Govt, NGOs, Youth Groups Unite to Improve Survivor Support in Cox’s Bazar

A multi-stakeholder coordination meeting was held in Cox’s Bazar today to strengthen support for adolescents who have survived abuse. JAAGO Foundation Trust organized the meeting under its Shopner Sarothi (Seashore Girls Initiative) project, with support from UNICEF, at Hotel Sea Palace Limited in the city. Around 70 representatives attended, from government agencies, national and international NGOs, and youth-led organizations.

The meeting aimed to make protection services simpler and more coordinated for adolescents and youth in Cox’s Bazar who have survived sexual exploitation or gender-based violence. Participants learned in detail which organization offers which service in the district. They can now refer a young survivor directly to the right organization, whether the need is medical care, counseling, safe shelter, or legal aid. Survivors will no longer have to wander helplessly from one office to another.

The meeting reviewed findings from a ‍service mapping exercise JAAGO Foundation Trust conducted last year. The exercise found gaps in psychosocial counseling, safe shelter, and reintegration support for survivors of Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Participants discussed ways to simplify referral pathways. They placed particular emphasis on strengthening links with the Victim Support Call Center operating in Cox’s Bazar.

“The awareness, participation, and cooperation of men and young people in eliminating discrimination gives us hope. If a service seeker needs support beyond the 54 services under the Department of Social Services, they must be effectively referred to the appropriate institution or service provider. There is no scope to ignore, turn away, or leave any service seeker helpless,” said Sazia Afrin, Social Service Officer, City Social Services Office, Cox’s Bazar.

Discussions were structured around the Essential Services Package (ESP) framework. It brings together four areas: health, psychosocial support, safety and security, and legal aid. The meeting also covered Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) standards. Under these standards, adolescents and youth will be able to give input on the services designed for them and file complaints when needed.

“To ensure a safe environment for children, we must work with a clear understanding of society, social relationships, gender, and the realities of discrimination. Alongside ensuring a safe, supportive, and enabling environment for every child, all services must be child-friendly, inclusive, and accessible,” said Syed Imtiaz Ahmed, Child Protection Officer, UNICEF Bangladesh.

At the close of the meeting, participating representatives announced their individual commitments. They named specific steps they will take over the next 12 months to strengthen adolescent- and youth-friendly PSEA and GBV support in Cox’s Bazar. Organizers have also appointed a focal point to track progress on these commitments.

The meeting followed JAAGO and UNICEF’s Environmental and Social Standards. The venue and transport were made accessible for participants with disabilities. Organizers also kept the use of single-use plastics in catering to a minimum.
-Press Release