Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, Aug 7, 2025 (BSS) - Community support, besides integrated efforts of all the government and non-government organizations concerned can be the crucial means 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 a vital role both online and offline in achieving the desired goal in this field. 

Development activists and social watchdogs came up with the observation while addressing a stakeholder dialogue with service providers titled "Blue Umbrella Day- April 16: Raising awareness of sexual violence affecting boys" in the city today. 

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. 

Association for Community Development (ACD) hosted the meeting at Hotel Warisan in association with Family for Every Child to mark the day. 

With former Chairman of Rajshahi Education Board Prof Dipkendra Nath Das in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Divisional Director of Islamic Foundation Abdur Razzak, Deputy Director of Department of Youth Development ATM Golam Mahbub and Officer-in-Charge of Shahmakhdum Police Station Sabnam Mustari.

ACD Project Manager Monirul Islam welcomed the participants, while Project Coordinator Subrata Kumar Paul moderated the discussion.

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, the speakers said.

Besides, the proactive role of the teachers can be the best way of protecting the boys from sexual abuse, assault and exploitation, as they are the future driving force of the nation.

Divided into six groups, the participants discussed the issue and put forward a set of recommendations on how to protect boys from sexual abuse.