Legal assistance must be aade accessible to ensure child protection

Legal assistance must be made accessible, and children must have access to prompt and effective legal support to ensure their safety and protection. Speakers made this observation at a coordination meeting organized by Nari Maitree on 24 August 2026.

The meeting was organized under the `Strengthening Community and Institutional Response to child sexual Abuse And Exploitation’ Project, with the aim of strengthening child protection and ensuring accessible, timely, and effective legal assistance for children who experience violence, abuse, and exploitation. The meeting focused on making existing legal assistance mechanisms more accessible, child-friendly, and effective. Human rights activist and representative of the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association, Advocate Salma Ali, attended the meeting as the Chief Guest. Shaheen Akter Dolly, Executive Director of Nari Maitree, chaired the meeting.

The meeting highlighted that children and their families are often reluctant to report incidents of violence, abuse, or sexual harassment. Key reasons include insecurity, social pressure and fear, lack of knowledge about legal procedures, insufficient information about where and how to file complaints, and uncertainty surrounding lengthy legal processes. Many children and families are unaware of where to seek help, what types of legal assistance are available, and how a child’s safety can be ensured after a complaint is filed.

Adolescent and youth representatives participating in the meeting also shared their experiences and perspectives. They emphasized that, alongside ensuring legal assistance for children, it is crucial to raise awareness among children and their families. Information about reporting procedures, available services, access to legal assistance, and ways to communicate with relevant service providers should be provided to children and families in simple and accessible language.

In her remarks, Chief Guest Advocate Salma Ali said, “There is no alternative to awareness. Those of us working for children must be more responsible. Children need to know about their rights, and they and their families must be informed about where and how to seek assistance if they experience any form of violence.”

She also emphasized the need for greater coordination and collaboration among relevant government and non-government organizations, lawyers, service providers, and community-based organizations to ensure child protection and access to legal assistance.

In her speech, Shahin Akter Dolly said, “Let our commitment be to work together for children. Ensuring that laws and policies are in place is not enough to protect children’s safety and rights; these services must also be made accessible to children and their families. All relevant stakeholders must play a more active role in ensuring that children from marginalized and vulnerable communities can access legal assistance without discrimination or fear.”

The core objective of Nari Maitree’s initiative is to ensure that no child is deprived of justice after experiencing violence or abuse, and that families do not refrain from reporting incidents due to fear, uncertainty, or procedural complexities. The organization will continue to promote coordinated efforts among relevant stakeholders to establish a child-friendly justice and protection system that safeguards children’s safety, dignity, and rights.

Representatives from the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), lawyers from the District Legal Aid Committee, Supreme Court lawyers, representatives of One-Stop Crisis Services, and members of Nari Maitree’s adolescent and youth clubs were also present at the meeting. With the participation of lawyers, service providers, and child and youth representatives from different levels, the meeting provided an important platform for dialogue on the existing challenges children face in accessing legal assistance and possible solutions to address them. The meeting was moderated by Nari Maitree Program Manager Taslima Huda.