Conteporary Issues
...I think, there would be little disagreement, for example, that on the basis of equality of opportunity children have the right to life, to give education, to freedom from discrimination, the right to protection from sexual protection from sexual exploitation, from abduction and from violence and abuse. For this reason, at first we should know what is meant by equal opportunity and how to implement this term in various sectors.
According to Bruce and Meggit (1999), "Equality of opportunity means opening up access for every child and family to full participation in early childhood service." (Bruce, T., Meggit, C, 1999, p.1)
"Why did you come, O girl, When we wished for a boy? Take the jar and fill it from the sea.
May you fall into it and drown." (Bangladeshi ancient folk song)
From her first cry at birth, a girl child has to battle traditional preferences for boys. At the birth of a boy in Muslim household, the parents give azan- a call for prayers. This signifies a kind of joy and thankfulness to the Almighty. For the birth of a girl, no azan is called. And the traditional discrimination takes off from this very moment.
The UN Child Rights Convention (CRC) defines a child as "every person under the age of 18 years." On current figures, this group represents 45 percent of the population of Bangladesh or 56 million children. In accordance with the definition, all laws, policies and practices, which relate to children must apply to persons up to and including the age of 17 years. On the other hand, ILO defines child who has the age limit less than 15 years. In Bangladesh there is no single definition of a child for all purposes. The definition varies between different policies and laws. The National Children Policy of our country, for example, includes persons under the age of 14, and the majority of statues providing protection to children (in...
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