Coordinated Action Vital to Combat Child Marriage and Cyberbullying: Cox's Bazar Workshop

Stakeholders in Cox's Bazar gathered on Wednesday to discuss the effective implementation of legal frameworks to combat pressing social issues, including child marriage, child labor, cyberbullying and school dropouts.

Organized by World Vision Bangladesh under its Child Safety Net Project the "Legal Framework Support Analysis Workshop" was held at the Cox's Bazar Sadar Upazila Parishad conference room. The session aimed to bridge the gap between existing laws on paper and their practical application at the grassroots level.

The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including civil society experts, lawyers, media professionals, NGO representatives, local government officials and members of the Child and Youth Forum.

Louisa Mondal, Mobilization and System Strengthening Officer at World Vision moderated the session. She emphasized that eradicating child marriage requires a shift in social mindset alongside legal enforcement.

"The fight against child marriage is no longer just a legal issue; it requires a psychological shift in society," Mondal said. "Child marriage not only endangers the lives of girls but also imposes premature mental and economic stress on boys. The conscious participation of our youth is a powerful catalyst for this social change."

Prominent jurist Advocate Sakiya Kawsar Saki delivered a detailed analysis of the legal complexities surrounding child rights violations. Outlining specific legal remedies for child labor and cyberbullying, he stressed that a safe and non-discriminatory society relies heavily on the strict execution of existing laws and heightened community responsibility.

Representing law enforcement, Sub-Inspector (SI) Md. Yusuf of the Cox's Bazar Sadar Police Station reaffirmed the administration's zero-tolerance policy toward child marriage and cybercrime. However, he noted that police intervention relies on community vigilance making public awareness crucial for timely legal action.

In his closing remarks, World Vision Cox's Bazar Upazila Coordinator Jaganmoy Prajes Biswas reminded attendees that roundtable discussions must translate into fieldwork. He called for unified efforts among families, society, the administration and development partners, noting that isolated initiatives rarely yield lasting results.

The most poignant message of the day came from the members of the Child Forum, who appealed for a safer environment to grow. "We want to build a society where no child's dream or potential is sacrificed to early marriage," they stated, demanding that children's opinions be valued in community decision-making.

The workshop concluded with a consensus: while legal frameworks are essential, true child protection can only be achieved when responsible adults across all levels of society actively work to enforce them.