A dedicated social service worker’s journey in creating a safer tomorrow for children

Acknowledging the critical role social service workers play in ensuring child rights, the Government of Bangladesh, supported by UNICEF, has intensified child protection measures by significantly expanding the social service workforce throughout the nation 

In Bangladesh, where 45 million children under the age of 14 are subjected to physical and psychological violence, the urgency for robust child protection measures is paramount. Recognizing this pressing need, the Government of Bangladesh embarked on a vital initiative to address the scarcity of trained social service workers. With the intent to fortify the country's child protection system, the government has recruited 1,239 new social workers and 21 psychosocial counselors to collaborate with children and families at the community level, marking an increase of 40% in the workforce.  

Additionally, 5 model Upazilas have been established in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Cox’s Bazar with support from UNICEF. This initiative is poised to significantly enhance the capacity of the social service sector to effectively safeguard the rights and well-being of Bangladesh's most vulnerable children. 

To effectively provide child protection services, which include preventing and responding to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation, while addressing harmful practices such as child marriage and child labor, it is crucial to increase the number of social service workers and prioritize their capacity to manage risks and respond to situations of vulnerability and harm.  

UNICEF, with support from the European Union and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), has been working with the Government of Bangladesh in this nationwide endeavor in enhancing the capacity of social service workers through comprehensive training and advocacy programmes. 

A journey towards safeguarding vulnerable children 

Amidst the backdrop of transformative initiatives, the story of S M Habibur Rahman, an Upazila Social Services Officer (USSO) from Kurigram, unfolds as a testament to the profound impact of dedicated social service workers in the realm of child protection. Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of northern Bangladesh, Kurigram emerges as a focal point of hope in the crusade for child welfare. 

A father himself, Habib realized that protecting his own children was not enough if other children in the community remained vulnerable. This realization ignited his passion for engaging social workers and community people to create identification and referral service mechanisms for children at risk of violence, abuse, and neglect. In 2015, UNICEF and the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) Basic-Professional Social Services Training (BSST-PSST) provided a chance for him to translate his passion into action, enabling him to work towards the protection of children by equipping him with the necessary knowledge and skills. Since then, Habib has been a driving force behind pioneering initiatives aimed at confronting the myriad child protection challenges prevalent in his community and in Bangladesh.  

With support from UNICEF's Child Sensitive Social Protection in Bangladesh (CSPB) Programme and DSS, Habib engaged a team of six social workers and embarked on a comprehensive mission to identify vulnerable children and their families and address prevalent child protection issues within Kurigram. Under his leadership, social workers from DSS have established a comprehensive child protection network across all levels within the Upazila. This network engages community-level volunteers and members of Community Based Child Protection Committees to identify children at risk and refer them to services through social workers. Each month, every social worker identifies 5 such children and through meticulous case management and proactive interventions, in 2022 Habib and his team facilitated the birth registration of 1,104 adolescent girls, who were at risk of early marriage, thereby safeguarding their futures and shielding them from the perils of harmful practices by preventing their marriage. 

“The child protection situation in Bangladesh demands a profound transformation to alter the destiny of vulnerable children. Poverty stands out as a primary obstacle in Bangladesh's child protection landscape. To effectively aid vulnerable children and their families, we must prioritize integrating families into income-generating activities, enabling them to assume proper responsibility for their children,” says USSO Habibur Rahman. 

Habib demonstrated his commitment to transforming the lives of vulnerable children by hiring an orphan boy from a shelter home as his assistant after he turned 18 and enrolled him in computer classes offered by Urban Social Services Office, DSS. With his guidance, the boy became proficient and supported Child Protection documentation activities as a skilled computer operator. 

Fostering community mobilization 

Habib's proactive approach extends to prevention and awareness-raising initiatives as well. In the same year,  he organized an awareness raising campaign that reached over 1,000 parents of selected girls and teachers, shedding light on the dire consequences of child marriage and how to prevent them, and training sessions for local marriage registrars to combat the scourge of child marriage along with sessions about the UNICEF supported Child Helpline (CHL) – 1098. 

In a remarkable effort to mobilize the community, with technical support from DSS and UNICEF, Habib established 72 committees across all wards of the Kurigram Upazila, engaging over a thousand members in the collective mission of child protection. These committees emerged as active agents of change, collaborating closely with social workers to address various child protection issues at grassroot level. 

Social service workers play an important role in connecting children with vital resources and care, fostering growth and stability. 

“Over the years, the situation of the deprived children in Kurigram, along with their families, has undergone a remarkable transformation. They have gained strength and confidence to envision a brighter future. Simultaneously, their social status has been elevated with the unwavering support from the Department of Social Services,” says Habib while expressing gratitude for the support he has received for his work. 

With the goal of creating an inclusive society, Habib is also dedicated to serving children with disabilities and regularly conducts Disability Identification Survey. He coordinates with both government and non-government organizations to facilitate the mainstreaming of disabled children and provide support to their families.  

“USSO Habibur Rahman helped me secure my citizen card and disability stipend, which enabled me to continue my studies and sit for the secondary school examination this year. He is also supporting my family in arranging an artificial leg for me, aiming to make my life more fulfilling. I dream of becoming a teacher at a government school in the future to serve children. I will forever cherish the kindness and efforts of USSO Habibur Rahman and his team,” says Lima, a 16-year-old girl who had lost a leg in an accident. 

Strengthening child protection services across the nation 

Habib's dedication in ensuring the well-being of his community goes beyond his professional duties. He actively engages with local communities to raise awareness about child rights and the importance of reporting incidents of abuse and exploitation. Through community meetings, workshops, and awareness campaigns, he empowers parents, teachers, and community leaders to become advocates for child protection, fostering a culture of vigilance and accountability. 

As Bangladesh continues its journey towards strengthening its child protection system, the stories of social service workers like Habib serve as poignant reminders of the profound impact that dedicated professionals can have on vulnerable communities. By investing in the expansion of the social service workforce and supporting grassroot initiatives, Bangladesh is paving the way for a brighter future for its children, characterized by safety, security, and opportunity.