Include Online Sexual Exploitation in National Curriculum

Yesterday (May 19), Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) organised a views exchange meeting at CIRDAP where educationists and rights activists said that issues related to online sexual abuse should be incorporated in the National Curriculum and Textbook Board programme. ASK has been implementing a project on “online sexual exploitation” funded by Terre des Hommes (TDH) Netherlands at 28 schools under four districts, where they raise awareness among students, said ASK’s Child Rights Unit Coordinator Ambika Roy.

Children spend a large portion of their time online, thus they are exposed to the risk of online exploitation through emails or social media platforms. Children encountering such exploitation at any point could suffer psychological issues and live in constant fear of being exposed, said Prof Mahzabeen Haque of the Department of Psychology at Dhaka University. Prof Mahzabeen said incidents of sexual exploitation should be minimised, even if it is not possible to completely uproot this evil from society, and for this different initiatives are required.

Praising the proposal, Lutfun Nahar, deputy secretary of education ministry, said the ministry would take measures to this end. However, further brainstorming and experts’ opinions were required before finalising any content, she said.

Source: The Daily Star