DHAKA: The draft National Child Policy-2010 has been unveiled with the maximum age of the child raised to 18 from the previously defined 14 years, restricting certain works up to the two stages of childhood.

As per the new policy, a child under 14 cannot be hired for any full-time job

And under-18s cannot be used in political activities, including rally and meeting.

Using children, particularly street children, was once a prevalent practice for enforcing hartal by political parties. They used to be known as ‘Tokai’s’ or street urchins.         

State Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs Dr Shirin Sarmin Chowdhury Wednesday presented the policy at a press conference at the secretariat.

Tarique-ul-Islam, acting secretary of the ministry, was present at the press meet.

The policy has been framed on the basis of five fundamentals: ensuring child rights as per the constitution and international charter, poverty eradication, eradication of child repression and discrimination, ensuring accountability in implementing child rights, and ensuring child participation in projects for them.

Government would take 12 specific programmes for ensuring safe childbirth, poverty alleviation, health, education and cultural activities, due protection for disabled children and special steps for tribal children, etc.

Explaining the policy, the state minister said, “The new policy was formulated updating the National Child Policy-1994.”

Recommendations and opinions can be incorporated in the policy on the website of the ministry till September 30.   

She also informed that the policy would be presented in the cabinet meeting in October.

Dr Shirin informed that the ministry started the work of formulating the policy on 17 September 2008.

She also told the journalists that 14 exchange-of-opinion meetings had been organized with the help of UNICEF in various parts of country in last two years in the process of updating the child policy.

BDST: 1520 HRS, SEPT 15, 2010