friendly environment in the schools. With the support of NGOs/CBOs, the State Party is extending services related to parenting education and education for care givers through different programmes across the country. Overall monitoring of educational activities has been strengthened.

302.The age of compulsory education is still as before. However, the age/grade for educational support (mainly in the form of stipend for girl students) and some other facilities have been increased. The State Party has established a Bureau of Non-formal Education in April 2005 and a Non-government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA), and inclusion of teachers’ training component in NRTCA is underway. Madrasah education is being gradually improved and streamlined.

303.New programmes for sanitation at schools have been undertaken; curriculum/syllabus suiting child and adolescent healthcare are being revised for introduction from next session. And a step towards introducing school books on tribal children’s own language, two book for Grade-I students are already prepared in Murma and Bom languages. Those would be introduced in the Bandarban hill district from 2008 academic session on a pilot basis. This is a follow up action after Government’s decision to introducing mother languages of the tribal as medium of instruction for the schools in phases.

B. Education including vocational training and guidance

Overall framework

304.In the Constitution and the international instruments, especially CRC and CEDAW, Bangladesh has committed itself not only to achieve Education For All but also to create an equitable, just, gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory society. Investment in human development is central to sustainable development. The education sector is managed by two Ministries in the country, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME) and the Ministry of Education (MoE).

305.The idea of universal free primary education is very old and due to expanded facilities created for accessing primary education, it occupies a central place because of its presumed impact on poverty reduction. The national commitment to education is reflected through implementation of the World Summit for Children Declaration, Jomtien and Dakar Declarations. The major concerns of Bangladesh child education are: pre-school attendance and school readiness, dropout rate, gender parity and equity, and a challenge to attain better quality of education.

Preschool and early childhood development

306.The MICS 2006 shows that only slightly below 15 percent children aged 36-59 months were attending pre-school. Urban-rural and regional differentials are not so significant, 12.0 percent in urban areas, compared to 16 percent in rural areas. Among children aged 36‑59 months, attendance to pre-school is highest in Khulna division (17 percent), and lowest in Rajshahi division (10 percent). Slightly more girls attend pre-school compared to boys. Differentials by socioeconomic status are not significant but in terms of mother’s education it is quite noteworthy. In case of mothers having no education, only 11 percent of children attend pre‑school while in case of mothers having secondary education or higher, the rate goes up to 20 percent.

307.There have been several initiatives taken by the Government, NGOs and development partners such as: baby classes, within and outside primary schools including satellite schools, need-based school preparedness (pre-reading, pre-writing, and pre-numeracy) skills programmes, pre-school programmes for the disadvantaged, introduction of play groups and kindergarten classes in English medium schools, pre-primary religious education/makhtabs, and literacy skills training in day care centres. MoWCA has started implementing ECD project in 2001 implemented by Bangladesh Shishu Academy (BSA) with the major activities of advocacy, mobilization and communication; Care givers education; School readiness and Networking and Capacity Building of partner organizations. BSA has been implementing the pre-school activities in all 64 districts. Continued advocacy efforts of the ECD Project have generated high prioritisation of early childhood development among Government and other partners. A new similar project titled Early Learning for Development Project (ELDP) has been started with some added focuses.

308.Government primary schools also provide pre-school learning activities. Several NGO/community/individuals have initiated their own pre-primary institutions in collaboration with the Government. One example is the agreement between the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME) and BRAC Education Programme that has opened 15,000 pre-primary schools.

309.The number of advocacy workshops held with the participation of policy and decision makers, service providers and community leaders reached 16,060 in 2005. More than 14,000 frontline workers of the Government and other project partners have been trained to provide caregiver education. A national communication campaign on ECD utilising a wide mix of mass media and interpersonal communicators has been developed for launching at the beginning of 2006.

310.Centre-based group learning activities have been initiated for 20,600 children in selected urban slums and for 20,587 children in three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). An evaluation of the group learning activities in CHT showed positive results in terms of school readiness. The trained frontline workers have provided education to thousands of caregivers.

311.The MoPME is now working for development of a Pre-primary Education Framework. The Working Group constituted for the purpose has already drafted the framework, and awaiting approval for introduction/implementation.

Primary education

312.During the decade of 90s, gross and net enrolment rate, and completion rates at primary level all increased significantly. One of the important factors in this improvement was enactment of Compulsory Primary Education Law in 1990 (for children aged 6 to 10 years). Incentive in the form of ration, stipends, food for education, stipend for around 40 percent poor students in the rural areas, free distribution of books, etc. Primary education is currently provided through eleven different types of institutions, maintaining a gross enrolment rate (GER) of 97 percent since 2002. About 320,000 teachers are presently employed in 78,126 institutions, the teacher student ratio being 1:47 in 2005, compared to 1:55 in 2000. There is variation in the ratio between locations, but classroom over-crowding is quite common in most schools.

Table 7.1

Growth of primary schools, students and teachers

Year	Number of schools	Number of students	Number of teachers	Student/ t eacher ratio
Govt.	Non-govt	Total	% Increase	Total	% Increase	% Girls	Total	% Female
1995	37 710	25 310	63 020	-	17 133 186	-	47.1	258 884	24.2	66.18
2000	37 677	40 455	78 126	8.5	17 659 220	3.1	48.9	320 694	33.8	55.07
2005	37 672	42 725	80 397	2.9	16 225 658	(8.10)	50.1	344 789	36.3	47.00

Source: BANBEIS.

313.The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is also on increase. The NER of children at primary level has increased from 82.7 percent in 2003 to 87.2 percent in 2005.

314.The drop out rate has gone down from 35 percent in 2000 to 33 percent in 2002, further dropped to 32 percent in 2004, indicating that still a large number of students cannot complete the primary education. BBS reports suggest that in 2004, the drop out rate varied between 34 percent of boys against 31 of girls, with slight variation between urban (31 percent) and rural (34 percent). In primary level, repetition rate is 10.5% and attendance rate stands at 77 percent (MoPME).

315.Studies carried out by Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) on primary education provide several important conclusions. These show that access to primary education is found to be highly correlated with family resources and parental education while progression and performance in primary education is significantly correlated with institutional factors i.e. quality of teachers, contact hour, physical infrastructure and school management. It has not been possible to bring all children to school in neither the formal system nor the non-formal stream. Available statistics on exclusion indicate that children never enrolled and children enrolled but dropped out account for nearly one-fifth of the primary school age group.

316.The causes of exclusion are social, economic, physical as well as environmental. Non‑enrolment varies between the regions of the country. The statistics indicate that a significant percentage of boys and girls from below-poverty level families which account for about 40 percent, remain excluded from primary education. Although primary education is officially free and universal, there are other direct costs i.e., admission fee, examination fee, day observation fee, peon fee, utility fees etc. Besides, there are incidental costs, e.g. transport, dress etc.

317.The Government is committed to achieve total enrolment by 2015 with maintaining quality. The Government under the multi year and multi component PEDP-II has adopted a programme approach to address the concerns of primary education with many-fold focus: increasing number of teachers, class room and infrastructure; improving class room environment; enhancing training and other incentives for teacher as well as systemizing teacher recruit procedure and strengthening management practices in the schools.

Table 7.2

Gross enrolment status by poverty and location, 2000 (% of age cohort)

Group	Urban	Rural	National
Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total	Boys	Girls	Total
Poor	81.2	88.8	84.9	82.1	87.3	84.6	82.0	87.5	84.6
Non-poor	104.8	97.3	101.1	99.1	101.8	100.4	100.3	100.8	100.5
Total	93.5	93.3	93.4	88.6	92.7	92.7	90.6	92.8	91.1

Source: World Bank: 2002 World Development Indicators, Washington D.C. and Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics: Population Census 2001, Preliminary Report, Dhaka.

318.One of the important initiatives of the State Party is development of Grade-I level books in two tribal languages, namely Murma and Bom, in cooperation with a national NGO. As a pilot project, local languages would be the medium of instructions for Grade-I students of these tribal groups in Bandarban district in CHT from next academic session (2008). Government has already decided to expand the programme incorporating other tribal languages by phases. Research to this effect is being conducted.

Non-formal education

319.The Government has been implementing massive Non-formal Education (NFE) programme since 1990s, focusing on basic literacy in achieving universal coverage. The Bureau of Non-Formal Education (BNFE) was established by the Government during the Reporting period, and a national non-formal education policy framework has been prepared and approved in January 2006.

320.The Government and over a thousand NGOs, a large number of CBOs and religious institutions provide non-formal education to children. There are several target groups for non‑formal approach, i.e. (a) early child education; (b) basic literacy to targeted groups; (c) adult literacy for male and females; (d) continuing education for neo-literates and (e) skill development for income generation, promotion of quality of life and living and creating civic awareness.

321.The non-formal education that NGOs have generally provided incorporates basic literacy and numeracy for the dropouts or the disadvantaged and adolescents. Some large NGOs have progressed to provide core primary education besides the learning materials and pedagogy they use as supplementary learning materials. The adolescent programme is designed to give the dropouts and disadvantaged a second programme. As mentioned earlier, the cooperation between NGO, CBO and Government has been strengthened to implement and promote the non-formal educational activities. Under an agreement between the MoPME and BRAC, the latter has been operating around 25,000 non-formal schools.

322.The Basic Education for Hard to Reach Urban Working Children (BEHTRUC) Second Phase has been made operational from 2006. During the project period a total of 200,000 urban working children will be enrolled in a life skills based non-formal education course specifically developed for them, consisting of five learning cycles of eight months each. The preparatory phase of the Time Bound Programme (TBP) for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL) has completed in December 2006. The programme is led by ILO in partnership with UNICEF and ADB under the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MOLE). The implementation of the programme started with component programme titled TBP-Urban Informal Economy.

Secondary education

323.The secondary school system is as diverse as the primary system except that NGOs are not involved in the same scale. More than 98 percent secondary schools are private; however, the Government pays 90 percent of teacher and staff salary of these institutions. The number of student in secondary school education is about 7.90 million, of whom over 53 percent are female. At secondary level the rate of student to teacher is 40:1. There are several secondary education programmes undertaken by Government. Secondary Education Sector Improvement Project (SEISP), 1999-2005, has attempting to provide policy support, decentralise and strengthen sector management, privatise textbook production, reform the examination process, improve teacher education, strengthen school management, and improve school assets in underserved areas. The recent Teaching Quality Improvement Project in secondary education is attempting to improve the teachers’ training colleges and in-service training. It also seeks to ensure that teachers from remote rural areas have equitable access to the project.

Table 7.3

Secondary institutions and enrolment: 2001

Type	Ownership	Schools/i nstitutions	Total enrolment (# Student)	Total teachers
2001	2005	2001	2005	2001	2005
Junior secondary	Government	-	-	-	-	-	-
Private	3 245	4 322	732 298 (60%)	910 914 (58%)	211 311 (10%)	36 122 (20%)
Secondary	Government	317	317	221 215 (46%)	221 887 (47%)	6 913 (35%)	7 452 (31%)
Private	12 604	18 183	6 933 497 (53%)	6 265 751 (51.6%)	155 053 (15%)	230 706 (20%)
Dakhil	Government	-	-	-	-	-	-
Private	5 391	6 688	1 055 791 (54%)	2 236 025 (52%)	67 026 5%)	98 123 (10%)
Vocational	Government	143	180	6 339 (13%)	48 419 (13%)	2 284 (13%)	2 939 (12%)
Private	522	1 368	38 622 (37%)	112 425 (29%)	2 247 (26%)	8 126 (23%)

Source: Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS).

Note: Figures in the bracket indicate female share.

324.The first and second phases of English Language Teaching Improvement Project (ELTIP) were implemented during 1997-2002 and 2002-2005 towards reducing the quality gap between urban and rural areas. The third phase of ELTIP, 2005-2008 is now under implementation with the major components of increasing teachers training facilities, providing management training of personnel and providing teaching facilities to un-served areas. A Non-government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) has been established in order to ensure recruitment of quality teacher for all secondary and post secondary educational institutes. The aim is to have all teachers certified and registered as qualified for teaching by this Authority.

325.Coverage and access to secondary education t has been increasing. Gender parity in terms of enrolment has been achieved, and rural and urban gap has been declining.

326.Gross enrolment rate at junior secondary level (grade 6-8) is 55 percent and net enrolment rate is 48 percent. At the higher secondary level (grade 9-10) the GER and NER are 42 percent and 31 percent respectively (BANBEIS). The combined GER in secondary school stands at 42.66 percent (girls-47.17 percent). The overall attendance rate is 68.10 percent (68.52 by girls).

327.A total of 36 percent male and 44 percent female students are attending secondary school at their proper ages (MICS 2006). 41 percent rural students and 52 percent of urban students are attending secondary school at their appropriate ages.

Madrasah education

328.In 2002, there were 3,443 Ebtedayee (Primary) Madrasah in the country. In addition, there were 3,574 Madrasah which had Ebtedayee section. This together account for nearly 9 percent of all institutions offering primary education in the country. They had 458,751 and 465,977 students respectively of whom 50 percent were girls. These students accounted for about 5 percent of all students at primary level. These Madrasahs had a total number of 28,285 teachers which is about 8 percent of all teachers employed at the primary level. There has been remarkable growth of Madrasah with primary section, by about 50 percent in the five year period of 1996-2001.

329.In 2001, there were 5,391 private Madrasahs offering secondary level education, of which 701 were exclusively for girls. There were 47,514 teachers at that level of whom 2,462 were female teachers. The number of students at this level was about 650,000 of which 50 percent were girls, indicating achievement of gender equality.

330.Madrasah Education Board oversees the entire system of Madrasah education. Earlier this education prevailed outside the mainstream system. Currently, the Government is providing equivalence with the regular school programme, through the introduction of mainstream subjects such as English, social Science and Science.

Vocational training

331.Vocational and technical education is under the control of the Board of Technical Education of the Ministry of Education, though other ministries such as Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE), Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW), MoWCA etc provide vocational and technical training. The main institutions offering vocational training at secondary level are 64 Vocational Training Institutes (VTI) and 13 Technical Training Centres (TTCs). At present, there are around 15,000 students (10 percent female), are attending these institutions. There are other technical and vocational institutions operated by both government and non-government authorities. At higher secondary level, Government Polytechnic Institutes (20), Commercial Institutes (16), other single-purpose institutions and affiliated non-government institutions offer a variety of courses which lead to diplomas in technical and other vocational subjects.

332.There are several specialised projects (or component of a project where vocational and technical training are provided. The ARISE project, initially supported by UNDP and mow by UNICE (under different nomenclature), for example, started in 1998 aims to improve the educational and vocational training facilities available to street children as a contribution to the overall fulfilment of their rights. This will involve the provision of learning opportunities in non‑formal settings. ILO-IPEC is another good example of such initiative. A good number of NGOs in the recent years have started providing different types of technical training either on their own or in association with Government in order to develop the skills of the target groups.

School discipline

333.One of the objectives of the National Plan of Action for Children, 2005-2010 is to help teachers to ensure that no corporal punishment is used against children and that discipline in school respects the dignity of the child.

334.All the consultations at Divisional levels including those of children organized for collecting and validating information in connection with this Report informed that the awareness of all stakeholders has increased, the school management committees are being increasingly involved in operation of the schools and the teachers more student-friendly than before resulting, among others, notable reduction of corporal punishment and improved discipline in the primary and secondary educational institutions.

335.Efforts by government, NGOs and civil societies towards enhancing physical facilities, increasing the number of teachers, providing different types of training, strengthening school management committees etc are the important factor behind improvement of discipline in the schools. Improvement of school discipline is a vital part of all categories of training and awareness building provided to stakeholders, starting from parents and care givers to management committee members.

Literacy rate

336.The rate of literacy of population 15 years and above is estimated at around 52 percent in 2004, a significant improvement over a rate of around 30 percent since 1990 (BBS). Generally, the rate of literacy is much higher in urban area (68 percent), compared to rural area (47 percent) and gender wise, females are less literate (46 percent) than males (57 percent).

337.The MICS 2006 shows that nationally, 70 percent women aged 15-24 years were literate, which is more or less in conformity to national statistics estimated by BBS. The rate in rural area was 68 percent and urban area 75 percent; very low in slums (38 percent) and tribal areas (55 percent). This rate varies between the Divisions, from 63 percent to 74 percent. There was strong co-relation between literacy and education and socio-economic status of the household.

338.The Government in collaboration with NGOs are implementing different interventions to make the literacy programme more effective and targeting to serve more than 1.66 million people under Total Literacy Movement (TLM) course.

Financing of education sector

Budget allocation

339.The Government allocates highest budgetary resources in the education sector. There is an overall consistency in development budget (Annual Development Programme) in education, allocating more than 13% of the total budget since 1990. The total development budget allocations, as shown in Table below, for the sector increased from Taka 21,710 million in 200‑/02 to Taka 35,950 million in 2006-07, an increase by 65 percent within a period of 7 years. Of the total allocation under Education Sector, the share of primary and non-formal education sub-sector was nearly half until 2005-06, escalated to around two-thirds in fiscal 2007-08. Public expenditure in terms of share of GDP in Education sector is a little over 2.4 percent.

Table 7.4

Budget allocation under Annual Development Programme (ADP)

Taka in million

Year	Total developmentbudget	Primary and mass education (part of education budget)	Education
2001/02	160 000	14 053 (8.8%)	21 710 (13.6%)
2002/03	171 000	14 466 (8.5%)	25 520 (14.9%)
2003/04	203 000	11 058 (5.5%)	27 110 (13.4%)
2004/05	220 000	15 957 (7.3%)	31 410 (14.3%)
2005/06	245 000	16 660 (6.8%)	32 970 (13.5%)
2006/07	260 000	19 920 (7.7%)	38 650 (14.9%)
2007/08	270 000	22 800 (8.4%)	35 950 (13.0%)

Source: Annual Budget for 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07; Finance Division, Ministry of Finance; (Exchange rate of 1 US$= Taka 70.0).

340.The focus of the Government’s deliberation is education of the child, which includes early child education, primary education and secondary education. Information available from BANBEIS provides the following distribution of public expenditure in the education sector.

Table 7.5

Distribution of government revenue budget

(as % of education sector budget)

Type of education	2000/01	2006/07
Primary	37.8	33.7
Secondary	23.7	23.4
College (general)	14.0	14.0
Madrashah	11.4	11.2
Technical	1.2	0.9
University	8.1	8.2
Teachers training	0.6	0.5
Cadet college	0.5	0.2
Others, administrative and departments	2.7	7.9

Source: BANBEIS.

International assistance

341.The Government’s primary and mass education programmes have been generously supported by the following international development partners:

United Nations agencies - UNICEF, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA

Financial institutions - World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, Asian Development Bank

Bilateral donors - DFID, GTZ, OPEC, Saudi Fund for Development, NORAD, Sida, SDC, JICA, CIDA, USAID

C. Aims of education with reference also to quality of education

342.Bangladesh has demonstrated a high level of commitment to primary education since it became a party to the Education for All (EFA) goals adopted in World Conference on Education for All in Jomtien in 1990. Despite the achievements and success, major challenges still remain in respect of quality of education and learning outcomes, as well as access to and participation of a large number of children most of whom are poor and disadvantaged.

343.Studies indicate that those who complete five years of primary schooling, a significant number of them (some 36 percent) do not achieve the desired level of competency. The factors that continue to influence performance and quality include crowded classrooms with poor physical facilities in the institutions, high student teacher ratio, low teacher-student contact hours, poor quality of teachers, and poor quality of learning materials, ineffective teaching‑learning methods, and unfavourable home condition, particularly in the poor households.

344.One of the main initiatives taken by the Government to address the issue of quality was through the IDEAL Project, implemented in 32 out of 64 districts covering 7.3 million children during 1998 to 2004. The project contributed to teaching-learning improvements in primary schools and introduction of Multiple Ways of Teaching and Learning (MWTL). The major interventions included professional competency development of primary school teachers, community involvement in planning and management of schools, and supervision of management training for supervisors. Most features of IDEAL project have been incorporated in the PEDP II programme and are being continued.

345.Despite this success, it is widely perceived that much needs to be done to improve the quality of education. To address this, the Government has recently adopted the PEDP II, a sub‑sector approach to primary education aimed at removing coordination problems and addressing systemic and policy issues. The overall goals of PEDP II are to:

Increase primary school access, participation and completion in accordance with Government’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2000, Education for All (EFA) and other policy commitments

Improve the quality of student learning and performance outcomes (i.e. achievement)

346.PEDP II is being implemented in all the 64 districts covering more than 65,000 primary schools for approximately 19 million children aged between 6-10 years. Eleven donors and development partners are supporting the project.

347.During 2005 a new initiative was undertaken to introduce Life Skills-based Education (LSBE) in secondary schools. UNICEF is working jointly with the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) and the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (DSHE). Curriculum and formal and non-formal materials have been developed, and workshops and training conducted on LSBE. A working group has been formed and trained to take the work forward in the next country programme.

348.In recent years there has been a thorough revision of the primary curriculum and new textbooks have been developed. As part of this exercise, gender biases have been removed and concepts of environmental awareness and sustainable development introduced.

349.The State Party has initiated the decentralization of primary and secondary education management structure. Uni-track curriculum in secondary level has been introduced since 2006. Privatization of text book production and publication has started for secondary level (grade 6-10) and by 2007 all books under secondary level will be privatized.

350.Reorganization of National Curriculum and Tex Book Board, establishing two units (Curriculum and Text book), has been started with the objective to deliver quality output by each unit. On important function of the Curriculum Unit would be development and modernization of Secondary, Technical and Madrasah Curricula. A separate entity named Independent Textbook Evaluation (ITEC) has been established. Computers are being distributed to schools and Madrasahs, with provision of training to teachers for computer application. Other activities for improvement of overall education quality include: strengthening monitoring and overseeing, re‑organizing Management Committees/Governing bodies of educational schools, reforming existing examination system, delivery of text book to the student in time, strengthening teachers training etc.

D. Rest, leisure, recreation and cultural and artistic activities

351.The State is responsible for ensuring the right of citizens to reasonable rest, recreation and leisure. Constitutional obligation of the State is to adopt measures to “conserve the cultural traditions and heritage of the people” and to “foster and improve the national language, literature and the arts” so as to give all sections of the population an opportunity to contribute towards and participate in the enrichment of the national culture.

352.Because of the available space and general environment, children in rural areas have more scope for play and recreation than those living in urban areas. In terms of access to recreational and cultural facilities, children from families of higher socio-economic status are in a much better position than those from disadvantaged families. This is qualified, however, by the excessive pressure on many such children to study hard to achieve academic success, which leaves them with little leisure time.

353.Working children (especially child domestics) are often deprived of opportunities for leisure, recreation and even rest because of their long working hours and irregular holidays. One of a number of television spots recently produced by the Government aims to sensitize employers of child domestics on the latter’s right to take time off from work to play. This point is also emphasized in social mobilization activities under non-formal education programmes for working children.

354.In order to increase family’s knowledge about early childhood development, through the Early Childhood Development project, awareness building and capacity building of different stakeholders were carried out at a large scale. These increased awareness on the importance of play and assist them to create a stimulating environment to promote their young children’s all‑round development.

355.In towns and cities, the Bangladesh Shishu (Children’s) Academy organizes cultural programmes including painting, drama, poetry recitation, dance, singing and playing musical instruments. Children also have access to national cultural institutions such as the National Museum and Academy of Fine Arts. Children of higher socioeconomic groups can avail these facilities relatively more.

VIII. SPECIAL PROTECTION MEASURES

A. Measures taken on the concluding observations

356.Bangladesh has not yet ratified the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951. Also there is no legislation for the refugees in the country. Since 1991 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are staying in Bangladesh. In association with UNHCR, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the State party is providing supports to the refugees living in two camps in terms of shelter, healthcare services and education to children etc. The unaccompanied children are also provided with adequate supports and protection. Refugee children born in Bangladesh are duly registered. There are also many immigrants from Myanmar who live in make-shift camps near the river Teknaf.

357.The Government is very much concerned about child labour and is increasingly undertaking different poverty focused programmes for reduction of child labour through facilitating access to education, with collaboration of NGOs and development partners. A comprehensive Time Bound Programme (2004-15) for eradicating child labour has been undertaken with the support of development partners. There are several other projects also addressing the issues of hazardous child labour, street children etc. Micro credit programmes, for example, is increasing at a geometric rate helping eradicate poverty. A comprehensive survey on hazardous child labour has been conducted by BBS with the support of ILO in 2005. Though not very comprehensive, some surveys on street children and domestic labour have been also conducted.

358.Bangladesh has ratified the ILO Convention-182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action on Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour in 2001. A Child Labour Policy, dealing among others with age of admission into employment (in reference to ILO Convention-138), has been drafted and awaiting approval. The country’s Labour Law has been enacted in 2006. The Mines (Amendment) Act, 2004 has revised the age of children who can be engaged in mines from 15 years to 18 years to conform to the CRC. The State Party is in the process of increase the number of Labour Inspectors significantly. Over the years, the employment of child labour in garments and in other sectors, has decreased, and many of the children are attending schools anew.

359.Monitoring system of activities related to women and child protection issues has by and large been strengthened through developing new tools and mechanisms. The system covers, inter alia, issues concerning sexual exploitation, sale, trafficking and abduction and children in conflict/contact with law. Follow up actions are taken based on the monitoring reports. Meetings on law and order particularly with reference to abuse and violence against children are more regularly held and situation assessed for taking measures and identifying future course of action.

360.The Government has enacted a number of laws to address violence against children and women, such as The Suppression of Violence against Women and Children Act, 2000, The Acid Control Act, 2002, The Acid Crimes Prevention Act, 2002, and The Law and Order Disruption Crimes (Speedy Trial) Act, 2002. Offenders are now being arrested and tried in more number than before. Police administration is being modernized. One Stop Crisis Centre (OCC) has been in operation in all 6 Divisions for supporting the woman victims. Along with the Government, NGOs are increasingly getting involved and working in advocacy and awareness programmes.

361.National Plan of Action against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children, including Trafficking (NPA-SEACT) has been formulated. A regional strategy to combat child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children was adopted by all seven South Asian Countries in Dhaka.

362.The steps of the Government in order to improve the juvenile justice, include, among others:

Raised the age of criminal responsibility from 7 to 9 years

Established a Committee to review the laws concerning juvenile justice

Establishment of 4 Divisional Juvenile Courts of Sessions is under process

Established a high level Juvenile Justice Tasks Force, and identified priority areas of action and Tasks Forces were constituted at district and sub-district (Upazila) level

A committee involving all concerned Ministries, Departments and Organizations to monitor the implementation of Children Act, 1974 has been constituted

Arranged advocacy, meetings and workshops collaboration with NGOs and Government throughout the country

Developed training materials and provided training to judges, magistrates, police, social welfare officials and other concerned on juvenile justice

363.Some bold Suo Moto orders were issued by the High Court Division in the recent years in light of the Children Act, 1974 upholding children’s rights and protection. In one judgement passed in 2005, the Court also observed that “as a signatory to the Convention, Bangladesh is duty bound to reflect the above Article (article 40) as well as other articles in CRC in our national laws. We are of the view that the time is ripe for our legislature to enact laws in conformity with the UNCRC”.

364.All these resulted in significant reduction of confinement of children in jail. While the total number of Children in confinement was 1303 in Jails in 2003, the number decreased to 395 in June 2007. The number of children kept with adult prisoners in Jails has reduced over the years. One day-care centre for the children of the female inmates of jail is running in Dhaka central Jail.

B.Children in situations of emergency

Refugee children

365.The Rohingya coming from Myanmar since 1991 is the only people to whom Bangladesh has given refugee status. Over 250,000 refugees are estimated to arrive in Bangladesh since 1991 from Myanmar. Out of them, around 21,000 are living in 2 camps in Cox’s Bazar district, some are living in make-shift houses and around 236,000 have been repatriated. Neither there is legislation for the refugees in the country nor has it ratified the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951, however, the government provides services to the Rohingyas under an MOU with UNHCR which coordinates the process of repatriation, ensures that refugees are repatriated strictly on voluntary basis

Table 8.1

Repatriation statistics of Rohingya refugee

Year	Repatriation (person)	Cumulative person
1992-2001	232 325	232 325
2002	760	233 085
2003	3 231	236 316
2004	210	236 526
2005	92	236 618
2006	-	236 618

Source: UNHCR.

366.The Refugees living in the camps are provided with food, shelter, health and sanitation facilities, and informal education at primary level. Health services include: immunization, family planning, antenatal care, screening for malnutrition, supplementary and therapeutic feeding, vitamin-A distribution, curative health services, deworming and health education. Transfer to local hospitals is arranged, if needed.

367.There are a total of 16 schools (8 per camp), each staffed by a 5 teachers. 93 percent children of school age are enrolled; average attendance rate is 87 percent and average teacher to student ratio stands at 1.32.

368.The Government maintains law and order. NGOs are involved in building awareness on protection issues, such as domestic and sexual violence and trafficking. In case of any incidence of violence or abuse, children can complain directly to UNHCR or NGO field staff. Counselling is also given where appropriate. The vulnerable unaccompanied refugee children and women are given safety and security in the camps. Children, both accompanied and unaccompanied, are registered at birth or at the time of arrival.

Children in armed conflicts including physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration

369.Bangladesh has ratified the Optional Protocol to the CRC on the involvement of the Children in Armed Conflict. Bangladesh submitted its report on the Protocol, defended the same and recently received concluding observation on it.

370.Bangladesh does not allow its under-18 citizens to serve in the positions in armed forces, police, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Ansar (Auxiliary Force) and Village Defence Party (VDP). Persons are recruited in the armed forces on strictly voluntary basis. Moreover, the recruits like officer of Commissioned Rank of Bangladesh Army, Cadets of Bangladesh Navy and Flight Cadets of Bangladesh Air Force undergo training of two years before they are employed for actual services.No one is recruited in Police, VDP and Ansar at an age below 18 years.

371.School curricula include issues on human rights to strengthen a culture of peace and tolerance. The text books, for example of Grade-V, also have a separate chapter on “World Peace and the United Nations”.

372.After decades of insurgency, tension in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) has substantially reduced after signing the Peace Accord in 1997. Many organizations have started working with the hill people, including children, to bring peace and prosperity in the area.

C. Children in conflict with the law

The administration of juvenile justice

373.The Children Act, 1974 and the Children Rules, 1976 are the principal legal instruments governing the administration of juvenile justice in Bangladesh. They deal with children in conflict with law and the children in need of protection. The Government has made various efforts to put juvenile justice issues on the agenda, but still much more needs to be done.

374.The age of criminal responsibility has been recently raised from 7 to 9 years. Criminal liability of children between the ages 9 and 12 years is subject to judicial assessment of their capacity to understand the nature and consequences of their actions. In a country where birth registration is some 10 percent, it is very likely that children in conflict with law are often deprived of age-appropriate protections. Moreover, the current protections for children in contact with juvenile justice system do not extend to all children under the age of 18. Under the Children Act, 1974 “child’ and “youthful offender” are defined as a person under the age of 16.

375.There are three integrated juvenile correction centres in Bangladesh, each comprising a permanent Juvenile Court. They are known as Kishor Unnayan Kendra (KUK). They have a combined capacity of 500 children. During the last five years, 2932 adolescents have been rehabilitated from these centres. Plan for construction of two more centres for girls have been approved.

376.The powers of a Juvenile Court can be exercised by the High Court, a Court of Session, Court of Additional/Assistant Sessions Judge, and a Magistrate of the First Class for those areas where no Juvenile Court has been established.

377.Lack of knowledge of the concerned personnel such as police, social welfare officers and others about national and international legal standards affecting children is a major problem in juvenile justice system in Bangladesh. The other areas were found in that exercise to require attention:

Coordination among concerned ministries, agencies, departments and organizations

Limited Infrastructure; and

Promotion of non-denial freedom measures and alternative to institutionalisation

Table 8.2

Key statistics on juvenile justice, Bangladesh

Child population below 18 years	59 million
Minimum age of criminal responsibility	9 years
Age when children can be punished as adults	16 years
Ages when children treated as adults	16-18 years
Number of children development centres (KUK)	3

378.Based on the assessment, the Government in association with UNICEF arranged training for police officers, judges and other officials on child rights for last few years. New training materials on juvenile justice were prepared, which include the Hand Book for Police and Bench Books for Judges and Magistrates on Children in Contact with the Juvenile Justice System. Moreover, the international instruments on juvenile justice and non-custodial measures have been printed for wider dissemination.

379.In 2006, key juvenile justice actors including UN agencies, donors, national and international NGOs established a Juvenile Justice Roundtable (JJR) aiming at supporting the Government in conducting a comprehensive reform of the Juvenile Justice system based on international experience which has shown that isolated and fragmented interventions cannot bring tangible results for children. The JJR arranges training, technical consultations and other supports towards establishing an appropriate juvenile justice system in the country.

380.The Government has established a committee to review the laws relating to juvenile justice which will consider the age for criminal responsibility (in line with CRC) along with other priority issues. The Government has also appointed a high level Juvenile Justice Tasks Force, and has identified priority areas of action. The need for comprehensive legal reform has been identified as crucial because the Children Act, in some respects, fails to fully reflect the principles of CRC. The Government has taken initiative to establish 4 juvenile sessions courts at Divisional levels. A new National Social Policy on Models of Care and Protection for Children in Contact with the Law has been drafted to address children in conflict with the law.

381.There has been a visible judicial activism in the area of juvenile justice that culminated in the recent judgement in a case by the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh that considered all international instruments on juvenile justice and the juvenile justice legislations of other countries including the draft South African Child Justice Bill. The Judge, while delivering the judgement observed that, Bangladesh is duty bound to reflect the provisions of UNCRC in laws. He has urged the legislator to enact laws in conformity with UNCRC. In the criminal appeal that emerged from a death sentence of a 15-year old boy, the Court set aside the penalty and provided a ten-point guideline for law reform in the area of juvenile justice. The Court also asked the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to take initiative to formulate appropriate legislation in line with the views expressed in the judgement.

382.While the Suo Moto Rule passed by High Court Division in 2003, the total number of Children in confinement was 1303 in 57 Jail all over the country (Source: Save the Children, UK). Gradually by the Government interventions through the inter-ministerial committee and later on by National Task Force District Task Force (headed by Deputy Commissioner) and Upazila Task Force (headed by Upazial Nirbahi Officer) the number decreased to 395 in June (Source: SCF UK).

Children deprived of their liberty, including any form of detention, imprisonment or placement in custodial settings

383.The Children Act, 1974 and the Children Rules, 1976 provides, among others, protection of children who come in conflict with the law; however, they are not always effectively enforced. Since the Vagrancy Act, 1943 lays down no limit to the period of detention; children are detained arbitrarily for long periods of time until they are produced before the Magistrate. Moreover, the Vagrancy Act 1943 is devoid of any provision allowing legal representation on behalf of the arrested person. Consequently, a neglected and homeless child is also deprived of the right to defend him/herself in a legal system, which, under the best of conditions, tends to be unjust.

384.Arrest:Children in Bangladesh can be arrested on ground of committing specific offences; on suspicion of involvement in a criminal act; and/or being a vagrant. Police is authorized to arrest without warrant under provisions of different laws.

385.Children also come into contact with the law when they breach some penal laws of the land in the form of carrying drugs, arms, engage in theft and becoming uncontrollable. They are likely to be apprehended by law enforcing agencies. These are but some of the ways children come into contact with the justice system comprising the police, the courts, the detention centres and rehabilitation institutes.

386.Detention following arrest: Children, after arrest, are taken to Police Stations (PS) and kept until sending to court. The police is required by the Children Act, 1974 to inform the parents/guardian immediately after arrest. Police is empowered by the Act to enlarge arrested children on bail even when accused of a non-bailable offence. However, in practice this authority s rarely used because granting bail to a child requires surety and bail amount similar to that of an adult. Moreover, the Act itself places restrictions on their authority, stating that the police should not release a child if it will “bring the child into association with reputed criminals”, “expose him to moral danger”, or where release would “defeat the ends of justice”. Before sending to court the arrested children are kept in lock-ups when they are required to be detained. In the PS, there is no separate lock-up for children and are kept with adult detainees.

387.Detention after charges brought: Children who are charged with bailable offences are invariably released on bail. Even when a child is charged with a non-bailable offence, the court is empowered under the Act to release him/her on bail if sufficient security is provided. A child who is not released on bail, the judicial process in Bangladesh enables a Magistrate to exercise his power of remanding children in protective custody, to a jail or a state controlled correctional institute. There are 3 correction centres (KUK) in the country.

388.However, with the passage of time the overall situation is improving mainly due to awareness and advocacy programmes undertaken by the Government and NGOS, increased surveillance, training and sensitization of concerned personnel including those from court and police and modernization of police. So far 47,206 persons arrested under the Vagrant Act, 1943, have been given shelter, food and different types of training in the six shelter homes of MoSW with the objective to rehabilitate them in the society.

The sentencing of juveniles, in particular the prohibition of capital punishment and life imprisonment

389.CRC and the Beijing Rules require the Government to establish a minimum age below which children will be presumed innocent. It is further stressed that the beginning of the age should not be set too low, having due regard to the child ’ s emotional, mental and intellectual maturity. In Bangladesh the Penal Code of 1860 (amendedin 2004) states that nothing is an offence, which is done by a person under the age of 9 years. That is, it provides immunity for children up to 9 years of age against all criminal responsibilities. The Code safeguards the children of 9 to 12 years age-bracket on the basis of capacity of understanding the nature and consequences of their actions.

390.According to Children Act, 1974 the trial of a child should be held separately (from adult accused) in a building or room from the ordinary court in a home-like atmosphere. When making an order under the Act, the court must take into consideration the character and age of the child; the circumstances in which the child is living; and the report from a Probation Officer as to the child’s background and family history.

391.The Children Act, 1974 prohibits the use of capital-punishment against children under 16. There are very limited circumstances in which imprisonment can be imposed on a child of this age. In the event that either of the special circumstances described there exists and the offence of which the child has been found guilty is punishable with life imprisonment, then a sentence of life imprisonment can be imposed on such a child. In practice, on account of their age and immaturity, the courts rarely impose life term and death sentences on children under 18.

392.In January 2000, there were four children under 15 years serving life sentences in Tongi KUK (Child Development Centre). As on 25 August 2007, there was only one such child in Jessore KUK. The District Legal Aid Committees formed with the objective to provide legal support to distressed women and children are more active than ever before.

Physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration

393.Consistent with the underlying aims of the Children Act and Rules, certified institutes and approved homes are run in such a way as to prepare children as far as possible to return to society when their period of detention ends. This is ensured through ongoing monitoring of each child’s situation, a system of education and vocational training and the work of probation officers.

394.For the first 14 days after the start of a child’s detention, his/her mental disposition, conduct, aptitude and other matters are closely monitored for the purposes of formulating an effective treatment plan. A separate file is created for each child where this information is recorded by the Superintendent of the institution where the child is kept. In practice these rules are not properly complied with in Bangladesh.

395.The Children Rules, 1976 require to be provided to children in detention with primary education and vocational training facilities. The Tongi Child Development Centre (KUK) has an on-site school offering education up to Grade 5. Arrangements can also be made for children to continue their education up to a higher level outside the Centre. Vocational training in car maintenance, welding, tailoring, carpentry and electric house wiring is available. There is also the provision under the Children Act, 1974 of children detained in a certified institute or approved home for release, on license, to live outside the institution on certain conditions with a person who will give him/her a vocational training. A non-formal basic education scheme has been introduced in nine central jails and nine district jails for which children are eligible.

396.Probation officers are guided by the Juvenile Court or, where there is no Juvenile Court, by the Court of Sessions. Their duties include maintaining contact with the child through regular visits, advising, assisting and befriending the child and, where necessary, making efforts to find him or her suitable employment.

D.Children in situations of exploitation, including physical andpsychological recovery and social reintegration

Economic exploitation including child labour

Child labour

397.Because of a number of reasons including widespread poverty many children enter the labour force, some at a very young age. A qualitative study by ILO-IPEC and UNICEF found three factors that cause child labour in Bangladesh:

Push f actors (extreme poverty, death of earning family member, parents separation, being abandoned, natural calamities, adult migration or unemployment)

Pull f actors (children accept cheap wages and other conditions favourable to employer)

Interactive or psychological f actor (Parental disinterest in child’s education, failure in examination, dropping out from school, crisis in the family, influence of peer group)

398.According to the Second National Child Labour Survey (NCLS) 2002-03, of 42.3 million children aged 5-17 years, estimated 7.4 million children (17.5 percent) are engaged in some form of economic activity. Based on definition used in ILO Convention, it is estimated that 3.2 million (43 percent) children would be considered as child labour, representing 7.5 percent of the of the entire child population in this range. Over half of the working children (53 percent) were employed in agriculture sector, followed by production (15 percent), trading/sales (14 percent) and transport (10 percent).

399.Children often work alongside family members in small scale and subsistence agriculture. Of the total child labour (3.2 million), 26 percent were attending schools and working simultaneously. As revealed in the survey, approximately 41 percent of child labour or 1.3 million children were engaged in hazardous labour.

Table 8.3

Children and economically active (working) childrenin the age range of 5-17 years in 2003

In 000s

Total children	Economically active children (CAC)	Child labour	Children in hazardous work (CHW)
Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female
42 388	22 689	19 699	7 423	5 471	1 952	3 179	2 461	718	1 297	1 177	120

Source: BBS/NCLS, 2002/03.

400.Hazardous Work: In Integrated Baseline Survey, 2005 by BBS/ILO-IPEC in 13,180 sample establishments under 45 selected (hazardous) sectors/activities the key findings are: about 20 percent of the total establishments were employing child workers. No child worker was found in four sectors, namely, ship breaking, cigarettes (not bidi), pesticides and other chemical products, and fire works during the time of the survey undertaking. Again, of the total employed persons in the sectors, 34 percent were child workers, and of the total child workers, 98.5 percent were estimated as child labour.

401.Child Domestic Workers (CDW) : Domestic child labour is the largest hazardous child labour sector in the country. There is no official record of actual number of child domestics because of the “hidden” nature of work. According to one survey (ILO-IPEC, 2005/06), the total number of CDW is estimated at 405,508, of them 31 percent are in Dhaka city and remainder in other parts of the country. Of the total domestic help in Dhaka, 92 percent are full time CDW and the remaining are part time.

402.Some CBOs/NGOs have started advocacy programme so that they are protected by law. Given the often-informal nature, regulation is difficult. However, recently the Government has been bringing criminal charges against employers who abuse domestic helps. Under the existing law, every child must attend school up to Grade V or until the age of 10 years. However, there is no effective mechanism for enforcing the law in favour of child domestics particular.

The Government’s response to child labour

403.The State Party has acknowledged the problem of child labour. She has ratified the ILO Convention-182 in 2001 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action on Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour, and also committed to the Rawalpindi Declaration of SAARC calling for the eradication of child labour by 2010. The Government has prepared a Child Labour Policy, which is awaiting approval. The Government has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ILO-IPEC for elimination of child labour.

404.Under the Mines (Amendment) Act, 2004 the age of children who can be engaged in mines has been revised from 15 years to 18 years to conform to the CRC. Bangladesh Labour Law, 2006 deals, inter alia, with some prohibitions related to child labour. Hazardous work by a person below 18 is prohibited by this law. The Government has been publishing the list of such hazardous works on a regular interval. For any other (non-hazardous) economic activity, the lower limit of admission into employment is 14 years but with the certification of a registered medical doctor about fitness and age of the child. The employer must preserve the certificate and allow her/him to continue on-going education adjusting working hours.

405.Up to December 2004, under ILO-IPEC initiative about 20,000 children have been removed from hazardous work, and almost similar number of children is attending schools. The BGMEA-ILO-UNICEF project identified 10,546 child workers, in garment factories. The intervention under the project proved to be very successful in removing child labour as by the end of 2003 only 23 (0.2 percent) of the factories were employing 58 child labour. It is believed that with more compliance to labour standards by the employers, coupled with internal lobbying and advocacy, in the recent years, the proportion of child labour in garments factories at least remained very low.

406.With a view to prevention and eliminate child labour through viable alternatives, among other measures, the MoLE has launched a comprehensive initiative in the form of Time Bound Programme, TBF (2004-15) to protect, remove, rehabilitate and prevent the worst form of child labour in the country with the support of ILO, UNICEF and ADB. The Ministry has also been implementing another USAID assisted project named Eradication of Hazardous Child Labour (2nd Phase) Project aiming at removing 30,000 children from hazardous works, and making those children skilled.

407.BEHTRUC project and its successor project for the urban working children under MoPME, is being implemented in the six Divisional cities (346,500 children benefited from the project and the on-going one has a target of 200,000 working children); 44 Shishu Kalyan (child welfare) Trust schools have been providing primary education to the street children. This project mainly focuses on rehabilitation of street children.

408.Protection of Children at Risk (PCAR) projectMoSW/DSS, funded by UNICEF, through 13 different activities, covering groups of children without parental care, provides basic education, skills training and basic healthcare.

409.NGOs work both in partnership with the Government’s child labour projects and are also involved on their own in non-formal education, formal primary education, skills training, child labour and WFCL and brothel children. The Department of Labour (DoL) with the participation of 42 NGOs/CBOs and local government institutions has established the Child Labour Elimination Action Network (CLEAN), to monitor situation concerning hazardous child labour in 8 north-west districts of Bangladesh.

Drug abuse

410.Bangladesh is a party to the following international conventions on this subject:

Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961(as amended by Protocol of 1972)

Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971

Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances

411.The relevant domestic legislation is the Narcotics Control Act 1990, which punishes drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking with a minimum imprisonment sentence of 6 months and a fine. The Children Act, 1974 makes it a punishable offence to:

Give intoxicating liquor or dangerous drugs to a child in a public place; and

Take a child to, or permit a child to enter a place where intoxicating liquor or dangerous drugs are sold

412.Accurate rates of drug abuse among children are not available. However, children are involved as drug carriers, sellers and users.

413.The Department of Narcotics Control has overall responsibility for controlling the trafficking and abuse of drugs in Bangladesh. The United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) is supporting Government’s anti-drug efforts in three areas: law enforcement, preventive education and information and treatment/rehabilitation.

Sexual exploitation and sexual abuse

414.The Government is concerned about the problem of child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. It was expressed in formulation of the National Plan of Action against Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children, including Trafficking (NPA-SAECT). The Government as well as people in leading positions are convinced of the benefits of ensuring children’s participation for effective policy development and implementation. The NPA-SAECT was developed through a participatory process in consultation with different stakeholders including children and young people.

415.A regional strategy to combat child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children was adopted by all seven South Asian Countries in Dhaka. The Strategy was presented by the Government of Bangladesh during the Second World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Japan.

416.The Government has enacted The Suppression of Violence against Women and Children Act, 2000 to protect the children from sexual exploitation and abuse.

417.The empowerment of adolescent girls project Kishori Abhijan expanded its intervention sites from 14 to 26 districts. The interventions led to positive results, providing life-skills based training to girls, through the peer-to-peer approach reaching 100,000 adolescents, mainly girls. Livelihood and basic economic skills training were also provided to 25,000 adolescent girls.

418.Different NGOs are also working to prevent and protect children from abuse and exploitation. Some among them are working with sex workers and their children with special focus on their rehabilitation in the society. A survey on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children was completed in 2006 in partnership with ILO-IPEC.

Other forms of exploitation

419.One particularly vicious and damaging form of violence is acid attacks which have traumatic consequences, scarring the victims physically (disfigurement), psychologically and socially for life. Acid attacks are mainly a crime against children and young women, although more recently, boys and young men have also been targets of this crime. Since the enactment of The Acid Control Act, 2002 and The Acid Crimes Prevention Act, 2002, the incidence of acid attack has gone down. The One-Stop-Crisis Centres (OCC) in Dhaka and other five Divisional Headquarters has been set up together with a Hotline System for women vulnerable to act of violence. In January 2006, a DNA profiling laboratory was established in Dhaka with five screening laboratories at Divisional levels for identifying perpetrators and ascertaining parentage.

420.The most pervasive form of violence within a marriage is dowry related violence. Women in Bangladesh marry at a relatively early age associated with the demand of dowry. Failure to provide the desired price results in violence that ranges from the threat of divorce and abandonment to physical acts of beating or even murder. The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1980 forbids the giving and taking of dowry and The Suppression of Violence against Women and Children Act, 2000 provides strict measures against dowry related violence.

Sale, trafficking and abduction

421.An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year worldwide. An estimated 2 million children, the majority of them girls, are sexually exploited in the commercial sex industry (UNICEF Fact sheet).

422.The most widely employed procuring strategies include, kidnapping, abduction, purchase of young girls from their families, marriage contracts, promises of jobs abroad and affected friendship and love.

423.Women and girls are trafficked annually to India, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). Bangladeshi boys were also trafficked into the U.A.E. and Qatar. Women and children in Bangladesh are prone to trafficking while migrating from rural to urban areas.

424.Inter-Ministerial/Inter-Organizational Case Monitoring Committee in the Ministry of Home Affairs at the national level meets at least once every fortnight and selects some pending cases on trafficking in women and children in the country and ensures quick disposal of these cases. The District Monitoring Committees headed by Deputy Commissioners in turn selects at least five pending cases and monitor those regularly for quick disposal.

425.The Inter-Ministerial/Inter-Organisational Anti-TraffickingCommittee led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs holds meeting once a month to monitor the progress of the activities undertaken by different ministries and departments to combat trafficking in Bangladesh.

426.The GO-NGO National Co-ordination Committee for Trafficking in Women and Children is involved in implementing and monitoring programmes to combat trafficking.

427.A Police Monitoring Cell at the Police Headquarters in Dhaka collects information and intelligence report regarding human trafficking especially trafficking in women and children, arrests criminals and rescue trafficked persons, assists in prosecuting relevant cases, helps in rehabilitation of trafficked persons, and regularly follows up the progress of disposal of cases. This Cell also maintains the database of cases related to trafficking. A monitoring unit has been formed in all 64 districts. There are also local level committees, to monitor the issue of trafficking.

428.One of the major achievements during 2005 was the successful repatriation and reintegration of Bangladeshi children involved in camel racing (CICR) in UAE with the technical support of UNICEF. With the help of local administration and NGOs, almost all of them have so far been reintegrated to the family. This has expedited the process of safe return of trafficked individuals and the one of best practice initiatives.

E. Children belonging to a minority or an indigenous group

Tribal people

429.In Bangladesh there are people, known as tribal, live in four regions of Bangladesh (divided into 27 districts). Each ethnic group demonstrating unique culture, tradition and knowledge, thereby contribute to making Bangladesh a culturally rich country. According to the latest population census (2001), more than 98 per cent of the population of Bangladesh belong to the homogeneous ethnic group known as Bengali; the remainder is composed of tribal, from 27 communities. There is a strong correlation between being indigenous, tribal and being a member of an ethnic minority group, and being poor or extremely poor.

430.The situation of tribal children and children of ethnic minorities continues to be a source of concern. There is a dearth of information on these children and whatever is available demonstrates that they have less access to their rights to food, health care, education, survival and development and protection from abuse, violence and discrimination. The MICS 2006 findings show their situation on some indicators (Table 8.4).

Table 8.4

National vis-à-vis tribal situations, MICS 2006 (in percent)

Serial	Indicator	National situation	Tribal situation
01	Primary school net enrolment rate	70.0	59.0
02	Initial breast feeding
	Breast fed within an hour	35.6	29.9
	Breastfed within one day	81.5	78.9
03	Vitamin A supplementation	84.9	77.8
04	Low birth weight (below 2.5 kg)	26.7	24.1
05	Vaccination (all)	83.7	76.2
06	Drinking water
	Improved source	97.6	78.5
	Water on premises	68.0	24.2
07	Use sanitary latrine	39.2	17.2
08	Antenatal care
	No antenatal care	43.8	65.2
	Delivery in health facilities	16.0	4.2
09	Birth registered	9.8	5.0
10	Child labour prevalence	12.8	17.6

Source: MICS 2006.

431.Citizens are protected under the Constitution against discrimination by the State irrespective of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. It also guarantees freedom to all religions with specific protection for backward sections of society.

432.The advent of peace in the CHT has been followed by a strong expression of interest from international development partners and national NGOs in implementing programmes that will significantly improve the quality of life for Hill Tracts children and the enjoyment of their rights. In conformity with its obligations under the Peace Accord, the Government has made a special allocation of funds for projects in the Hill Tracts, with an emphasis on improving local infrastructure.

433.The Government with the support of UNDP has undertaken a project titled “Promotion of Development and Confidence Building in the Chittagong Hill Tracts” with the aim of reducing poverty especially among the most vulnerable and strengthening the local institutions and communities. Again, ILO under its Women’s Empowerment through Employment and Health (WEEH) project, 2002-2005, in collaboration with MoLE, has implemented decent employment component with special focus on women’s entrepreneurship development in 3 hill districts in collaboration with NGOs.

434.Integrated Community Development Project in the CHT under the Ministry of CHT Affairs funded by UNICEF covers basic services in 2,220 Para (community) Centres, PC at village level serving catchments of 25-30 families. The PCs were managed by a Para worker, a locally recruited person (95% women). Activities related to health and nutrition, early learning or school preparedness, water, sanitation and hygiene promotion were supported by the Para worker. Immunization coverage in the PC was reported to be as high as 95% whilst the use of iodized salt was noted to be 100%. Vitamin A supplementation was provided to 17,500 post partum women. Early learning and school readiness education is provided to about 40,000 children annually in the PCs. Many of these children have enrolled in primary schools upon graduation from the PC schools.

Other minority communities

435.There are some small groups of disadvantaged poor people. They are commonly isolated from mainland and or mainstream people. These groups include: people living in the areas of coast line, haor/baor/beels (big water bodies), fishing boats, char lands (small river island), and gypsy people (bedes), bawalies (those who live on the resources of the Sundarbans forest areas), methor and dalit (sweeper) and tea garden workers. The socioeconomic conditions of these groups of people are not much known as very little surveys or studies have been conducted. Recently media has started giving coverage on them reflecting their marginalized and isolated conditions. The Divisional Consultations organized for the purpose of this Report also endorsed their isolation.

436.The Government with assistance of development partners is increasingly undertaking new initiatives and programmes for development of people living in the remote and inaccessible areas. Studies are being conducted to identify the reasons and magnitudes of problems in specific areas. Based on the studies new area specific programmes such as DFID assisted Char Livelihood Project has been undertaken. Government has also intensified ongoing initiatives of poverty alleviation such as micro credit and safety net programmes in these areas.

F. Children living or working on the street

437.A significant portion of disadvantaged children live on the streets on account of acute impoverishment and social deprivation. Often separated from their families, many of these children migrate to the cities in search of a livelihood. Their work may range from street vending, rag picking, metal work, transport worker, dealing in drugs and contraband items to sex work. Deprived of their basic rights to health, food, education, street children are particularly susceptible to adult abuse, exploitation and manipulation.

438.Making an estimate of the number of street children is a difficult proposition. The population census, labour force survey and the national child labour survey do not cover the street children as a separate group. A BIDS survey found the total number of street children in 6 Divisional cities and 5 district town as l 429,813 (Table 8.5).

Table 8.5

Estimates of street children by gender and agein 6 divisional and 5 district towns

Name ofcity/town	Street children by gender and age
Boys (%)	Girls (%)	Total (%)	SC population by number and percent
<10 yrs	11-18 yrs	< 10 yrs	11-18 yrs	Boys	Girls	Number	%
Dhaka	32.3	42.0	16.9	8.8	74.3	25.7	249 200	58.8
Chittagong	36.5	37.1	21.2	5.2	73.6	26.4	55 856	12.7
Rajshahi	24.8	68.5	4.7	2.0	93.4	6.6	20 426	4.7
Khulna	33.8	49.6	11.4	5.2	83.4	16.6	41 474	9.5
Barisal	19.3	74.1	4.3	2.2	93.4	6.6	9 771	2.2
Sylhet	26.2	66.2	4.2	3.4	92.4	7.6	13165	3.0
Narayanganj	33.9	42.8	17.2	6.1	76.7	23.3	8 402	1.9
Mymensingh	26.9	63.3	6.1	3.8	90.1	9.9	6 715	1.5
Comilla	33.6	50.0	11.2	5.2	83.6	16.4	5 044	1.2
Rangpur	24.2	73.2	2.0	0.6	97.3	2.7	11 490	2.6
Jessore	33.8	53.5	8.7	4.0	87.3	12.7	8 270	1.9
Total number(%)	137 110(31.9)	200 723(46.7)	63 612(14.8)	28 368(6.6)	337 833(78.6)	91 980(21.4)	429 813(100)	100

Source: BIDS, 2004.

439.The State Party is duly concerned about the magnitude, extent and vulnerability of the street children, and, therefore in association with NGOs and different development partners is undertaking programmes. BEHTRUC, ILO-IPEC and TBP projects are some of the examples. Several NGOs are also implementing various projects to address the issues of street children both jointly with the Government and individually.

IX.OPTIONAL PROTOCOLS TO THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

A. Introduction

440.The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MoWCA) is the focal point and is responsible for coordinating implementation of the Protocol both between different ministries and at the national and sub-national levels.

441.The other line ministries that are extending support and bearing responsibility for achieving the commitments made under this protocol are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Social welfare, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. The Ministry of Home Affairs is playing an active role in the rescue and repatriation of trafficked victims in collaboration with the authorities of the receiving countries, while the Ministry of Social Welfare provides care, protection and reintegration of children that are at risk and vulnerable. There is an Implementation and Monitoring Committee for the NPA against the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children including Trafficking (SAECT) supported by a number of sub-working groups for coordinating the implementation of the NPA SAECT in association with NGOs and civil society representatives.

442.The Shishu Academy (Academy for Children), an implementation wing of MoWCA, is coordinating with the public and civil society with a mandate to implement the CRC and its Optional Protocols through its cultural/extra curricular activities. A large number national and international NGOs are coordinating with the Government by delivering various services such as health, non-formal education, income-generating activities, creation of livelihood skills, awareness raising, networking, policy advocacy and so on.

B. Involvement of children in armed conflict

443.Bangladesh has signed and ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (ICAC) on 6 September 2000. The initial report by the State Party on the status of the implementation of the ICAC was submitted on 27 January 2004. The Concluding Observations and Recommendations on the Initial Report of Bangladesh on the Optional Protocol to the CRC (CRC/C/OPAC/BGD/1) at UN Committee’s 1083th meeting held on 9 January, 2006 and adopted at its 1120th meeting, and responses by the State Party to the issues raised by the Committee on the initial report as well as the Concluding Observations dated 27 January, 2006, have been taken into consideration in different sections of this Periodic Report.

444.The State Party reiterates that the minimum age for recruitment and deployment in all branches of law enforcement and defence is in conformity with the Optional Protocol and there is clear government direction in this regard. The Government need not have a separate legislation in this respect.

445.The Government is working towards better coordination of children’s activities and MoWCA has proved this through timely submission of all recent child-related international reports, preparation of the NPA for Children, NPA SEACT, children’s section in the PRSP and National MDG Report, 2005 in a participatory manner. Effective children’s participation was ensured in all these events. NGOs and international organizations have been included in the CRC Standing Committee and this enabled non-government entities to provide inputs into all important processes. Stakeholder participation in major activities is regularly ensured through consultation meetings and workshops.

446.With regard to the consent of parents or legal guardians for the recruitment of under-18, the State Party does not think it is necessary since the actual induction of persons in different forces are done only when the person attains the age of 18. The training period is not considered to be the service period and not a violation of the provisions of the Optional Protocol.

447.The State Party does not believe that there are any major issues around possible military training that children undergo in any part of the country including the “madrasahs”. This is illegal as per the law of the land and the government takes stern actions against anyone found involved in this kind of activities. Recently, the government tried a number of persons involved in these activities and gave the highest punishment, death sentence, to them which was also carried out. The government maintains strict vigilance against any such activities to happen in future.

448.Children who were involved in Chittagong Hill Tracts conflict long ago are all adults by now. Since the CHT Peace Accord was adopted, there is no more insurgency in the area and all arms and ammunitions were confiscated. The Government is still working to maintain peace in the area. There is no more any fighting in the area and though some arms are still found in some small pockets are believed to be procured more recently and used for other purposes. The State Party does not believe that there is any point around disarmament, demobilization and social reintegration of victims in CHT.

449.The State Party is working very seriously to unearth small arms and light weapons and in recent years, the report of use of these has gone down. The present government has arrested a good number of political activists who possessed unlicensed weapons and cases have been lodged and sentences have been given to many of them. The crack down on corruption, black money and unauthorised use of government property have shown positive results in the country and this will help reduce use of small arms in the country.

450.The Government has taken initiatives in disseminating the CRC, Optional Protocols, Concluding Observations and written reports to a wider audience including the army, educational institutions, the Parliament and the NGOs.

C. Sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography

451.Bangladesh has signed and ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OPSC) on 6 September 2000. The initial report by the State Party on the status of the implementation of the OPSC was submitted on 24 November 2005. The Concluding Observations and Recommendations on the Initial Report of Bangladesh on the Optional Protocol to the CRC (CRC/C/OPSC/BGD/1) at UN Committee’s 1248th meeting held on 4th June 2007 and adopted at its 1255th meeting, and responses by the state party to the issues raised by the Committee on the initial report as well as the Concluding Observations dated 8 June 2007, have been taken into consideration in different sections of this Periodic Report.

452.The State Party has very recently received the Concluding Observations on this Optional Protocol and is still analyzing the comments. This present report covers all relevant aspects in different chapters. The Government is committed to the issues covered and will take necessary steps to address those within the shortest possible time. Two observations not covered in the report, are explained below.

453.As regards creation of a separate Children’s Department/Directorate, the State Party’s view is that it may not benefit the children much excepting duplication of some activities other ministries are performing. Rather, a thorough analysis of the situation suggests, effective coordination and implementation of children’s programmes and activities would bring better results. The coordination role of MoWCA has improved in recent years and it will be further reinforced. In future, Bangladesh Shishu (Children) Academy will be strengthened and activities will be monitored through district-level CRC Committees with the help of all sectoral ministries.

454.Regarding setting up of toll-free help line (observation no. 38) this is to mention that in collaboration with the NGOs, a toll-free 24-hour helpline for children is in place now. In few cases, the appropriate authorities have started to take action on complains that started coming through this line.

Annexes

Annex 1

Mobile Library Programme: Progress from 1999 to June 2007Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (World Literature Centre)

S.L	District (library deployed)	Mobile library	District covered	Enrolled member/ reader	Children reader	Remark
1.	Dhaka	5	1	19 414	10 511
2.	Chittagong	1	1	5 406	3 135
3.	Rajshahi	1	1	3 463	1 766
4.	Khulna	1	1	2 321	1 392
5.	Narayangang	1	3	247	133
6.	Gazipur	1	2	493	285
7.	Mymensingh	1	2	563	332
8.	Bogra	1	2	256	133
9.	Sirajgong	1	1	271	162
10.	Dinajpur	1	3	412	234
11.	Rangpur	1	3	352	207
12.	Tangail	1	1	358	152
13.	Sylhet	1	1	470	244
14.	Noagaon	1	2	383	229
15.	Pabna	1	2	222	124
16.	Comilla	1	2	348	208
17.	Noakhali	1	2	255	134
18.	Moulovibazar	1	2	226	105
19.	Jessore	1	2	538	312
20.	Faridpur	1	2	276	154
21.	Jhinaidah	1	3	320	182
22.	Kustia	1	2	242	145
23.	Bagerhat	1	2	250	130
24.	Barisal	1	2	352	193
Total	28	45	37 438	20 602

Source: Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (World Literature Centre).

Annex 2

Ongoing and new WATSAN Projects

1.Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project (BAMWSP/World Bank)

2.Rural Water Supply Program (Government of Bangladesh)

3.Environmental Sanitation, Hygiene and Water Supply in Rural Areas and Urban Slums (GoB/UNICEF)

4.Action research n Community Based Arsenic Mitigation Project (Gob/UNICEF)

5.Coastal base Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (DANIDA)

6.Water supply and Sanitation in Upazila Headquarters (GoB/DANIDA)

7.Char (New islands) Development and Settlement project-II (Dutch-funded)

8.Hygiene, Sanitation and Water Supply (NGO Forum/DANIDA)

9.Water Supply and Sanitation in Chittagong Hill Tracts (DANIDA/NGO Forum)

10.Municipal Services Project (MSP of LGED)

11.Water Supply in the Coastal belt

12.Establishment of DPHE Central Laboratory, Dhaka (JICA)

13.Water Testing Laboratory in 53 Districts (WHO)

14.Post Rehabilitation of Water Supply and Sanitation System of Flood Damaged Districts of the Country, 2004 (DPHE-UNICEF)

15.Integrated Sanitation Improvement Project in District Towns (DPHE)

16.Eighteen District Town Water Supply Project (DPHE)

17.Establishment of National Water and Sanitation Information Centre (NAWASIC) in DPHE

18.Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage Project in Upazila HQs and Growth Centre Level Pourashavas having no piped water supply system (DPHE)

19.Emergency Arsenic Mitigation in Worst Affected Villages (DPHE)

20.Medium and Long term Water Supply Programme in Arsenic Affected Areas (DPHE)

21.Establishment of Human Resources Development (HRD) in (DPHE)

(In addition to this, a host of local and international NGOs are implementing WATSAN programmes across the country with the support of development partners.)

Annex 3

Age of Recruitment in Bangladesh Armed forcesand other Security Agencies

Bangladesh Army: Combats: 17-20 years; Non-Combats: 17-20 years; Commission ranks: 17‑40 years. After getting enrolled all of them have to complete their respective basic training courses for at least two years prior to their employment for actual services.

Bangladesh Navy:Cadets: 17-20 years; Sailors: 17-20 years. After initial recruitment cadets undergo a basic training course of two years and Sailors for minimum of 15 months before they are commissioned and employed for actual services. Therefore no personnel of Bangladesh Navy is actually employed in Naval Service before attaining the age of 18 years.

Bangladesh Air Force: Flight Cadet: 16.5-21 years; Airmen: 16-21 years; MODC: 17-22 years. Parent’s consents are required prior to enrolment in the training program. After successful completion of the training course they get employment for serving in Bangladesh Air Force.

Police, Bangladesh Rifle (BDR), Ansar: The minimum age for recruitment: 18 years. Thus it becomes apparent that there is no scope for any person to be employed for actual service/combats in defence services, internal security services or paramilitary forces of Bangladesh who has not attained the age of 18.

Annex 4

Key findings of Integrated Baseline surveyon Hazardous Child Labour, ILO/BBS, 2005

Sl. No.	Indicators/ Key results	Urban	Rural	Total
1.	Numbers of sectors	…	…	45
2.	Number of establishments	727,425	1,490,358	2,217,783
3.	Percent of establishments by locality	23.8	67.2	100.0
4.	Percent of establishments employing child workers	14.9	23.0	20.03
5.	Percent of child workers Unpaid family workers Wage workers Total	26.5 73.5 100.0	57.7 42.3 100.0	48.2 51.8 100.0
6.	Major reasons of employing child workers (percent) Parents request To pay minimum wage Good or suitable for work Less expensive Nothing Obedient Child workers easily available Not reported No trade union problem Others Total	39.0 22.5 12.8 6.8 4.8 2.3 3.4 1.1 0.8 6.6 100.0	42.9 15.4 10.1 6.4 5.1 4.6 2.1 2.2 0.9 10.2 100.0	42.0 17.1 10.7 6.5 5.0 4.1 2.4 1.9 0.9 9.4 100.0
	Payment of wages and salary Paid regularly Not paid regularly	83.5 15.0	82.8 15.9	83.1 15.6
8.	Mode of payment Daily Weekly Monthly Others Total	22.1 15.8 58.7 3.4 100.0	37.8 10.3 46.4 5.3 100.0	32.1 12.3 50.9 4.8 100.0
9.	Average number of child workers per establishment	1.16	1.37	1.21
10.	Average number of child workers per household	1.19	1.15	1.16
11.	Age distribution of child workers (percent) 5-9 10-14 15-17 Total	2.4 49.8 47.8 100.0	4.6 48.2 47.2 100.0	4.0 48.6 47.4 100.0
12.	Main occupation of parents (percent) Self employed/business Day labourer Agriculture Service Others Total	32.6 27.3 11.7 5.9 22.5 100.0	30.8 21.5 14.6 1.7 31.4 100.0	31.1 22.4 14.1 2.4 30.0 100.0
13.	Method of recruitme nt of child workers as reported by employers (percent) Through child workers’ friends/relative Contact through other child workers Self-contact At the request of parents Others Not reported (NR) Total	13.0 3.5 15.5 59.4 6.8 1.9 100.0	4.5 1.7 10.5 67.2 11.6 4.5 100.0	6.6 2.1 11.7 65.3 10.4 3.8 100.0
14.	Child workers by level of education (%) Literate based on informal education Below class V Up to class V Up to class VIII SSC passed Others Total	4.6 57.2 29.8 7.6 0.7 0.1 100.0	3.5 63.1 26.2 6.5 0.6 0.1 100.0	3.8 61.2 27.4 6.9 0.6 0.1 100.0
15.	Child workers by reasons for not attending school (%) Cannot bear education exp. For work Parents did not send school School is too far Un-successes in exam Abuse/beatch Not inter stand Others Total	42.8 22.2 10.2 0.7 1.9 0.5 19.7 2.1 100.0	50.4 12.6 8.8 0.7 2.3 0.4 22.8 1.9 100.0	45.0 19.5 9.8 0.7 2.0 0.4 20.6 2.0 100.0
16.	Households by main sources of income as reported b y child workers (%) Farming Catching fish/pisciculture Agriculture da y labourers Non-agriculture day labourers Business/hawking Service Rickshaw/van puller Others Total	11.5 5.6 14.8 24.1 18.0 5.8 14.0 6.2 100.0	11.7 16.4 13.8 13.9 15.8 1.6 23.0 3.8 100.0	11.7 13.5 14.1 16.5 16.4 2.8 20.5 4.5 100.0
17.	Main occupation of parents of child workers (%) Self employed/business Day labourer Agriculture Service Others Total	32.6 27.3 11.7 5.9 22.5 100.0	30.8 21.5 14.6 1.7 31.4 100.0	31.1 22.4 14.1 2.4 30.0 100.0
18.	Weekly hours worked by child workers (%) Less than 14 14-19 20-25 26-42 43+ Not reported Total	1.4 4.8 2.6 6.5 84.5 0.2 100.0	2.4 9.9 5.7 11.1 70.8 0.1 100.0	2.1 8.5 4.8 9.9 74.6 0.1 100.0
19.	Child workers b y number of months worked in a y ear (%) No. of months worked < 6 6-9 10 11 12 Not reported Total	21.4 16.5 7.2 6.3 48.5 0.1 100.0	12.8 18.3 7.8 7.5 53.5 0.1 100.0	15.2 17.8 7.7 7.1 52.2 0.1 100.0
20.	Child labour by age group and gender 5-11 years Male Female Total 12-14 years Male Female Total 15-17 years Male Female Total 5-17 years Male Female Total	14,832 1,069 15,901 59,201 1,562 60,763 66,451 2,905 69,356 140,484 5,536 146,020	46,786 3,744 50,530 151,641 4,354 155,995 178,845 983 179,828 377,272 9,081 386,353	61,618 4,813 66,431 210,842 5,916 216,758 245,296 3,888 249,184 517,756 14,617 532,373
21.	Employers’ awar eness on legality of employing c hild workers (%) Aware about legality Not aware Not reported Total	55.1 44.0 0.9 100.0	41.8 57.4 0.8 100.0	45.0 54.2 0.8 100.0
22.	Reason for stopping children’s work (%) Sufficient family income Able to bear educational expenses Having sufficient land School is too far Others Not reported Total	80.2 11.6 3.4 0.1 4.2 0.5 100.0	80.1 7.4 7.9 0.3 3.0 1.3 100.0	80.2 8.0 7.1 0.3 3.2 1.2 100.0

Annex 5

Highlights of Time Bound Programme (TBP)

Introduction

Launched in March 2004, with the long term objective of developing national framework for elimination of WFCL, the major activities performed during 2005-06. TBP is a joint TA project under Ministry of Labour and Employment involving 18 Ministries (each having a Focal Point), supported jointly by UNICEF, ADB and ILO (lead agency).

Immediate o bjectives included:

Knowledge Base Development

Alliance Building among the Stakeholders

Activities performed under Knowledge Base Development

Review of Documents/literature and identification of knowledge gaps/shortfalls

Conducting 13 research studies in the Thematic Areas Education, Poverty Reduction, Labour Protection etc.

Conducting 2 Nationwide baseline surveys to determine (1) Hazardous Child Labour (with BBS) and (2) Child Domestic Labour (with a consulting firm)

Activities performed under Alliance Building

Organizing several consultation meetings, seminars, orientation, workshops with stakeholders

3 Strategic planning workshops with the national stakeholders to develop National TBP Framework

Major o utcomes

4 Component Prodocs drafted out of 9 planned

1 Component Programme, funded by Royal Netherlands Government, is approved by GoB, and started implementation

Latest s tatus

LO is in the process of mobilizing resources for other component programmes.

Annex 6

Facilities Developed by MoSW during 2000-2006

Sl	Facilities	Number	Capacity (# children)	Location
01	Baby home (ChhotoNibash)	3	300	Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet
02	Development and extension of training and rehabilitation centre for destitute and vagrant	1	100	Sylhet
03	Adolescent development centre (KUK)	1	150	Gazipur
04	Training and rehabilitation centre for destitute children	1	300	Gopalganj
05	Establishment of Shishu paribar (orphanage) at Mujibnagar	1	100	Meherpur
06	Shishu Paribar	1	100	Bandarban
07	Safe home	6	300	Rajshahi, Chittagong, Sylhet, Barisal, Bagerhat and Faridpur
	Total	14	1 350

Annex 7

Initial breastfeeding, MICS 2006

Background characteristics	Percentage who started breastfeeding within one hour of birth*	Percentage who started breastfeeding within one day of birth	Number of women with live birth in the two years preceding the survey
Division	Barisal	41.9	82.7	738
Chittagong	32.4	83.1	2 554
Dhaka	36.5	79.9	3 697
Khulna	32.7	80.9	1 145
Rajshahi	34.3	79.0	2 740
Sylhet	42.3	89.7	1 024
Area	Rural	35.5	81.7	8 757
Urban	36.0	81.0	3 040
Urban municipality	37.0	82.3	2 230
City corporations	33.1	77.5	811
Non-slum	33.0	77.3	729
Slum	34.5	79.1	81
Tribal	29.9	78.9	101
Months since last birth	< 6 months	34.6	79.0	2 352
6-11 months	37.1	81.9	3 442
12-23 months	35.2	82.3	6 104
Education	None	32.8	79.9	3 730
Primary incomplete	34.6	83.1	1 892
Primary completed	38.1	82.3	1 551
Secondary incomplete	37.5	82.0	3 429
Secondary completed or higher	36.9	81.3	1 260
Non-standard curriculum	40.6	85.1	38
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	34.0	80.8	2 908
Second	34.5	80.4	2 535
Middle	35.6	82.8	2 230
Fourth	38.2	82.5	2 238
Richest	36.5	81.3	1 989
National	35.6	81.5	11 899

Annex 8

Breastfeeding, MICS 2006

Percent of living children according to breastfeeding status at each age group, Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	Children 0-3 months	Children 0-5 months	Children 6-9 months	Children 12-15 months	Children 20-23 months
Percent exclusively breastfed	Number of children	Percent exclusively breastfed	Number of children	Percent receiving breast milk and solid/mushy food	Number of children	Percent breastfed	Number of children	Percent breastfed	Number of children
Sex	Male	48.0	694	36.0	1 192	50.3	1 201	94.4	938	88.4	1 201
Female	51.5	645	39.0	1 110	53.2	1 074	96.6	889	90.0	1 096
Division	Barisal	43.5	75	30.1	142	46.3	152	93.7	106	90.9	141
Chittagong	57.4	355	48.8	550	45.1	486	96.9	403	80.5	446
Dhaka	44.0	387	30.4	683	48.6	735	95.0	586	89.4	733
Khulna	47.9	127	38.3	205	70.6	186	96.7	193	94.5	246
Rajshahi	51.7	285	38.5	524	58.7	493	95.4	419	94.8	533
Sylhet	45.8	110	31.6	198	48.5	223	92.4	119	85.0	198
Area	Rural	50.2	983	37.7	1 717	53.2	1 685	97.1	1 349	90.0	1 663
Urban	47.2	342	35.2	562	46.9	572	90.7	465	86.8	618
Urban municipality	46.9	237	35.9	394	45.4	432	92.5	344	86.4	457
City c orporations	47.9	105	33.7	168	51.4	140	85.5	121	87.8	161
Non-slum	46.5	95	32.0	155	50.9	123	84.2	108	87.7	148
Slum	61.0	10	52.5	14	54.7	17	95.7	13	89.8	12
Tribal	72.8	14	68.6	23	56.8	18	100.0	12	92.1	16
Mother’s e ducation	None	48.1	397	37.2	680	46.3	746	96.8	550	89.4	729
Primary incomplete	56.5	193	40.0	348	48.6	345	97.8	300	90.6	356
Primary completed	49.6	171	34.3	305	55.8	329	97.1	240	92.0	299
Secondary incomplete	49.9	435	38.5	698	56.7	637	95.1	522	87.5	676
Secondary completed or higher	44.3	138	35.8	264	53.5	217	86.8	200	87.4	234
Non-standard curriculum	37.5	5	23.1	8	100.0	1	100.0	13	100.0	3
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	49.6	283	36.0	521	51.8	610	98.3	416	91.2	576
Second	48.3	287	35.6	500	47.5	494	96.4	385	90.8	469
Middle	51.7	260	39.6	424	50.7	387	98.7	374	89.3	403
Fourth	49.7	264	39.6	463	58.1	428	96.3	332	89.2	434
Richest	49.1	244	36.8	392	50.5	357	86.0	320	84.4	414
National	49.7	1 338	37.4	2 302	51.7	2 275	95.4	1 826	89.2	2 297

Annex 9

Iodized salt consumption, MICS 2006

Percentage of households consuming adequately iodized salt, Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	Percent of households in which salt was tested	Number of households interviewed	Percent of households with salt test result	Total	Number of households in which salt was tested or with no salt
Percent of households with no salt	Not iodized	Iodized (10+ PPM)*
Division	Barisal	99.1	3 909	.6	9.1	90.3	100.0	3 901
Chittagong	99.0	11 015	.8	21.5	77.7	100.0	10 987
Dhaka	98.6	20 219	1.0	15.0	84.0	100.0	20 128
Khulna	99.1	7 465	.7	5.7	93.6	100.0	7 445
Rajshahi	98.4	16 432	1.3	17.0	81.7	100.0	16 379
Sylhet	98.9	3 423	.9	7.0	92.1	100.0	3 415
Area	Rural	98.8	43 735	.9	17.8	81.2	100.0	43 614
Urban	98.6	18 138	1.0	7.5	91.5	100.0	18 056
Urban municipality	98.7	12 925	1.0	8.5	90.4	100.0	12 888
City c orporations	98.3	5 213	.8	4.8	94.3	100.0	5 169
Non-slum	98.3	4 793	.8	4.5	94.6	100.0	4 750
Slum	98.5	420	1.0	8.1	90.9	100.0	418
Tribal	98.7	590	.7	11.8	87.6	100.0	586
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	98.2	13 530	1.5	23.4	75.1	100.0	13 493
Second	98.8	13 019	.9	19.6	79.5	100.0	12 982
Middle	98.9	12 397	.8	15.5	83.7	100.0	12 361
Fourth	98.9	11 572	.8	10.1	89.1	100.0	11 532
Richest	98.9	11 946	.6	3.5	95.8	100.0	11 888
National	98.7	62 463	1.0	14.8	84.3	100.0	62 256

Annex 10

Children’s vitamin A supplementation, MICS 2006

Background characteristics	Percent of children who received Vitamin A	Total
Within last 6 months*	Prior to last 6 months	Not sure when	Not sure if received	Never received Vitamin A	Total	Number of children aged 6 ‑59 months
Sex	Male	85.1	2.0	1.1	.4	11.4	100.0	15 030
Female	84.7	1.8	1.2	.4	11.9	100.0	14 234
Division	Barisal	84.6	2.7	1.8	.5	10.4	100.0	1 731
Chittagong	86.0	1.2	.8	.4	11.6	100.0	6 247
Dhaka	84.2	2.0	1.0	.4	12.4	100.0	9 259
Khulna	87.6	2.0	.7	.1	9.6	100.0	2 943
Rajshahi	84.8	2.4	1.8	.5	10.4	100.0	6 760
Sylhet	81.9	1.3	1.0	.3	15.5	100.0	2 324
Area	Rural	84.0	2.0	1.3	.4	12.3	100.0	21 317
Urban	87.7	1.5	.8	.4	9.5	100.0	7 718
Urban municipality	87.6	1.6	.8	.4	9.6	100.0	5 667
City c orporations	88.0	1.5	1.0	.2	9.3	100.0	2 051
Non-slum	88.6	1.4	.9	.2	8.9	100.0	1 854
Slum	83.1	1.6	1.6	.5	13.2	100.0	197
Tribal	77.8	2.8	1.6	.6	17.2	100.0	230
Age	6-11 months	31.2	.2	.5	.4	67.8	100.0	3 367
12-23 months	88.7	1.9	.9	.3	8.3	100.0	6 032
24-35 months	92.6	2.0	1.4	.4	3.6	100.0	6 320
36-47 months	92.9	2.5	1.3	.5	2.9	100.0	6 789
48-59 months	93.1	2.1	1.4	.3	3.0	100.0	6 751
Mother’s education	None	83.1	1.9	1.7	.5	12.9	100.0	10 545
Primary incomplete	84.3	2.5	1.3	.5	11.4	100.0	4 650
Primary completed	84.9	2.0	.7	.3	12.2	100.0	3 779
Secondary i ncomplete	86.0	1.9	.8	.3	11.0	100.0	7 250
Secondary completed or higher	89.7	1.0	.7	.2	8.4	100.0	2 941
Non-standard curriculum	90.1	1.9	1.2	.1	6.7	100.0	99
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	81.8	2.2	1.5	.4	14.1	100.0	7 465
Second	82.6	2.7	1.4	.4	12.9	100.0	6 115
Middle	86.1	1.6	1.1	.6	10.7	100.0	5 494
Fourth	86.9	1.4	1.1	.3	10.2	100.0	5 391
Richest	89.1	1.4	.5	.2	8.8	100.0	4 800
National	84.9	1.9	1.2	.4	11.6	100.0	29 264

Annex 11

Low birth weight infants, MICS 2006

Background characteristics	Percent of live births below 2500grams*	Percent of live births weighed at birth**	Number of live births
Division	Barisal	24.0	13.5	738
Chittagong	27.6	11.8	2 554
Dhaka	27.1	17.0	3 697
Khulna	25.4	20.3	1 145
Rajshahi	25.7	16.3	2 740
Sylhet	29.5	12.4	1 024
Area	Rural	26.9	11.4	8 757
Urban	26.4	27.4	3 040
Urban municipality	25.9	24.1	2 230
City corporations	27.9	36.6	811
Non-slum	27.7	39.5	729
Slum	29.8	10.1	81
Tribal	24.1	4.3	101
Education	None	28.4	6.0	3 730
Primary incomplete	26.6	8.6	1 892
Primary completed	27.1	10.0	1 551
Secondary incomplete	25.8	18.7	3 429
Secondary completed or higher	24.1	52.0	1 260
Non-standard curriculum	23.7	4.6	38
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	28.2	7.6	2 908
Second	26.9	7.3	2 535
Middle	26.5	10.7	2 230
Fourth	25.9	16.1	2 238
Richest	25.5	42.0	1 989
National	26.7	15.5	11 899

Annex 12

Vaccinations by background characteristics, MICS 2006

Background characteristics	BCG	DPT1	DPT2	DPT3	Polio 0	Polio 1	Polio 2	Polio 3	Measles	All	None	Percent with health card	No. of children aged 12-23 months
Sex	Male	97.6	97.0	95.1	90.9	7.1	99.0	98.0	95.5	88.2	84.7	.9	65.9	3 109
Female	96.3	95.8	93.8	89.0	7.3	99.2	98.2	95.5	86.1	82.7	.7	65.0	2 923
Division	Barisal	98.0	97.6	95.6	89.5	13.1	98.9	97.6	94.3	90.4	83.4	.9	64.8	376
Chittagong	96.3	95.3	93.9	90.9	6.2	98.9	97.9	94.2	85.7	83.4	1.1	64.5	1 282
Dhaka	97.3	96.6	94.8	89.0	6.6	99.3	98.5	96.1	85.2	81.8	.5	60.0	1 868
Khulna	98.9	98.9	97.5	95.9	6.2	99.8	99.5	98.6	92.6	90.6	.2	70.3	609
Rajshahi	97.8	97.5	95.3	90.5	8.0	99.6	98.7	96.4	90.6	85.9	.2	70.3	1 386
Sylhet	91.9	91.6	87.6	83.3	6.3	96.4	94.7	91.5	79.8	77.5	3.4	69.3	510
Area	Rural	96.7	96.1	93.9	89.2	5.9	99.0	98.0	95.3	86.7	83.1	.9	65.3	4 403
Urban	98.0	97.7	96.1	92.4	10.8	99.4	98.7	96.4	88.6	85.7	.5	65.8	1 583
Urban municipality	98.2	98.2	96.6	93.4	8.9	99.3	99.0	96.7	89.0	86.6	.6	69.1	1 191
City c orporations	97.2	96.0	94.4	89.4	16.7	99.7	98.0	95.5	87.6	82.9	.3	56.0	392
Non-slum	97.7	96.5	95.0	90.4	17.5	99.7	98.3	95.9	89.1	84.2	.3	57.2	359
Slum	92.4	90.7	86.8	78.7	7.7	98.7	94.5	91.9	71.0	68.9	1.3	42.5	33
Tribal	88.8	87.0	85.1	80.6	2.5	94.0	92.1	86.4	78.7	76.2	5.1	67.8	46
Mother’s education	None	94.5	93.2	90.1	83.6	4.0	98.5	97.0	93.5	81.6	77.0	1.4	59.8	1 919
Primary incomplete	97.0	96.9	93.7	87.8	4.4	99.1	97.3	93.1	83.4	79.0	.9	66.5	939
Primary completed	97.3	96.8	95.5	91.7	5.3	99.0	98.1	96.2	87.8	84.6	.9	67.2	755
Secondary incomplete	98.8	98.8	97.9	95.6	8.8	99.7	99.4	98.1	92.3	90.9	.1	70.6	1 727
Secondary completed or higher	99.3	99.0	98.5	95.6	18.5	99.1	99.0	97.1	95.1	91.0	.7	65.7	666
Non-standard curriculum	81.7	81.7	78.9	72.3	.0	100.0	100.0	88.2	70.6	63.9	.0	53.5	26
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	94.0	93.5	90.3	84.2	4.2	98.6	96.8	93.8	82.5	78.0	1.3	62.3	1 438
Second	97.0	96.1	93.8	88.0	4.9	98.9	98.2	94.7	83.5	80.1	1.0	64.1	1 283
Middle	96.7	96.1	94.3	89.4	6.5	98.8	98.0	95.0	87.1	83.2	1.2	67.9	1 175
Fourth	99.0	98.7	97.3	95.1	7.0	99.6	99.0	97.2	91.7	89.6	.2	67.7	1 101
Richest	99.1	98.8	98.0	95.7	15.1	99.7	99.1	97.4	93.5	90.6	.0	66.3	1 036
National	97.0	96.4	94.4	90.0	7.2	99.1	98.1	95.5	87.2	83.7	.8	65.5	6 032

Annex 13

Oral rehydration treatment, MICS 2006

Background characteristics	Had diarrhoea in last two weeks	Number of children aged 0 ‑59 months	Fluid from ORS packet	Recommended homemade fluid	Pre-packaged ORS fluid	No treatment	ORT use rate	No. of children aged 0-59 months with diarrhoea
Sex	Male	7.4	16 222	63.4	12.5	4.4	29.3	70.7	1 200
Female	6.9	15 344	61.8	14.6	3.0	30.7	69.3	1 054
Division	Barisal	8.9	1 873	61.6	18.3	3.3	31.8	68.2	167
Chittagong	7.6	6 797	68.7	12.1	1.0	26.5	73.5	515
Dhaka	7.1	9 942	63.0	16.5	6.5	27.2	72.8	704
Khulna	4.4	3 148	56.5	4.8	1.9	39.9	60.1	139
Rajshahi	7.4	7 284	60.2	12.3	4.0	31.6	68.4	540
Sylhet	7.5	2 521	57.9	11.7	1.9	35.5	64.5	188
Area	Rural	7.1	23 034	59.5	14.1	2.9	32.3	67.7	1 630
Urban	7.4	8 280	71.2	11.9	6.1	23.5	76.5	611
Urban municipality	7.1	6 061	70.3	11.7	4.7	24.3	75.7	428
City c orporations	8.2	2 219	73.3	12.4	9.3	21.7	78.3	183
Non-slum	7.9	2 009	73.9	13.1	10.1	20.7	79.3	159
Slum	11.2	210	69.0	7.1	3.6	28.6	71.4	24
Tribal	5.1	253	61.5	4.3	3.3	32.8	67.2	13
Age	< 6 months	4.7	2 302	38.4	4.7	1.1	57.7	42.3	108
6-11 months	11.1	3 367	59.1	12.0	2.0	35.6	64.4	375
12-23 months	10.1	6 032	68.6	11.7	4.1	26.5	73.5	606
24-35 months	7.0	6 320	62.8	15.9	5.0	28.1	71.9	443
36-47 months	5.7	6 789	65.1	13.0	2.3	27.3	72.7	388
48-59 months	4.9	6 751	61.0	18.7	6.0	26.1	73.9	332
Mother’s education	None	7.9	11 224	58.6	11.8	2.1	33.8	66.2	882
Primary incomplete	8.3	4 997	62.2	14.7	3.2	30.2	69.8	417
Primary completed	6.7	4 084	60.0	17.6	8.3	30.1	69.9	274
Secondary incomplete	6.2	7 948	66.6	12.5	3.8	27.9	72.1	489
Secondary completed or higher	5.5	3 204	77.1	15.4	6.2	16.0	84.0	178
Non-standard curriculum	13.6	106	67.8	9.3	.0	22.9	77.1	14
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	8.6	7 987	57.5	12.6	1.8	34.6	65.4	685
Second	7.6	6 615	59.4	13.9	3.0	32.7	67.3	502
Middle	7.1	5 918	60.9	15.2	3.3	30.5	69.5	420
Fourth	5.6	5 854	71.3	13.1	4.6	23.1	76.9	325
Richest	6.2	5 192	72.4	12.8	8.7	21.6	78.4	321
National	7.1	31 566	62.7	13.5	3.7	29.9	70.1	2 254

Annex 14

Use of improved water sources, MICS 2006

Background characteristics	Main source of drinking water	Total	Improved source of drinking water	Number of household members
Improved sources	Unimproved sources
Piped into dwelling	Piped into yard or plot	Public tap/ standpipe	Tube well borehole	Protected well	Protected spring	Rainwater collection	Unprotected well	Unprotected spring	Surface water	Other
Division	Barisal	.5	.2	.9	95.0	.1	.0	.2	.0	.0	3.1	.0	100.0	96.9	19 099
Chittagong	4.3	2.2	1.5	87.7	1.1	.3	.1	1.1	.7	1.0	.1	100.0	97.2	59 424
Dhaka	9.2	5.4	2.5	82.4	.2	.0	.0	.1	.0	.1	.1	100.0	99.6	95 557
Khulna	.7	1.1	2.5	87.0	.1	.0	.3	.0	.0	7.9	.4	100.0	91.7	33 854
Rajshahi	.5	.4	.5	97.2	.5	.0	.0	.7	.0	.0	.2	100.0	99.1	73 400
Sylhet	2.8	.9	1.1	87.8	.8	.0	.1	.4	.1	6.0	.0	100.0	93.5	20 398
Area	Rural	.1	.2	.3	95.9	.6	.1	.1	.5	.1	2.2	.1	100.0	97.1	212 285
Urban	14.3	8.1	5.0	71.5	.1	.0	.0	.0	.0	.5	.2	100.0	99.2	86 762
Urban municipality	4.4	3.5	3.2	87.6	.2	.0	.0	.0	.0	.8	.2	100.0	99.0	62 086
City c orporations	39.0	19.8	9.6	31.2	.0	.0	.0	.0	.0	.0	.2	100.0	99.7	24 676
Non-slum	42.1	18.2	7.9	31.5	.0	.0	.1	.0	.0	.0	.2	100.0	99.7	22 763
Slum	2.4	39.7	29.8	27.7	.1	.0	.0	.0	.0	.1	.1	100.0	99.8	1 913
Tribal	.0	.3	.2	70.7	6.6	.8	.0	10.5	5.4	3.3	2.3	100.0	78.5	2 685
Education of household head	None	.6	1.7	1.7	92.6	.7	.1	.1	.5	.2	1.8	.1	100.0	97.4	130 785
Primary incomplete	1.3	2.2	1.8	90.9	.6	.1	.0	.5	.3	2.1	.1	100.0	96.9	38 100
Primary completed	2.2	2.1	1.6	91.1	.3	.0	.1	.3	.1	2.1	.1	100.0	97.4	32 288
Secondary incomplete	3.8	3.4	1.7	88.2	.3	.1	.1	.3	.1	1.7	.3	100.0	97.6	50 570
Secondary completed or higher	17.8	3.8	1.3	75.3	.2	.1	.1	.2	.0	.9	.1	100.0	98.7	48 344
Non-standard curriculum	.7	.0	.0	95.5	.0	1.5	.0	1.9	.0	.4	.0	100.0	97.8	846
Missing/DK	.1	15.8	1.9	80.9	.6	.0	.0	.2	.0	.4	.0	100.0	99.4	798
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	.0	.0	.0	98.7	.3	.0	.0	.2	.0	.7	.0	100.0	99.0	60 145
Second	.0	.0	.5	95.0	.7	.1	.0	.7	.2	2.7	.1	100.0	96.4	60 461
Middle	.0	.6	2.0	91.7	.9	.2	.1	.8	.4	3.1	.1	100.0	95.6	60 435
Fourth	.2	2.5	2.9	91.4	.4	.0	.2	.3	.1	1.7	.3	100.0	97.5	60 343
Richest	20.6	9.1	2.8	66.6	.1	.0	.0	.1	.0	.4	.1	100.0	99.3	60 349
National	4.2	2.4	1.6	88.7	.5	.1	.1	.4	.1	1.7	.1	100.0	97.6	301 732

Annex 15

Household water treatment

Background characteristics	Water treatment method used in the household	All drinking water sources: Appropriate water treatment method*	Number of household members	Improved drinking water sources: Appropriate water treatment method	Number of household members	Unimproved drinking water sources: Approprate water treatment method	Number of household members
None	Boil	Add bleach/ chlorine	Strain through a cloth	Use water filter	Use fitkiri	Let it stand and settle	Other	Don’t know
Division	Barisal	93.1	3.5	.2	.8	.9	4.7	.1	.1	.0	6.5	19 099	3.6	18 500	97.0	599
Chittagong	93.4	4.6	.0	.9	.9	1.5	.1	.0	.0	6.0	59 424	5.6	57 765	21.5	1 659
Dhaka	87.3	10.6	.2	3.2	2.2	.6	.0	.3	.0	12.4	95 557	12.3	95 211	17.8	346
Khulna	90.7	.8	.0	2.3	4.9	3.4	.1	.2	.0	8.4	33 854	3.0	31 044	69.0	2 810
Rajshahi	98.3	.5	.0	.3	.9	.1	.1	.1	.0	1.4	73 400	1.4	72 768	.3	632
Sylhet	90.8	3.1	.1	1.4	4.9	.9	.2	.1	.0	8.2	20 398	6.8	19 077	28.2	1 321
Area	Rural	96.7	.8	.0	.7	1.4	1.1	.1	.0	.0	2.9	212 285	1.5	206 210	47.4	6 075
Urban	80.9	15.1	.2	4.1	3.7	1.6	.0	.4	.0	18.5	86 762	18.2	86 046	58.3	716
Urban municipality	92.6	3.4	.1	.9	3.2	1.5	.0	.2	.0	7.0	62 086	6.5	61 439	60.6	648
City c orporations	51.6	44.5	.6	12.3	4.9	1.9	.0	1.0	.0	47.5	24 676	47.5	24 607	36.5	69
Non-slum	48.2	47.7	.6	13.1	5.3	1.9	.0	1.1	.0	50.9	22 763	51.0	22 698	34.9	65
Slum	92.4	5.4	.1	1.9	.3	1.0	.1	.2	.0	6.7	1 913	6.6	1 910	69.6	3
Tribal	96.0	.9	.0	2.7	.4	.1	.0	.0	.0	1.3	2 685	1.0	2 109	2.7	576
Education of household head	None	97.0	1.2	.1	.9	.7	.8	.1	.1	.0	2.5	130 785	1.6	127 326	34.9	3 459
Primary incomplete	95.1	2.5	.1	1.1	1.0	1.4	.1	.0	.0	4.5	38 100	3.1	36 909	46.8	1 191
Primary completed	94.0	2.9	.0	1.2	1.8	1.5	.1	.0	.0	5.6	32 288	4.1	31 435	59.8	853
Secondary incomplete	91.3	5.2	.1	1.9	2.1	1.4	.1	.1	.0	8.1	50 570	6.9	49 364	55.1	1 206
Secondary completed or higher	76.4	17.7	.1	4.4	6.4	1.9	.0	.6	.0	23.1	48 344	22.7	47 710	57.5	634
Non-standard curriculum	98.3	.4	.0	.0	1.1	.7	.0	.0	.0	1.7	846	1.4	827	16.7	19
Missing/DK	84.5	10.3	.0	11.0	2.6	.5	1.5	.0	.0	13.3	798	13.0	794	72.9	5
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	98.9	.2	.0	.3	.3	.4	.1	.0	.0	.9	60 145	.6	59 542	27.4	603
Second	97.2	.7	.1	.7	.8	1.2	.1	.0	.0	2.3	60 461	.9	58 271	39.6	2 190
Middle	96.0	1.1	.0	1.0	1.3	1.7	.1	.1	.0	3.5	60 435	1.5	57 772	45.6	2 663
Fourth	95.6	1.1	.1	.9	1.8	1.3	.1	.0	.0	3.9	60 343	2.6	58 853	54.6	1 490
Richest	73.2	21.3	.2	5.7	5.9	1.6	.0	.5	.0	26.2	60 349	26.0	59 927	59.8	422
National		92.2	4.9	.1	1.7	2.0	1.2	.1	.1	.0	7.4	301 732	6.4	294 365	45.0	7 367

Annex 16

Time to source of water, MICS 2006

Percent distribution of households according to time to go to source of drinking water, get water and return, and mean time to source of drinking water, Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	Time to source of drinking water	Total	Mean time (in minutes) to source of drinking water (excluding those on premises)	Number of households
Water on premises	Less than 15 minutes	15 minutes to less than 30 minutes	30 minutes to less than 1 hour	1 hour or more	DK	Missing
Division	Barisal	27.4	43.4	16.8	10.4	1.4	.5	.0	100.0	14.6	3 909
Chittagong	59.2	26.7	8.9	4.3	.7	.3	.0	100.0	13.3	11 015
Dhaka	77.1	17.5	3.8	1.3	.1	.1	.1	100.0	10.3	20 219
Khulna	58.6	28.0	7.6	4.3	1.4	.1	.0	100.0	14.4	7 465
Rajshahi	78.6	18.4	2.3	.4	.1	.2	.1	100.0	8.3	16 432
Sylhet	59.7	24.0	10.3	4.9	.8	.2	.2	100.0	14.5	3 423
Area	Rural	65.1	24.2	6.9	3.1	.6	.2	.1	100.0	12.5	43 735
Urban	76.6	18.2	3.3	1.5	.2	.1	.1	100.0	10.7	18 138
Urban municipality	75.6	18.8	3.7	1.6	.2	.1	.1	100.0	11.0	12 925
City c orporations	79.2	16.7	2.3	1.3	.1	.3	.2	100.0	9.7	5 213
Non-slum	80.6	15.7	2.0	1.1	.0	.3	.2	100.0	9.3	4 793
Slum	63.2	27.2	5.5	3.0	.7	.3	.1	100.0	12.0	420
Tribal	24.2	41.8	18.5	11.5	3.7	.2	.0	100.0	16.9	590
Education of household head	None	62.0	26.5	7.3	3.3	.6	.3	.1	100.0	12.4	27 559
Primary incomplete	62.7	26.1	6.8	3.5	.7	.1	.1	100.0	12.6	7 721
Primary completed	68.2	22.3	6.0	2.9	.4	.1	.0	100.0	12.4	6 506
Secondary incomplete	73.8	18.7	4.8	2.1	.4	.1	.1	100.0	12.0	10 349
Secondary completed or higher	82.8	13.2	2.6	1.0	.1	.1	.2	100.0	10.4	9 982
Non-standard curriculum	61.4	32.4	4.1	2.0	.0	.0	.0	100.0	8.8	190
Missing/DK	68.8	20.9	4.8	4.0	1.5	.0	.0	100.0	17.6	154
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	58.6	29.7	7.9	3.0	.5	.2	.1	100.0	11.7	13 530
Second	59.0	26.7	8.5	4.5	.9	.3	.0	100.0	13.6	13 019
Middle	63.5	25.5	6.8	3.4	.5	.2	.1	100.0	12.4	12 397
Fourth	74.7	18.9	4.0	1.9	.3	.1	.1	100.0	11.3	11 572
Richest	86.8	10.6	1.9	.5	.1	.1	.1	100.0	10.0	11 946
National		68.0	22.6	5.9	2.7	.5	.2	.1	100.0	12.2	62 463

Annex 17

Person collecting water

Percent distribution of households according to the person collecting water used in the household, Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	Person collecting drinking water	Total	Number of households
Adult woman	Adult man	Female child (under 15)	Male child (under 15)	DK	Missing
Division	Barisal	77.3	11.6	7.8	2.7	.2	.5	100.0	2 838
Chittagong	88.3	4.1	5.2	1.7	.1	.5	100.0	4 497
Dhaka	91.5	3.1	3.7	.5	.2	1.1	100.0	4 634
Khulna	88.5	6.1	3.9	.7	.2	.5	100.0	3 091
Rajshahi	94.6	1.5	2.6	.1	.0	1.1	100.0	3 523
Sylhet	90.0	3.3	4.7	.8	.1	1.0	100.0	1 380
Area	Rural	89.1	4.3	4.6	1.1	.1	.7	100.0	15 277
Urban	86.9	6.4	4.2	1.1	.1	1.2	100.0	4 237
Urban municipality	87.1	6.0	4.4	1.1	.1	1.3	100.0	3 152
City c orporations	86.1	7.7	3.7	1.3	.1	1.1	100.0	1 085
Non-slum	85.6	8.3	3.5	1.5	.1	1.0	100.0	930
Slum	89.3	4.0	4.8	.3	.0	1.6	100.0	155
Tribal	94.0	2.6	2.8	.2	.0	.4	100.0	448
Education of household head	None	90.9	3.2	4.3	.8	.1	.7	100.0	10 467
Primary incomplete	88.0	4.8	5.0	1.3	.1	.8	100.0	2 883
Primary completed	88.2	4.9	5.0	1.2	.2	.6	100.0	2 068
Secondary incomplete	87.0	6.8	3.9	1.2	.2	1.0	100.0	2 709
Secondary completed or higher	80.6	11.0	5.1	2.3	.1	.8	100.0	1 713
Non-standard curriculum	87.5	2.8	7.5	.0	2.2	.0	100.0	73
Missing/DK	87.2	5.6	7.2	.0	.0	.0	100.0	48
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	92.3	2.2	4.0	.5	.1	.8	100.0	5 595
Second	88.7	4.5	4.8	1.2	.1	.6	100.0	5 340
Middle	88.2	5.1	4.8	1.1	.1	.7	100.0	4 525
Fourth	87.3	6.1	4.1	1.5	.2	.8	100.0	2 922
Richest	80.4	10.7	5.3	1.8	.5	1.3	100.0	1 580
National	88.8	4.7	4.5	1.1	.1	.8	100.0	19 962

Annex 18

Disposal of child’s faeces, MICS 2006

Percent distribution of children aged 0-2 years according to place of disposal of child’s faeces, and the percentage of children aged 0-2 years whose stools are disposed of safely, Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	What was done to dispose of the stools	Total	Proportion of children whose stools are disposed of safely	Number of children aged 0 ‑2 years
Child used toilet/latrine	Put/rinsed into toilet or latrine	Put/rinsed into drain or ditch	Thrown into garbage (solid waste)	Buried	Left in the open	Other	DK	Missing
Division	Barisal	2.9	22.9	29.0	5.6	.5	31.1	6.3	1.1	.7	100.0	25.8	1 071
Chittagong	1.3	22.7	22.3	12.0	.4	34.5	4.3	1.8	.7	100.0	24.0	3 894
Dhaka	1.2	24.5	21.0	12.0	.4	32.0	7.5	.8	.6	100.0	25.8	5 748
Khulna	.8	23.3	24.1	6.3	.4	39.1	5.3	.2	.6	100.0	24.1	1 786
Rajshahi	1.4	14.2	18.7	14.6	1.9	43.1	4.9	.6	.7	100.0	15.6	4 238
Sylhet	1.3	20.0	28.2	6.3	.4	37.6	4.9	.4	.8	100.0	21.3	1 492
Area	Rural	.8	14.1	22.5	12.3	.9	41.8	6.1	1.0	.7	100.0	14.9	13 310
Urban	2.9	41.0	21.5	8.4	.2	20.4	4.3	.6	.7	100.0	43.9	4 765
Urban municipality	2.6	34.7	22.4	9.1	.3	24.7	4.6	.8	.8	100.0	37.3	3 491
City c orporations	3.7	58.1	18.9	6.6	.1	8.5	3.6	.1	.5	100.0	61.8	1 274
Non-slum	3.9	61.4	17.1	6.0	.1	7.8	3.4	.0	.4	100.0	65.2	1 157
Slum	1.9	26.3	37.0	13.0	.0	15.6	5.3	.2	.7	100.0	28.2	117
Tribal	.8	16.5	12.1	6.9	.3	46.5	15.8	.7	.4	100.0	17.4	154
Mother’s education	None	.5	10.4	23.4	12.3	.8	44.4	6.3	1.0	.8	100.0	10.9	6 018
Primary incomplete	1.0	14.4	24.6	12.1	.5	39.9	6.1	.9	.5	100.0	15.4	2 866
Primary completed	1.1	16.5	24.8	12.5	.5	37.5	5.1	1.1	.9	100.0	17.6	2 343
Secondary incomplete	1.4	27.3	20.9	10.6	.9	32.3	5.3	.8	.5	100.0	28.8	4 987
Secondary completed or higher	4.4	54.2	14.6	6.3	1.0	13.8	4.8	.3	.7	100.0	58.7	1 957
Non-standard curriculum	.0	6.5	22.0	16.9	3.0	42.6	6.6	2.4	.0	100.0	6.5	56
Missing/DK	.0	50.4	.0	.0	.0	.0	49.6	.0	.0	100.0	50.4	2
Wealth	Poorest	.5	6.2	21.3	13.6	.9	49.8	6.1	.8	.8	100.0	6.8	4 496
index	Second	.6	9.9	23.7	11.8	.8	45.0	6.4	1.2	.5	100.0	10.5	3 865
quintiles	Middle	1.1	16.2	24.3	11.9	.7	37.7	6.6	1.0	.6	100.0	17.3	3 396
	Fourth	1.2	24.6	24.4	12.3	.9	30.0	5.0	1.0	.8	100.0	25.7	3 398
	Richest	3.9	58.8	16.5	5.1	.4	10.5	4.0	.3	.6	100.0	62.7	3 073
National		1.3	21.1	22.1	11.2	.7	36.2	5.7	.9	.7	100.0	22.5	18 228

Annex 19

Antenatal care provider, MICS 2006

Percent distribution of women aged 15-49 who gave birth in the two years preceding the survey by type of personnel providing antenatal care, Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	Person providing antenatal care	Total	Any skilled personnel	Number of women who gave birth in the preceding two years
Medical doctor	Nurse/ midwife	Traditional birth attendant	Community health worker	Relative/ Friend	Other/ missing	No antenatal care received
Division	Barisal	34.2	7.6	1.3	3.5	3.2	3.4	46.7	100.0	41.8	738
Chittagong	39.8	9.6	.7	3.1	.4	3.6	42.8	100.0	49.4	2 554
Dhaka	40.0	8.7	.2	4.3	.1	1.9	44.7	100.0	48.7	3 697
Khulna	41.6	10.9	.0	3.6	.2	2.5	41.2	100.0	52.5	1 145
Rajshahi	30.5	15.3	.5	7.6	.6	4.2	41.4	100.0	45.8	2 740
Sylhet	34.7	8.6	.1	4.0	.1	2.6	49.9	100.0	43.3	1 024
Area	Rural	31.1	10.1	.5	5.1	.4	3.6	49.2	100.0	41.2	8 757
Urban	54.9	12.0	.2	3.4	.7	1.5	27.4	100.0	66.9	3 040
Urban municipality	51.3	12.1	.2	3.5	.8	1.8	30.3	100.0	63.4	2 230
City c orporations	64.6	11.8	.2	3.0	.4	.6	19.4	100.0	76.4	811
Non-slum	68.1	10.9	.2	3.0	.4	.6	16.8	100.0	79.1	729
Slum	33.0	19.6	.2	3.4	.0	.9	43.0	100.0	52.6	81
Tribal	21.3	7.0	.0	4.7	.0	1.8	65.2	100.0	28.3	101
Age	15-19 years	33.5	12.9	.2	6.1	.2	3.7	43.3	100.0	46.5	2 364
20-24 years	39.0	11.0	.5	4.3	.5	2.9	41.9	100.0	49.9	4 111
25-29 years	39.2	10.2	.6	4.9	.8	2.6	41.8	100.0	49.4	2 946
30-34 years	37.6	9.1	.3	3.1	.6	3.2	46.1	100.0	46.7	1 554
35-39 years	32.8	6.9	.3	4.4	.3	2.7	52.5	100.0	39.7	735
40-44 years	25.4	3.8	.0	4.5	.0	3.3	63.1	100.0	29.2	150
45-49 years	9.8	4.7	3.8	3.7	.0	2.5	75.5	100.0	14.5	40
Education	None	19.9	9.4	.6	4.5	.7	3.4	61.5	100.0	29.3	3 730
Primary incomplete	26.6	12.2	.2	4.7	.3	3.0	53.0	100.0	38.8	1 892
Primary completed	30.4	12.2	.5	5.4	.6	3.1	47.8	100.0	42.6	1 551
Secondary incomplete	49.4	11.5	.2	5.2	.4	3.2	30.0	100.0	60.9	3 429
Secondary completed or higher	79.4	6.8	.3	2.2	.2	1.5	9.6	100.0	86.2	1 260
Non-standard curriculum	12.9	12.2	.0	19.4	.0	.0	55.5	100.0	25.0	38
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	17.6	9.5	.4	6.1	.7	3.3	62.4	100.0	27.1	2 908
Second	24.5	10.6	.8	4.9	.5	3.9	54.8	100.0	35.1	2 535
Middle	31.6	13.3	.5	4.3	.8	3.8	45.8	100.0	44.9	2 230
Fourth	48.7	12.0	.1	4.7	.3	2.6	31.4	100.0	60.8	2 238
Richest	74.8	7.2	.2	2.5	.1	1.0	14.0	100.0	82.1	1 989
National		37.1	10.6	.4	4.6	.5	3.0	43.8	100.0	47.7	11 899

Annex 20

Assistance during delivery, MICS 2006

Percent distribution of women aged 15‑49 with a birth in two years preceding the survey by type of personnel assisting at delivery, Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	Person assisting at delivery	Total	Any skilled personnel *	Delivered in health facility **	Number of women who gave birth in preceding two years
Medical doctor	Nurse/ midwife	Traditional birth attendant	Community health worker	Relative/ friend	Other/ missing	No attendant
Division	Barisal	10.7	3.2	69.0	.5	13.9	1.3	1.5	100.0	13.9	10.3	738
Chittagong	12.6	5.7	69.4	1.3	9.7	.8	.4	100.0	18.4	12.4	2 554
Dhaka	18.4	4.1	64.5	.7	10.6	.9	.8	100.0	22.5	18.7	3 697
Khulna	21.4	5.9	66.5	.5	4.9	.6	.2	100.0	27.3	23.6	1 145
Rajshahi	13.9	4.7	60.3	1.5	16.7	1.6	1.3	100.0	18.6	15.7	2 740
Sylhet	12.8	3.2	74.9	.5	7.4	.7	.5	100.0	16.0	12.2	1 024
Area	Rural	10.6	3.4	71.1	.9	12.3	.9	.9	100.0	14.0	10.7	8 757
Urban	29.8	8.0	51.0	1.3	7.9	1.3	.6	100.0	37.9	31.7	3 040
Urban municipality	26.8	8.3	53.3	1.2	8.6	1.1	.6	100.0	35.1	29.2	2 230
City c orporations	38.1	7.3	44.5	1.4	6.0	1.9	.8	100.0	45.4	38.6	811
Non ‑slum	41.1	8.0	41.6	1.5	5.3	1.7	.8	100.0	49.2	42.0	729
Slum	10.8	.7	70.9	.5	12.8	3.6	.7	100.0	11.5	7.8	81
Tribal	4.6	3.6	73.3	.1	17.0	1.3	.1	100.0	8.2	4.2	101
Age	15 ‑19	13.3	5.7	65.8	1.1	12.3	1.1	.7	100.0	19.0	15.1	2 364
20 ‑24	15.5	4.4	65.4	1.0	12.3	1.0	.4	100.0	19.9	15.4	4 111
25 ‑29	17.8	4.5	65.4	.8	9.7	.9	.9	100.0	22.3	18.2	2 946
30 ‑34	15.4	4.2	66.7	.8	10.4	1.3	1.3	100.0	19.6	16.6	1 554
35 ‑39	14.3	4.3	69.3	1.7	9.2	.4	.7	100.0	18.7	14.4	735
40 ‑44	9.6	2.4	68.9	.0	13.2	1.9	4.0	100.0	12.0	7.9	150
45 ‑49	6.2	2.2	73.6	.0	9.9	1.5	6.6	100.0	8.3	6.2	40
Education	None	4.7	2.3	76.7	.5	13.5	1.3	1.1	100.0	7.0	5.1	3 730
Primary incomplete	7.9	3.7	71.8	.9	14.2	.8	.7	100.0	11.6	8.6	1 892
Primary completed	10.7	3.8	71.2	.6	12.2	.6	.9	100.0	14.5	11.2	1 551
Secondary incomplete	19.9	6.2	61.5	1.3	9.4	1.0	.6	100.0	26.1	20.1	3 429
Secondary completed or higher	52.7	9.6	30.4	2.1	3.7	1.1	.4	100.0	62.2	54.5	1 260
Non ‑standard curriculum	10.1	.0	84.5	.0	5.3	.0	.0	100.0	10.1	6.4	38
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	4.6	1.9	74.2	.4	16.6	1.1	1.1	100.0	6.5	4.8	2 908
Second	6.4	2.6	75.3	.6	13.5	.6	1.0	100.0	9.0	6.2	2 535
Middle	10.4	4.1	71.0	.8	11.8	1.2	.7	100.0	14.5	11.0	2 230
Fourth	18.7	6.0	64.3	1.8	7.5	1.0	.6	100.0	24.8	19.1	2 238
Richest	44.9	10.1	38.2	1.5	3.9	1.0	.4	100.0	55.0	47.1	1 989
National	15.5	4.6	66.0	1.0	11.2	1.0	.8	100.0	20.1	16.0	11 899

Annex 21

Early childhood education, MICS 2006

Background characteristics	Percentage of children aged 36‑59 months currently attending early childhood education	Number of children aged 36‑59 months	Percentage of children attending first grade who attended preschool program in previous year	Number of children attending first grade
Sex	Male	14.0	6 897	31.3	1 596
Female	15.3	6 644	32.7	1 556
Division	Barisal	15.5	811	38.6	181
Chittagong	16.2	2 940	38.5	619
Dhaka	15.8	4 266	31.9	994
Khulna	17.4	1 392	32.8	378
Rajshahi	10.3	3 086	26.1	734
Sylhet	14.1	1 047	27.4	246
Area	Rural	15.5	9 869	28.0	2 264
Urban	12.0	3 572	41.7	864
Urban municipality	11.9	2 621	36.2	598
City corporations	12.2	951	53.9	266
Non‑slum	12.6	857	55.0	254
Slum	8.6	94	31.6	12
Tribal	25.2	100	53.0	24
Age of child	36‑47 months	7.0	6 789	.	0
48‑59 months	22.3	6 751	.	0
6 years	.	0	32.0	3 152
Mother’s education	None	11.1	5 265	26.3	1 194
Primary incomplete	16.2	2 166	30.2	519
Primary completed	16.8	1 769	32.7	463
Secondary incomplete	16.1	3 012	35.8	654
Secondary completed or higher	19.7	1 278	47.5	309
Non‑standard curriculum	20.2	51	34.9	13
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	11.4	3 545	22.4	680
Second	14.4	2 792	26.6	645
Middle	16.0	2 550	30.0	620
Fourth	16.7	2 498	33.4	609
Richest	16.2	2 156	49.1	598
National	14.6	13 541	32.0	3 152

Annex 22

Primary school net attendance ratio, MICS 2006

Percentage of children of primary school age attending primary school or secondary school (NAR), Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	Male	Female	Total
Net attendance ratio	Number of children	Net attendance ratio	Number of children	Net attendance ratio*	Number of children
Division	Barisal	75.0	1 279	80.5	1 295	77.8	2 574
Chittagong	75.0	4 239	78.9	3 985	76.9	8 224
Dhaka	69.7	6 210	75.7	5 917	72.6	12 127
Khulna	79.4	2 042	83.1	1 931	81.2	3 973
Rajshahi	72.5	4 531	76.7	4 299	74.6	8 830
Sylhet	75.4	1 488	78.7	1 437	77.0	2 924
Area	Rural	73.3	14 398	78.3	13 819	75.8	28 217
Urban	73.6	5 200	77.3	4 874	75.4	10 073
Urban municipality	74.2	3 828	78.5	3 533	76.2	7 361
City c orporations	72.2	1 372	74.3	1 341	73.2	2 712
Non ‑slum	75.7	1 227	76.6	1 205	76.1	2 432
Slum	42.5	145	54.1	135	48.1	280
Tribal	62.3	192	62.9	171	62.6	363
Age	6 years	51.0	3 682	55.0	3 457	53.0	7 139
7 years	71.3	4 096	76.2	4 180	73.8	8 276
8 years	80.6	4 041	84.4	3 972	82.5	8 014
9 years	83.1	3 330	87.1	3 209	85.1	6 538
10 years	79.2	4 641	85.7	4 044	82.2	8 685
Mother’s education	None	67.1	9 946	73.6	9 475	70.3	19 421
Primary incomplete	76.2	3 162	79.7	2 980	77.9	6 142
Primary completed	79.5	2 360	84.0	2 147	81.7	4 508
Secondary incomplete	82.9	2 946	84.4	2 818	83.6	5 764
Secondary completed or higher	80.7	1 269	81.4	1 363	81.1	2 632
Non ‑standard curriculum	67.6	93	78.6	67	72.2	161
Missing/DK	64.0	13	67.6	13	65.8	26
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	64.9	5 033	72.1	4 978	68.5	10 011
Second	71.9	4 328	77.4	4 046	74.6	8 374
Middle	74.0	3 962	80.2	3 683	77.0	7 645
Fourth	79.5	3 480	81.8	3 135	80.6	6 615
Richest	81.1	2 987	81.4	3 021	81.3	6 008
National	73.3	19 790	77.9	18 863	75.6	38 653

Annex 23

Secondary school net attendance ratio, MICS 2006

Background characteristics	Male	Female	Total
Net attendance ratio	Number of children	Net attendance ratio	Number of children	Net attendance ratio*	Number of children
Division	Barisal	40.7	1550	46.4	1598	43.6	3148
Chittagong	35.3	4892	43.0	5173	39.3	10065
Dhaka	35.1	7035	42.1	7337	38.7	14371
Khulna	41.7	2444	52.4	2474	47.1	4918
Rajshahi	36.8	5586	44.4	5587	40.6	11173
Sylhet	27.9	1638	33.5	1678	30.7	3316
Area	Rural	33.5	16571	41.9	16547	37.7	33118
Urban	42.8	6393	47.8	7096	45.4	13489
Urban municipality	41.6	4678	50.0	5007	45.9	9685
City corporations	45.9	1715	42.5	2089	44.0	3804
Non‑slum	48.9	1571	45.1	1920	46.8	3491
Slum	13.0	143	12.9	169	12.9	312
Tribal	39.7	180	37.4	204	38.5	384
Age	11 years	19.5	2930	27.6	2755	23.4	5685
12 years	30.4	4301	41.6	3886	35.7	8187
13 years	44.1	2992	57.5	3488	51.3	6480
14 years	46.2	3091	58.7	3089	52.4	6180
15 years	40.5	3657	48.8	3644	44.7	7301
16 years	36.3	3343	39.9	3719	38.2	7062
17 years	36.8	2830	28.7	3267	32.5	6097
Mother’s education	None	22.8	12373	36.0	10448	28.8	22820
Primary incomplete	37.8	3208	52.6	2949	44.9	6157
Primary completed	50.4	2563	64.2	2404	57.1	4968
Secondary incomplete	65.8	2787	76.5	2759	71.1	5546
Secondary completed or higher	55.8	2127	26.7	5200	35.1	7327
Non‑standard curriculum	23.8	80	57.0	65	38.7	144
Missing/DK	36.3	7	25.8	21	28.3	28
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	14.7	4427	24.0	4142	19.2	8569
Second	26.5	4970	34.8	4949	30.6	9919
Middle	34.6	4917	42.4	5135	38.6	10052
Fourth	45.4	4561	54.1	4880	49.9	9441
Richest	61.4	4268	60.2	4741	60.8	9009
National	36.1	23144	43.6	23846	39.9	46991

Annex 24

Education gender parity, MICS 2006

Background characteristics	Primary school net attendance ratio (NAR), girls	Primary school net attendance ratio (NAR), boys	Gender parity index (GPI) for primary school NAR	Secondary school net attendance ratio (NAR), girls	Secondary school net attendance ratio (NAR), boys	Gender parity index (GPI) for secondary school NAR
Sex	Male	.	65.9	.	.	36.1	.
Female	69.9	.	.	43.6	.	.
Division	Barisal	75.4	69.2	1.11	50.9	45.4	1.13
Chittagong	69.4	66.8	1.04	43.2	37.9	1.16
Dhaka	67.7	62.6	1.09	43.7	36.5	1.26
Khulna	75.9	73.0	1.05	54.3	42.8	1.29
Rajshahi	68.2	64.7	1.06	47.3	38.7	1.26
Sylhet	71.2	67.1	1.07	38.4	33.7	1.18
Area	Rural	70.5	66.8	1.06	42.4	34.7	1.25
Urban	70.6	66.4	1.08	50.2	42.6	1.22
Urban municipality	71.5	67.1	1.08	51.5	42.9	1.25
City corporations	63.7	60.6	1.07	39.3	40.7	.97
Non‑slum	69.5	67.2	1.04	48.0	49.5	.97
Slum	46.5	40.6	1.15	13.3	14.3	.96
Tribal	58.6	57.4	1.03	42.3	39.6	1.07
Mother’s education	None	66.8	60.8	1.10	36.0	22.8	1.58
Primary incomplete	71.9	69.3	1.04	52.6	37.8	1.39
Primary completed	73.7	71.0	1.04	64.2	50.4	1.27
Secondary incomplete	73.7	72.8	1.01	76.5	65.8	1.16
Secondary completed or higher	72.5	70.0	1.03	26.7	55.8	.48
Non‑standard curriculum	74.1	60.2	1.23	57.0	23.8	2.39
Missing/DK	64.4	65.5	.98	25.8	36.3	.71
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	64.4	58.0	1.11	24.0	14.7	1.64
Second	69.1	64.7	1.07	34.8	26.5	1.32
Middle	72.0	67.4	1.07	42.4	34.6	1.23
Fourth	73.6	71.6	1.03	54.1	45.4	1.19
Richest	73.9	72.5	1.02	60.2	61.4	.98
National	69.9	65.9	1.06	43.6	36.1	1.21

Annex 25

Adult literacy, MICS 2006

Percentage of women aged 15‑24 years that are literate, Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	Percentage literate	Percentage not known	Number of women aged 15‑24 years
Division	Barisal	72.3	.2	1 609
Chittagong	74.0	.5	5 630
Dhaka	68.5	.4	8 765
Khulna	74.3	.4	3 095
Rajshahi	67.9	.3	6 891
Sylhet	62.7	.5	1 924
Area	Rural	67.6	.4	18 986
Urban	75.4	.4	8 703
Urban municipality	75.9	.4	6 093
City corporations	74.2	.5	2 610
Non‑slum	77.0	.5	2 423
Slum	38.2	.6	187
Tribal	54.7	.2	225
Education	None	.0	.0	3 948
Primary incomplete	22.2	1.2	3 555
Primary completed	55.3	1.9	3 580
Secondary incomplete	100.0	.0	12 305
Secondary completed or higher	100.0	.0	4 419
Non‑standard curriculum	28.8	.4	105
Missing/DK	23.8	76.2	3
Age	15‑19	76.0	.5	15 284
20‑24	62.6	.3	12 630
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	40.2	.6	4 457
Second	57.7	.5	5 336
Middle	71.7	.5	5 809
Fourth	82.6	.2	6 054
Richest	87.7	.3	6 258
National	69.9	.4	27 914

Annex 26

Students Enrolled in Primary School by Boys and Girls since 1991

Year	Number of students	% of students
Total	Boys	Girls	Boys	Girls
1991	12 635 419	6 910 092	5 725 327	54.7	45.3
1992	13 017 267	7 048 542	5 968 725	54.2	45.8
1993	14 067 332	7 525 862	6 541 470	53.5	46.5
1994	15 180 680	8 048 117	7 132 563	53.0	47.0
1995	17 284 157	9 094 489	8 189 668	52.6	47.4
1996	17 580 416	9 219 358	8 361 058	52.4	47.6
1997	18 031 673	9 364 899	8 666 774	51.9	48.1
1998	18 360 642	9 576 942	8 783 700	52.2	47.8
1999	17 621 731	9 065 019	8 556 712	51.4	48.6
2000	17 667 985	9 032 698	8 635 287	51.1	48.9
2001	17 659 220	8 989 795	8 669 425	51.0	49.0
2002	17 561 828	8 841 648	8 720 180	50.3	49.7
2003	18 431 320	9 358 757	9 072 563	50.8	49.2
2004	17 953 300	9 046 433	8 906 867	50.4	49.6
2005	16 225 658	8 091 221	8 134 437	49.87	50.13

Source: http://mopme.gov.bd/students_info.htm (Ministry of Primary and Mass Education).

Annex 27

Different types of primary level institutions

Year	Institution
GPS	EXP	RNGPS	COMM	SATT*	HSAPS	NGPS	KG	Eb. Mad- rasha	HMAPS	NGO	Total
1996	37 710	52	19 683	2 759	200	2 759	3 963	1 434	9 499	2 759	-	80 818
1997	37 710	52	19 529	1 962	1 042	1 292	3 472	1 545	8 231	2 850	-	77 685
1998	37 710	53	19 658	2 989	2 822	1 582	3 177	1 691	7 173	2 948	-	79 803
1999	37 709	53	19 553	3 107	2 945	1 230	2 632	1 940	6 404	3 253	14	78 840
2000	37 677	53	19 253	3 061	3 884	1 220	2 126	2 296	3 710	3 437	92	76 809
2001	37 671	53	19 428	3 268	4 095	1 576	1 971	2 477	3 843	3 574	170	78 126
2002	37 671	53	19 428	3 225	4 823	1 576	1 792	2 477	3 443	3 574	301	78 363
2003	37 671	53	19 428	3 260	4 823	1 618	1 670	3 088	6 581	8 200	345	86 737
2004	37 671	54	19 814	3 218	-	1 283	1 699	3 745	6 723	8 214	447	82 868
2005	37 672	54	19 682	3 027	-	1 353	946	2 281	6 768*	8 329	289	80 401

Source: Website, Ministry of Education.

GPS - Government Primary School, RNGPS - Registered Non Government Primary School, NGPS - Non Government Primary School,

EXP - PTI attached Experimental School, KG - Kinder Garden, HSAPS - High School Attached Primary Schools,

HMAPS - High Madrasa Attached Primary School, * SATT - Satellite Schools which are closed from 2004.

Annex 28

Primary Secondary Education Statistics 2005

Type of institution	Management	Institution	Teachers	Student
Total	Female	Total	Female	Total	Female
Junior school	Private	4 322	1 247	36 070	7 299	910 914	531 164
Secondary school	Public	317	147	7 434	2 333	221 887	106 316
	Private	13 224	2 191	178 269	13 652	5 900 743	3 031 619
School & college (school section)	Private	638	124	11 156	3 699	365 008	198 915
Total (secondary education)	Public	317	147	7 434	2 333	221 887	106 316
Private	18 183	3 561	225 495	44 650	7 176 665	3 761 698
Total	18 500	3 708	232 929	46 983	7 398 552	3 868 014
Dakhil Madrasah	Private	6 685	1 017	98 123	9 908	2 236 025	1 170 220
Alim Madrasah	Private	1 315	91	25 634	1 803	550 813	253 207
Fazil Madrasah	Private	1 039	24	23 336	1 324	529 952	197 316
Kamil Madrasah	Public	3	-	82	2	2 738	19
Private	172	6	4 792	175	13 693	27 903
Total Madrasah education	Public	3	-	82	2	2 738	19
Private	9 211	1 138	151 885	13 228	3 450 483	1 648 646
Total	9 215	1 138	151 967	13 230	3 453 221	1 648 665
Polytechnic institute	Public	37	4	1 189	166	17 836	1 648
Private	97	-	465		9 682	1 278
Technical school & college	Public	64	-	792	75	8 548	1 224
Textile vocational centre	Public	28	-	331	26	5 097	584
Technical training centre	Public	13	-	359	69	4 867	473
Survey institute	Public	2	-	17	1	557	11
SSC (vocational school)	Private	1 224	171	7 511	1 869	95 458	30 380
Agricultural training institute	Public	12	-	112	5	7 103	1 403
Total (technical- vocation) education	Public	180	4	2 939	346	48 976	6 165
Private	2 548	263	15 246	2 862	192 360	56 397
Total	2 728	267	18 185	3 208	241 336	62 562
Private	162	8	2 529	291	42 517	12 525
Total	222	47	4 158	735	60 043	21 043
Primary training institute	Public	54	-	517	179	13 025	5 176
Teachers training college (TTC)	Public	14	1	247	74	6 518	2 885
Private	85	-	988	220	11 638	4 352
Technical TTC	Public	1	-	15	2	72	22

Note: * 23 new polytechnic institutes established (3 female), yet to be functioning.

** Vocational Training Institutes (VTI) renamed as Technical School & College.

Annex 29

Birth registration, MICS 2006

Percent distribution of children aged 0-59 months by whether birth is registered and reasons for non-registration, Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	Birth is registered	Don’t know if birth is registered	Number of children aged 0-59 months	Birth is not registered because:	Total	Number of children aged 0-59 months without birth registration
Costs too much	Must travel too far	Didn’t know child should be registered	Doesn’t know where to register	Don’t feel it necessary
Sex	Male	10.1	6.2	16 222	0.4	0.8	51.0	30.5	17.4	100.0	10 283
Female	9.6	6.1	15 344	0.4	0.7	52.7	29.9	16.4	100.0	9 852
Division	Barisal	16.4	7.6	1 873	0.4	1.5	46.1	29.6	22.4	100.0	1 118
Chittagong	6.3	7.8	6 797	0.3	0.8	45.4	36.1	17.4	100.0	4 888
Dhaka	6.5	4.9	9 942	0.2	0.4	54.6	29.0	15.7	100.0	6 691
Khulna	11.1	1.8	3 148	0.2	0.3	55.9	31.6	12.0	100.0	2 408
Rajshahi	12.0	9.3	7 284	0.7	0.9	54.2	24.9	19.2	100.0	3 693
Sylhet	20.2	2.4	2 521	0.4	1.2	52.8	26.8	18.7	100.0	1 336
Area	Rural	8.8	6.6	23 034	0.4	0.8	53.6	31.6	13.5	100.0	14 642
Urban	12.8	4.9	8 280	0.3	0.4	46.7	26.4	26.2	100.0	5 348
Urban municipality	12.4	5.0	6 061	0.3	0.6	47.4	26.8	24.9	100.0	3 861
City corporations	13.9	4.7	2 219	0.4	0.1	44.8	25.4	29.4	100.0	1 487
Non-slum	14.9	4.6	2 009	0.4	0.1	42.6	25.2	31.7	100.0	1 353
Slum	4.5	5.9	210	0.1	0.0	66.9	27.0	6.0	100.0	134
Tribal	5.0	9.3	253	0.0	0.3	61.2	25.7	12.8	100.0	145
Age	0-11 months	7.3	6.2	5 669	0.4	1.0	50.4	30.3	18.0	100.0	3 621
12-23 months	10.6	5.5	6 032	0.4	0.7	51.9	30.0	17.0	100.0	3 919
24-35 months	10.2	6.2	6 320	0.5	0.6	52.1	29.6	17.3	100.0	4 016
36-47 months	10.3	6.4	6 789	0.2	0.8	52.1	31.3	15.6	100.0	4 292
48-59 months	10.5	6.5	6 751	0.4	0.7	52.6	29.5	16.8	100.0	4 284
Mother’s education	None	5.6	7.8	11 224	0.4	0.5	57.5	33.8	7.9	100.0	6 996
Primary incomplete	7.6	6.5	4 997	0.6	0.4	56.9	30.7	11.3	100.0	3 209
Primary completed	9.6	5.8	4 084	0.2	1.0	53.8	31.1	14.0	100.0	2 641
Secondary incomplete	11.8	5.0	7 948	0.4	0.8	48.3	28.2	22.3	100.0	5 298
Secondary completed or higher	23.9	3.3	3 204	0.1	1.5	30.1	20.3	48.1	100.0	1  933
Non-standard curriculum	1.7	9.4	106	0.9	0.0	47.0	36.4	15.7	100.0	57
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	6.1	8.0	7 987	0.5	0.5	58.3	31.7	9.0	100.0	4 863
Second	6.8	7.4	6 615	0.2	0.8	55.8	31.5	11.6	100.0	4 191
Middle	8.8	5.8	5 918	0.5	0.7	54.2	31.9	12.7	100.0	3 835
Fourth	11.7	4.4	5 854	0.4	0.8	48.1	31.3	19.3	100.0	3 902
Richest	18.6	4.2	5 192	0.2	0.8	39.0	23.0	37.1	100.0	3 345
National		9.8	6.2	31 566	0.4	0.7	51.8	30.2	16.9	100.0	20 135

Annex 30

Child Labour, MICS 2006

Percentage of children aged 5-14 years who are involved in child labour activities by type of work, Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	Working outside household	Household chores for 28+ hours/week	Working for family business	Total child labour	Number of children aged 5-14 years
Paid work	Unpaid work
Sex	Male	3.7	1.1	0.9	12.4	17.5	36 652
	Female	1.2	0.8	3.8	2.5	8.1	35 489
Division	Barisal	1.7	0.3	3.0	5.6	10.0	4 946
	Chittagong	1.5	0.7	2.0	4.9	8.8	15 359
	Dhaka	3.2	1.1	2.5	7.7	13.9	22 494
	Khulna	2.1	1.2	1.5	7.7	12.1	7 365
	Rajshahi	2.9	1.4	2.5	10.7	16.6	16 625
	Sylhet	2.2	0.5	2.5	6.5	11.6	5 353
Area	Rural	2.1	1.0	2.1	8.7	13.4	52 010
	Urban	3.3	1.0	2.9	4.4	11.2	19 479
	Urban municipality	2.5	1.0	2.7	5.1	10.8	14 164
	City corporations	5.6	1.0	3.5	2.6	12.4	5 316
	Non-slum	5.1	0.8	3.6	2.4	11.7	4 811
	Slum	10.4	2.2	2.7	4.3	19.1	505
	Tribal	2.9	0.7	2.2	12.9	17.6	652
Age	5-11 years	1.1	1.1	1.0	7.6	10.3	51 295
	12-14 years	5.7	0.8	5.6	7.4	19.0	20 846
School participation	Yes	0.5	0.8	1.1	7.1	9.2	55 506
No	9.1	1.6	6.4	9.1	25.1	16 636
Mother’s education	None	3.8	1.1	2.5	9.5	16.3	36 345
Primary incomplete	2.0	1.2	1.5	7.7	12.0	11 173
Primary completed	0.9	0.9	1.7	6.3	9.5	8 448
Secondary incomplete	0.4	0.7	1.5	4.4	6.8	10 755
Secondary completed or higher	0.4	0.3	5.7	2.2	8.2	5 117
Non-standard curriculum	2.7	4.2	2.4	10.6	18.9	266
Missing/DK	0	0	4.0	2.3	6.2	37
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	3.4	1.4	2.2	9.8	16.0	17 185
Second	2.8	1.0	2.4	8.9	14.7	15 556
Middle	2.4	1.1	1.9	8.1	13.0	14 410
Fourth	1.9	0.9	1.6	6.6	10.5	12 930
Richest	1.3	0.5	3.7	2.9	8.2	12 061
National	2.5	1.0	2.3	7.5	12.8	72 141

Annex 31

Labourers students and student labourers

Background characteristics	Percent-age of children in child labour	Percent- age of children attending school	Number of children aged 5 ‑14	Percent - age of child labourers who are also attending school	Number of child labourers aged 5-14	Percent- age of students who are also involved in child labour	Number of students aged 5-14
Sex	Male	17.5	74.5	36 652	55.9	6 397	13.1	27 309
Female	8.1	79.5	35 489	52.6	2 860	5.3	28 197
Division	Barisal	10.0	79.7	4 946	55.5	496	7.0	3 944
Chittagong	8.8	77.6	15 359	50.2	1 355	5.7	11 923
Dhaka	13.9	74.9	22 494	52.4	3 135	9.7	16 855
Khulna	12.1	82.5	7 365	63.3	891	9.3	6 079
Rajshahi	16.6	77.4	16 625	59.9	2 760	12.8	12 872
Sylhet	11.6	71.6	5 353	43.2	620	7.0	3 832
Area	Rural	13.4	76.8	52 010	60.0	6 952	10.4	39 953
Urban	11.2	77.3	19 479	38.1	2 190	5.5	15 064
Urban municipality	10.8	78.6	14 164	43.3	1 530	6.0	11 133
City Corporations	12.4	73.9	5 316	26.0	660	4.4	3 930
Non-slum	11.7	76.2	4 811	26.1	564	4.0	3 664
Slum	19.1	52.8	505	25.3	96	9.1	267
Tribal	17.6	75.0	652	65.5	115	15.4	489
Age	5-11 years	10.3	79.3	51 295	74.6	5 303	9.7	40 700
12-14 years	19.0	71.0	20 846	28.5	3 954	7.6	14 806
Mother’s education	None	16.3	70.3	36 345	50.0	5 913	11.6	25 546
Primary incomplete	12.0	80.3	11 173	65.8	1 344	9.9	8 969
Primary completed	9.5	83.5	8 448	70.7	799	8.0	7 053
Secondary incomplete	6.8	86.8	10 755	73.6	729	5.7	9 336
Secondary completed or higher	8.2	85.2	5 117	27.1	420	2.6	4 362
Non-standard curriculum	18.9	79.8	266	55.9	50	13.3	212
Missing/DK	6.2	73.0	37	61.7	2	5.3	27
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	16.0	68.4	17 185	52.9	2 742	12.4	11 747
Second	14.7	74.5	15 556	58.6	2 285	11.6	11 589
Middle	13.0	78.2	14 410	59.9	1 880	10.0	11 275
Fourth	10.5	82.6	12 930	60.8	1 363	7.8	10 674
Richest	8.2	84.7	12 061	34.4	986	3.3	10 221
National	12.8	76.9	72 141	54.9	9 257	9.2	55 506

Annex 32

Early marriage, MICS 2006

Background characteristics	Percentage married before age 15	Number of women aged 15‑49 years	Percentage married before age 18	Number of women aged 20‑49 years	Percentage of women 15-19 years married	Number of women aged 15‑19 years
Division	Barisal	36.7	4 172	79.5	3 305	46.9	867
Chittagong	21.9	13 372	66.5	10 141	30.8	3 231
Dhaka	32.9	22 404	72.1	17 652	40.9	4 752
Khulna	39.3	8 124	80.5	6 501	47.0	1 623
Rajshahi	41.8	17 394	81.4	13 665	53.9	3 729
Sylhet	19.1	4 393	57.6	3 311	25.6	1 083
Area	Rural	36.2	47 449	78.4	37 030	46.1	10 419
Urban	27.0	21 807	65.2	17 062	33.0	4 745
Urban municipality	28.3	15 267	68.2	11 962	34.0	3 305
City corporations	23.7	6 540	58.1	5 100	30.7	1 440
Non-slum	22.5	6 067	56.5	4 724	29.5	1 343
Slum	39.8	473	78.6	376	46.8	97
Tribal	13.2	604	43.8	484	26.7	120
Age	15-19 years	16.5	15 284		0	41.9	15 284
20-24 years	27.7	12 630	64.1	12 630		0
25-29 years	33.1	11 151	70.2	11 151		0
30-34 years	37.5	9 376	76.1	9 376		0
35-39 years	40.0	8 853	77.7	8 853		0
40-44 years	45.4	6 627	80.5	6 627		0
45-49 years	56.6	5 939	85.7	5 939		0
Education	None	50.2	23 812	85.8	22 393	60.9	1 419
Primary incomplete	43.3	9 669	84.3	7 898	52.6	1 772
Primary completed	35.5	8 286	79.1	6 288	54.1	1 997
Secondary incomplete	18.5	18 917	67.1	10 896	38.8	8 021
Secondary completed or higher	5.1	8 923	29.5	6 900	19.3	2 023
Non-standard curriculum	43.7	247	87.2	197	35.0	50
Missing/DK	15.0	6	81.9	4	0	2
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	44.7	12 818	85.0	10 592	52.0	2 226
Second	39.8	13 359	82.0	10 377	49.8	2 982
Middle	35.3	13 821	78.3	10 495	45.1	3 326
Fourth	28.8	14 241	71.5	10 858	39.0	3 383
Richest	19.9	15 622	56.1	12 254	27.9	3 367
National	33.1	69 860	74.0	54 576	41.9	15 284

Annex 33

Child disability, MICS 2006

Percentage of children 2-9 years of age with disability reported by their mother or caretaker according to the type of disability, Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	Percentage of children aged 2-9 years with reported disability by type of disability	Number of children aged 2 ‑9 years	Speech is not normal	Number of children aged 3 ‑9 years	Cannot name at least one object	Number of children aged 2 years
Delay in sitting standing or walking	Difficulty seeing, either in the daytime or at night	Appears to have difficulty hearing	No understanding of instructions	Difficulty in walking moving, moving arms, weakness or stiffness	Have fits, become rigid, lose conciousness	Not learning to do things like other children his/her age	No speaking cannot be understood in words	Appears mentally backward, dull, or slow	Percentage of children 2-9 years of age with at least one reported disability*
Division	Barisal	6.0	1.4	1.8	2.2	4.8	4.4	3.0	2.6	3.0	17.6	3 689	7.9	3 308	15.3	381
Chittagong	4.7	.7	1.4	1.7	2.3	4.5	1.8	1.9	1.6	14.0	12 403	3.8	10 943	15.2	1 459
Dhaka	7.8	.7	2.3	1.9	2.4	5.1	1.6	1.8	1.4	18.0	18 542	3.5	16 236	15.4	2 305
Khulna	8.2	.8	1.9	1.4	2.1	6.0	1.1	1.5	1.0	17.5	5 968	1.9	5 243	8.6	725
Rajshahi	8.5	.9	2.6	1.8	3.4	6.0	2.0	2.2	1.9	20.4	13 513	5.0	11 848	16.1	1 665
Sylhet	8.0	1.4	2.2	1.7	2.9	1.9	1.4	1.3	1.2	15.6	4 477	2.1	3 953	15.8	525
Area	Rural	7.4	.9	2.2	1.8	2.9	4.8	1.8	2.0	1.6	17.7	42 658	4.0	37 555	15.1	5 103
Urban	6.9	.8	1.7	1.6	2.4	5.5	1.4	1.7	1.5	17.1	15 419	3.7	13 521	14.2	1 898
Urban municipality	7.2	.8	2.0	1.5	2.9	5.8	1.7	1.7	1.6	17.8	11 236	3.6	9 872	13.7	1 364
City c orporations	6.1	.6	1.1	1.8	1.1	4.7	.9	1.6	1.0	15.0	4 183	4.0	3 649	15.3	533
Non-slum	6.0	.6	1.0	1.9	1.1	4.9	.8	1.6	1.0	15.1	3 771	4.1	3 289	15.3	482
Slum	7.5	1.0	1.2	1.4	1.4	2.7	1.2	1.4	1.0	14.0	411	2.7	360	15.6	51
Tribal	4.8	.9	1.9	2.0	2.1	1.8	1.6	1.4	1.6	12.5	515	5.7	455	14.3	60
Age of child	2-4 months	8.4	.7	1.1	1.8	2.6	6.0	2.1	2.4	1.6	18.7	21 666	4.8	14 606	14.9	7 061
5-6 months	7.3	.9	2.4	1.7	2.6	4.9	1.6	1.7	1.7	17.5	14 097	3.5	14 097	-	0
7-9 months	6.2	1.1	2.9	1.8	2.9	4.1	1.5	1.5	1.6	16.3	22 828	3.6	22 828	-	0
Mother’s education	None	7.7	1.1	2.6	2.0	2.9	4.6	2.0	2.1	1.9	18.1	25 476	4.1	23 040	15.9	2 436
Primary incomplete	7.8	1.0	2.5	1.7	3.3	5.1	1.9	2.0	1.7	18.8	9 270	4.1	8 171	13.8	1 099
Primary completed	7.2	.6	1.8	1.3	2.7	4.6	1.5	1.6	1.5	16.7	7 288	3.5	6 389	15.5	899
Secondary incomplete	6.7	.5	1.4	1.6	2.3	5.8	1.5	1.9	1.2	16.7	11 227	3.6	9 423	13.7	1 804
Secondary completed or higher	5.3	.6	.8	1.6	1.8	5.2	1.3	1.4	1.0	14.2	5 072	4.0	4 277	15.2	796
Non-standard curriculum	12.5	3.6	4.6	.8	7.0	7.3	.4	.5	2.4	26.1	224	5.9	200	4.3	24
Missing/DK	7.4	3.4	3.4	.0	8.3	3.4	.0	.0	3.4	15.7	35	4.6	32	.0	3
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	8.3	1.3	3.0	2.2	3.2	4.6	2.3	2.2	1.8	19.1	15 063	4.3	13 345	15.2	1 718
Second	7.8	.9	2.5	1.8	3.2	5.1	2.0	2.0	2.0	18.3	12 422	4.3	10 953	13.9	1 469
Middle	7.6	.7	1.9	1.6	2.8	5.1	1.5	2.1	1.6	18.0	11 346	3.8	9 998	14.4	1 348
Fourth	6.3	.6	1.6	1.5	2.1	5.2	1.2	1.6	1.0	15.5	10 406	3.5	9 077	14.9	1 328
Richest	5.7	.6	1.1	1.6	2.0	5.1	1.4	1.4	1.4	15.1	9 355	3.5	8 157	16.1	1 198
National		7.3	.9	2.1	1.8	2.8	5.0	1.7	1.9	1.6	17.5	58 592	3.9	51 531	14.9	7 061

Annex 34

Percentage of children by type of Injury

(under 18 years of age) and current condition, Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	Type of injury under 18 years of age	Current condition after injury	Number of households
Total Injured	Fallen	Burn	Poisoning	Animal/ snake/insect	Road accident	Drowning	Acid victim	Other	Recovered	Still suffering	Died
Division	Barisal	8.4	3.1	.6	.0	.4	1.5	1.4	.0	1.8	7.1	1.2	.1	3 909
Chittagong	6.4	2.6	.6	.0	.1	1.3	.7	.0	1.5	5.1	1.3	.1	11 015
Dhaka	6.6	2.4	.6	.0	.2	1.1	.7	.0	1.7	5.7	.9	.1	20 219
Khulna	6.8	2.2	.6	.1	.4	1.3	1.0	.0	1.7	5.7	1.0	.1	7 465
Rajshahi	6.2	2.1	.6	.0	.3	1.0	.6	.0	1.8	5.1	1.1	.1	16 432
Sylhet	5.5	1.8	.5	.0	.2	.8	.5	.0	1.7	4.2	1.2	.1	3 423
Area	Rural	6.6	2.5	.6	.0	.3	1.0	.8	.0	1.6	5.4	1.2	.1	43 735
Urban	6.4	2.0	.6	.0	.2	1.4	.5	.0	1.9	5.5	.9	.1	18 138
Urban municipality	6.7	2.1	.6	.0	.2	1.5	.6	.0	2.0	5.8	.8	.1	12 925
City c orporations	5.6	1.7	.5	.0	.1	1.3	.2	.0	1.9	4.8	.9	.0	5 213
Non-slum	5.3	1.7	.5	.0	.1	1.2	.2	.0	1.8	4.6	.8	.0	4 793
Slum	9.1	2.4	.8	.0	.0	2.4	.5	.0	2.9	7.1	2.0	.1	420
Tribal	3.7	1.7	.3	.0	.3	.5	.4	.0	.6	3.0	.7	.1	590
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	6.8	2.5	.8	.0	.3	.9	1.1	.0	1.5	5.6	1.2	.1	13 530
Second	6.8	2.5	.7	.0	.3	1.1	.9	.0	1.7	5.5	1.3	.1	13 019
Middle	6.8	2.4	.6	.0	.2	1.4	.8	.0	1.7	5.6	1.2	.1	12 397
Fourth	7.0	2.4	.6	.0	.3	1.3	.6	.0	2.1	5.9	1.0	.1	11 572
Richest	5.1	1.8	.4	.0	.2	1.1	.2	.0	1.7	4.4	.7	.0	11 946
National		6.5	2.3	.6	.0	.2	1.1	.7	.0	1.7	5.4	1.1	.1	62 463

Annex 35

Knowledge of preventing HIV transmission

Percentage of women aged 15-49 years who know the main ways of preventing HIV transmission, Bangladesh, 2006h

Background characteristics	Heard of AIDS	Percentage who know transmission can be prevented by:	Knows both ways	Knows at least one way	Doesn’t know any way	Number of women
Having only one faithful uninfected sex partner	Using a condom every time
Division	Barisal	63.3	47.0	38.8	33.9	51.9	48.1	4 172
Chittagong	64.8	51.0	43.0	37.8	56.2	43.8	13 372
Dhaka	72.7	56.5	47.8	42.5	61.9	38.1	22 404
Khulna	75.0	61.3	50.8	46.0	66.1	33.9	8 124
Rajshahi	54.3	37.9	36.8	29.9	44.8	55.2	17 394
Sylhet	53.7	39.4	29.7	25.5	43.6	56.4	4 393
Area	Rural	57.2	41.8	34.9	29.6	47.1	52.9	47 449
Urban	83.2	67.8	60.5	54.4	73.9	26.1	21 807
Urban municipality	79.8	64.0	56.9	50.8	70.1	29.9	15 267
City corporations	91.0	76.4	68.9	62.6	82.6	17.4	6 540
Non-slum	92.2	78.1	70.6	64.6	84.1	15.9	6 067
Slum	75.9	55.1	46.4	37.5	64.0	36.0	473
Tribal	35.3	26.6	22.3	19.6	29.3	70.7	604
Age	15-19 years	78.1	61.6	51.3	45.1	67.8	32.2	15 284
20-24 years	73.6	58.2	52.2	45.5	64.9	35.1	12 630
25-29 years	66.8	51.6	46.1	40.3	57.5	42.5	11 151
30-34 years	60.1	44.9	39.2	34.0	50.1	49.9	9 376
35-39 years	57.0	41.9	35.9	30.6	47.2	52.8	8 853
40-44 years	51.2	37.3	30.8	26.8	41.2	58.8	6 627
45-49 years	45.9	30.9	24.4	20.6	34.7	65.3	5 939
Education	None	36.6	23.5	17.9	14.5	26.9	73.1	23 812
Primary incomplete	56.2	38.9	30.6	25.6	43.9	56.1	9 669
Primary completed	70.2	49.5	41.7	34.4	56.8	43.2	8 286
Secondary incomplete	87.7	70.5	61.1	53.8	77.9	22.1	18 917
Secondary completed or higher	98.9	88.6	85.3	78.9	95.0	5.0	8 923
Non-standard curriculum	38.0	19.5	19.7	11.8	27.3	72.7	247
Missing/DK	85.0	85.0	.0	.0	85.0	15.0	6
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	34.8	21.8	17.8	14.1	25.6	74.4	12 818
Second	47.3	32.1	26.1	21.4	36.8	63.2	13 359
Middle	63.5	46.4	38.1	32.4	52.1	47.9	13 821
Fourth	80.8	63.2	54.0	46.9	70.3	29.7	14 241
Richest	92.3	78.5	71.6	65.5	84.6	15.4	15 622
National		65.1	49.8	42.8	37.3	55.3	44.7	69 860

Annex 36

Children’s living arrangements and orphanhood, MICS 2006

Background characteristics	Living with both parents	Living with neither parent	Living with mother only	Living with father only	Total	Not living with a biological parent*	One or both parents dead **	Number of children
Only father alive	Only mother alive	Both are alive	Both are dead	Father alive	Father dead	Mother alive	Mother dead	Impossible to determine
Sex	Male	86.2	.2	.3	2.0	.4	5.5	3.6	.3	1.1	.4	100.0	2.9	5.6	64 406
Female	81.2	.5	.7	6.4	.6	5.4	3.5	.2	.8	.7	100.0	8.3	6.1	63 104
Division	Barisal	84.6	.3	.5	4.0	.6	5.0	2.9	.3	1.0	.8	100.0	5.4	5.3	8 290
Chittagong	78.7	.3	.4	3.0	.5	10.9	4.7	.2	.8	.5	100.0	4.2	6.7	27 267
Dhaka	84.1	.4	.6	4.6	.4	4.9	3.2	.3	.9	.6	100.0	5.9	5.5	39 653
Khulna	87.0	.3	.5	4.8	.2	3.4	2.3	.3	.8	.4	100.0	5.8	4.2	13 056
Rajshahi	86.9	.3	.6	5.1	.7	2.1	2.7	.2	.9	.6	100.0	6.7	5.2	29 669
Sylhet	81.7	.3	.5	2.4	.8	6.0	5.9	.2	1.8	.3	100.0	4.1	9.4	9 575
Area	Rural	84.3	.3	.5	3.9	.5	5.5	3.4	.2	1.0	.5	100.0	5.1	5.6	91 877
Urban	82.1	.5	.6	5.1	.5	5.4	3.8	.2	1.0	.6	100.0	6.8	6.4	34 539
Urban municipality	83.0	.4	.5	4.8	.5	5.4	3.6	.2	1.0	.6	100.0	6.3	6.1	25 062
City c orporations	80.0	.7	.9	6.0	.6	5.5	4.2	.3	1.0	.8	100.0	8.2	7.4	9 478
Non-slum	79.7	.7	.9	6.2	.6	5.5	4.2	.3	1.0	.9	100.0	8.4	7.5	8 605
Slum	82.5	.4	.8	4.1	.5	5.8	4.1	.6	.7	.4	100.0	5.9	6.6	873
Tribal	88.6	.3	.5	3.2	.6	2.0	3.2	.5	.8	.4	100.0	4.6	5.4	1 093
Age	0-4 years	90.9	.1	.0	.7	.2	6.6	.9	.1	.2	.3	100.0	1.0	1.5	34 908
5-9 years	87.9	.2	.3	1.9	.2	5.9	2.4	.3	.8	.1	100.0	2.6	3.9	36 925
10-14 years	82.9	.5	.5	3.9	.4	4.9	5.0	.3	1.4	.2	100.0	5.3	7.8	35 216
15-17 years	65.5	.7	1.7	14.8	1.8	3.6	7.4	.3	1.8	2.4	100.0	19.1	13.4	20 460
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	87.9	.2	.4	2.7	.4	2.8	3.8	.3	1.0	.4	100.0	3.7	5.8	28 986
Second	85.5	.4	.4	3.7	.5	3.7	3.9	.4	1.0	.6	100.0	5.0	6.2	27 078
Middle	83.6	.2	.5	4.2	.6	5.2	3.8	.2	1.1	.7	100.0	5.5	6.2	25 595
Fourth	81.1	.3	.4	4.1	.5	8.8	2.9	.1	1.0	.7	100.0	5.4	5.1	23 921
Richest	79.0	.6	.9	6.8	.6	7.7	2.9	.2	.7	.6	100.0	8.9	5.7	21 929
National		83.7	.3	.5	4.2	.5	5.4	3.5	.2	1.0	.6	100.0	5.5	5.8	127 509

Annex 37

School attendance of orphaned children

School attendance of children aged 10-14 years by orphanhood status, Bangladesh, 2006

Background characteristics	Percent of children whose mother or father have died	School attendance rate of children whose mother and father have died	Percentage of children whose mother and father have died and who are attending school	School attendance rate of children whose mother or father have died	Number of children whose mother or father have died and who are attending school	Percent of children of whom both parents are alive and child is living with at least one parent	School attendance rate of children of whom both parents are alive and child is living with at least one parent	Number of children of whom both parents are alive and child is living with at least one parent and who are attending school	Double orphans to non ‑ orphans school attendance ratio*	Total number of children aged 10-14 years
Sex	Male	.4	68.8	51.0	61.2	837.1	89.2	75.9	12 161.6	.91	17 955
Female	.4	66.6	43.2	66.1	911.9	86.9	85.5	12 819.0	.78	17 261
Division	Barisal	.3	45.8	1.1	66.6	8.4	86.9	82.4	141.0	.54	2 514
Chittagong	.4	64.4	1.0	62.4	18.3	86.2	82.4	217.1	.81	7 586
Dhaka	.3	59.3	1.2	63.5	13.7	88.6	79.5	204.9	.79	10 872
Khulna	.3	75.0	.8	70.5	6.7	89.9	86.2	132.6	.87	3 602
Rajshahi	.4	71.8	1.6	63.4	9.8	87.7	81.3	171.0	.88	8 108
Sylhet	1.2	63.5	1.9	61.3	22.3	81.2	76.3	171.4	.84	2 535
Area	Rural	.4	68.0	1.6	65.7	19.1	89.7	80.6	281.4	.86	25 125
Urban	.4	58.6	.9	63.0	7.1	85.5	82.3	93.9	.74	9 783
Urban municipality	.4	57.5	.8	64.5	6.0	85.7	83.2	77.3	.70	7 057
City c orporations	.5	61.6	1.4	50.5	15.9	84.5	75.3	226.7	.86	2 727
Non-slum	.4	62.9	1.8	53.6	19.8	83.2	82.4	283.2	.75	2 480
Slum	.8	58.3	.3	41.1	4.1	88.2	54.1	57.2	1.12	247
Tribal	1.0	49.4	.6	73.4	5.0	87.7	81.0	70.3	.63	307
Wealth index quintiles	Poorest	.3	50.0	10.1	55.9	343.4	90.0	69.6	47 52.9	.72	7 582
Second	.4	74.3	20.4	58.4	364.5	89.5	76.6	52 07.9	.97	7 596
Middle	.5	66.0	21.8	68.7	401.0	89.0	81.0	51 85.8	.81	7 193
Fourth	.5	77.3	26.5	73.5	330.3	89.2	86.6	50 91.1	.89	6 588
Richest	.4	64.0	15.3	65.3	309.9	81.7	92.8	47 42.9	.69	6 257
Number of children 10 ‑ 14 years of age		.4	67.7	94.2	63.7	1 749.0	88.1	80.5	24 980.6	.84	35 216

Annex 38

Anti-Trafficking Measures, Specially Trafficking in Women and Children

(From 15 June 2004 to 31 March 2007)

Sl.	Subject	Indicators	Data
01	Monitoring of selected cases relating to trafficking in women and children:	1.Total selected cases2.Total disposed of cases3.Total cases ended in conviction 4.Total accused convicted: a.Death sentence b.Life imprisonmentc.Other terms5.Total cases ended in acquittal6.Total persons acquitted	1461427512803953067251
02	Monitoring of new cases (Since 15 June 2004)	1.Total cases instituted2.Total accused involved3.Total traffickers arrested4.Charge sheet5.Final report6.Total cases relating to complicity of officials7.Total officials involved	3941 301428279800315
03	Total cases disposed of	1.Total cases disposed of under monitoring2.Total cases disposed of out of monitoring3.Total cases ended in conviction 4.Total cases ended in acquittal5.Total persons convicted	17597272108164
	04	Persons rescued	1.Persons rescued by police2.Persons rescued by BDR3.Persons rescued by RAB4.Self5.Total	3259825111
	559
05	Rehabilitation of trafficked persons	1.Parents2.NGOs Safe home3.Govt. Safe homeTotal-(women-265, male-25,children-269)	5400811559
06	Repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration of camel jockeys/trafficked persons	1.Total number of jockeys repatriated2.Total number of jockeys reintegrated3.No. of jockeys yet to be reintegrated	1691681
		I.Zia Airport, Dhaka:A1.Check-in counter2.Immigration3.Passport checking unit	353 14229
			3 206
07	Prevention at airport/land port	b.Chittagong Airport:c.Sylhet airport: (ii)Land port: a.Beanpole, Jessore:b.Hili, Dinajpur	881204825
		Total	3 487
As on 30-06-2004	As on 31-01-2006	As on 15-03-2007
	571	(i)Under trial494(ii)Under investigation21	(i)Under trial491(ii)Under investigation32
	Total515	Total523

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ICDDR’B, IMCI Multi Country Evaluation Study, 2001

ICCIDD/IPHN/BSCIC/UNICEF, National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Survey, Bangladesh, 1999

ICMH and UNICEF, Study on pattern and determinants of child mortality and morbidity due to injury in Bangladesh, 2003

ICMH/UNICEF, Base-line survey on key care practices for neonatal and child survival in 3 upazila, 2005

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Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and UNICEF, Early Marriage, Fundamental Child Rights Violation, September 2001

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Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Baseline Survey of Second Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-II), 2005

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,State of the World’s Newborn: Bangladesh, 2001

National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2000

National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey,2004

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