Blue Umbrella Day-April 16: Raising awareness of sexual violence affecting boys" observed on Saturday afternoon. Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, May 25, 2025 (BSS) - United efforts of all the government and non-government organizations concerned can be the best way of protecting boys from sexual abuse and exploitation.

There is also a need to expand services and assistance to protect boys from sexual violence. The community can play vital roles online and offline to attain the desired goal in this field. 

Government officials and development activists observed while addressing a community dialogue with service providers and stakeholders titled "Blue Umbrella Day-April 16: Raising awareness of sexual violence affecting boys" on Saturday afternoon. 

Blue Umbrella Day, observed annually on April 16th, is an international awareness day that focuses on the issue of sexual violence against boys. The blue umbrella symbolizes protection and safety, representing the need to create a secure environment for boys everywhere. 

The main theme for the day this year is "Empowering Voices to Prevent Violence Against Boys," which focuses on raising awareness and advocating for the protection of boys from sexual violence.
The capacity-building program is also focusing on preventing violence against boys.

Association for Community Development (ACD) hosted the meeting at Mohanpur Upazila Parishad Hall room in the district, supported by International Jote Family for Every Child to mark the day. 

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ayesha Siddika, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Zobaida Sultana, Youth Development Officer Sayeed Ali Reza and ACD Project Coordinator Subrata Kumar Paul addressed the meeting disseminating their expertise on the issue.

 The speakers unanimously viewed that the proactive role of the community can be an effective means of protecting the boys from sexual abuse, assault and all sorts of violence, as they are the future driving force of the country.

For the sake of their proper physical and mental development, all sorts of violence and repression against boys must be stopped with the integrated efforts of the government and non-government organisations concerned.

The society as a whole should come forward and work together to protect the boys from all sorts of repression and oppression because there is no way but to build them as worthy citizens through flourishing their latent talents, speakers said. 

The participants discussed the issue and put forward a set of recommendations on how to protect boys from sexual abuse.