A national consultation meeting called for coordinated and sustainable government and non-government initiatives to ensure early childhood care and development (ECCD), prevent drowning deaths, and strengthen the role of the media in promoting child-friendly journalism. The meeting, titled “Child-Friendly Journalism in Nation Building,” was held on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, at the Panpacific Sonargaon in Dhaka.
The event was organised by Somosti, with support from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, and international development organisation Synergos. Speakers discussed key aspects of the Integrated Community-Based Center for Child Care, Protection and Swim-Safe Facilities (ICBC) project implemented by the Government of Bangladesh.
Citing the National Health and Injury Survey 2024, speakers noted that more than 51 people die from drowning every day in Bangladesh, over 75 percent of them children. Nearly 40 children lose their lives daily, making drowning one of the leading causes of death among children aged 1–4 years. Under the ICBC project, community-based childcare centres provide early childhood development support for children aged 1–5 years, while children aged 6–10 years receive life-saving swimming and safety training.
Launched in 2022 and completed in 2025, the project is now entering its second phase. Under this phase, 520,000 children in 14 additional districts will receive swimming training, and 320,000 children will receive early childhood development support.
The keynote discussion, themed “Building a Beautiful Future for Children Through Trust,” highlighted the importance of trust-based collaboration among the government, development partners, and the media to ensure child protection, development, and drowning prevention.
The meeting was chaired by Mosammat Arju Ara Begum, Director General, Bangladesh Shishu Academy. The Chief Guest was Momtaz Ahmed, NDC, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. Special Guests included Shabnam Mustari, Additional Secretary of the same ministry, and Dr Al Amin Sarkar, Director General of IMED.
The welcome address was delivered by Md. Abdul Kadir, Joint Secretary & Project Director, ICBC project. The keynote discussion was initiated by Esha Hosain, Country Head, Synergos Bangladesh, and moderated by Mir Masruruzzaman, Executive Director of Somosti.
Senior journalists attending the meeting included Sohrab Hasan, Editor, Charcha.com; Reaz Ahmed, Editor, Dhaka Tribune; Firoz Chowdhury, Assistant Editor, The Daily Prothom Alo; Zahirul Alam, Head of News, Channel 24; Zahid Newaz Khan, Chief Executive Editor, Channel I; Suchi Sayeed, Deputy Editor, Jugantor; Salma Yasmin, Senior News Editor, Bangla Vision; Kajol Ghosh, News Editor, Dainik Manabzamin; Rabeya Beby, Staff Reporter & Editor, Mohila Angoon, Daily Ittefaq; Shahnaz Sharmin, Special Correspondent, Ekattor TV; Saidur Rahman Rumi, Senior Reporter, Amar Desh; and others.
Civil society representatives included Mahmuda Akhtar, Vice Chair, Bangladesh ECD Network (BEN); Mohammad Rizwan Khan, PMP, Senior Programme Manager, Synergos Bangladesh; and Dr Al Amin, researcher at CIPRP.
In her address, Momtaz Ahmed, NDC emphasised the government’s efforts to expand ECCD and drowning prevention initiatives and stressed the need for extensive media coverage. Shabnam Mustari called for greater media attention to both successes and challenges of local-level child protection and swimming programmes. Dr Md. Al Amin Sarkar highlighted the importance of impact evaluations in scaling child-focused development projects.
Project Director Abdul Kader said the ICBC project focuses on sustainable solutions through parental awareness and positive parenting practices. Esha Hossain, Country Director, Synergos Bangladesh, noted that community engagement is a key strength of the project, with local communities voluntarily providing space for childcare centres.
Senior journalists stressed that child drowning deaths are preventable and that sensitive, data-driven, and solution-oriented journalism can play a vital role, including addressing the needs of children in urban areas. Mahmuda Akhtar noted that effective media engagement can help overcome coordination challenges in child-focused initiatives.
In her closing remarks, Mosammat Arju Ara Begum urged continued collaboration among development partners and media organisations. Speakers concluded that ensuring early childhood care, development, and protection is essential for nation-building and requires coordinated action among the government, development organisations, and the media.