Bangladeshi’s perception of children and The Rights of the “Child”

A case study on perception of children in Bangladesh, socio-economic status and the harmful social normsRose Anne Papavero, Chief Child ProtectionUNICEF BCO

Description of the challenges Rights of the “Child”

No word indicating a human being who is 0 to 18 years old

Several words representing theoretical development stages

Translation of child’s rights: “shishu adhikar” Status of children vary according to factors such as age,

gender, ethnicity, class, wealth and disability

Common language: understanding / not understanding

State of understanding

• not an automatic consequence of physical growth or accumulation of years of age

• tied with the belonging to a community sub-group for example: gender group, socio-economic group (class/caste), religious group or ethnic group

tied with what it is that one should ‘understand’, known as morally good and practice according to their gender, life’s path, religion and duty

A social norm

Similar for boy or girl: provide him/her affection, basic needs and ‘teaching’; tolerance and clemency

individuals prefer to conform to it

they believe that* most people in their reference network conform to it [empirical expectations]

* most people in their reference network believe they should conform to it [normative expectations]

Shishu adhikar, taken to mean small children’s needs; UNICEF to be a catalyst to create demand for Child’s Rights

Not understanding child

A social norm part of schema/script of non married girl

give her for marriage soon after first menstruation if not able to protect her virginity and/or if not able to provide a substantial dowry

individuals prefer to conform to it

they believe that* most people in their reference network conform to it [empirical expectations]

* most people in their reference network believe they should conform to it [normative expectations]

Kishori: Hidden power, non-decisions, UNICEF to be a catalyst to create demand for Child’s Rights

Understanding girl child Category? Female in a patriarchal society

A descriptive norm part of schema/script of non married boy

boy to be prepared to be a father holding responsibility and authority over women and children; (male lineage)

individuals prefer to conform to it

they believe that

* most people in their reference network conform to it [empirical expectations]

*father applies his parental authority

Kishor: Hidden power, non-decisions but responsibilities', UNICEF to be a catalyst to create demand for Child’s Rights

Understanding boy child Category? Male in a patriarchal society

Expected impact of strategies in fostering social norm changes

1. Empowered adolescents

2. Knowledgeable and coordinated community

3. Overcome economic barriers

4. Harmonized legal frame

A tool to introduce new normative expectations linked

with CRC

CHILD DEVELOPMENT: A Child’s RIGHTS PERSPECTIVE

OUTLINE MODULE 1 – INTRODUCTION & WHO IS A CHILD?Session 1 – Who is a Child?Session 2 – The Rights of the Child MODULE 2 - GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF A CHILDSession 3 – Areas of Growth & Development Session 4 – Stages of Child developmentMODULE 3 - ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT Session 5 – Adolescent Development – A Time of TransitionSession 6 – Adolescent Brain Development & BehaviorSession 7 – Adolescent Participation & DevelopmentMODULE 4 - CHILD ABUSE, HARMFUL PRACTICES & DEVELOPMENTSession 8 – Child Abuse: Impact on DevelopmentSession 9 – Harmful Practices: Impact on DevelopmentMODULE 5 - POSITIVE PARENTING / CAREGIVINGSession 10 – Parenting & Child DevelopmentSession 11 – Positive ParentingSession 12 – Parenting & AdolescentsMODULE 6 – CONCLUSION & NEXT STEPSSession 13 - What Have We Learned & What’s Next?

ProposedTo be explored a media campaign that will:

• introduce a word that will be inclusive of all children from 0 to 18 years

• Support new empirical expectations related to child development

• Create social movement to support the integration of new normative expectations

• Promote positive reporting: From News Brief 10 July 2013 (Editorial) News Today, P.4, [UNICEF mentioned];

Ready for change?!!!

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