A new UNICEF report reveals that 9 out of 10 children aged 1-14 in Bangladesh are subjected to violent discipline by caregivers each month, impacting over 45 million children.
Globally, 400 million children under 5 — 6 in 10 in this age group — regularly face psychological aggression or physical punishment at home, reads a press release.
Approximately 330 million of these children endure physical discipline.
The report was released alongside the first-ever International Day of Play, highlighting the importance of play for child development and mental health.
UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, is working to create a violence-free environment for families and children.
Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, said, "Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment. Through our partnerships, we are making significant strides in protecting children from violence."
In 2023, the Sports for Development (S4D) program engaged 4.5 million parents in discussions on child safety and violence prevention, supported by UNICEF.
UNICEF has also established 2,170 Child Protection Community Hubs in 43 districts, preventing over 1,000 child marriages in 2023.
These hubs provide safe spaces, protection services, and psychosocial support for children and families.
On the International Day of Play, UNICEF calls on the Government of Bangladesh and other stakeholders to ensure every child's right to play, development, and well-being, and to increase the number of social workers to support a functional child protection system.
