RAJSHAHI, July 25, 2025 (BSS) - Children should be given ample opportunities to learn and grow to strengthen their mental and physical development, which is essential for building a healthy and prosperous nation.

Children are the future leaders, so special attention must be paid to protecting them from violence, repression, and sexual exploitation, which hinder their overall development.

Experts and child leaders made these remarks while addressing the closing ceremony of a five-day workshop on Participatory Analysis, Co-creation and Report Writing, held Thursday evening at the BRAC Learning Center conference hall.

The workshop was organized by the Association for Community Development (ACD) under the project titled "Children Know Better: Making Child Participation the Key to Improving Effectiveness of Action against Sexual Exploitation of Children."

The event underscored that children are not merely victims of sexual exploitation, but also vital partners in identifying solutions. Their active participation, insights, and experiences can help reinforce child protection mechanisms.

Around 40 participants, including 25 selected child leaders from Rajshahi City Corporation, Godagari and Mohanpur upazilas, and 10 peer educators, took part in the workshop, which was supported by ECPAT International.

The main objective was to build leadership skills among children and empower them to prevent sexual exploitation through participatory research and data analysis.

Sandrine Constant from ECPAT International and Jinia Afroze, Head of Programs at Terre des Hommes, conducted the training sessions as resource persons.

Among others, ACD Director (Program) Sharmin Subrina, Project Coordinator Ali Ahmed, Program Officer Atia Tansima, and Community Mobilizer Mantaka Akter were present on the occasion.