Dhaka:Lasting solutions to social crises and crimes require psychological transformation and coordinated community-level psychosocial initiatives, according to Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister emphasized that relying solely on law enforcement, court trials, and institutional expansion is insufficient. He addressed a national seminar organized by the Clinical Social Workers Association of Bangladesh at Dhaka University's Alumni Association Auditorium.
Zahid highlighted demographic challenges in Bangladesh, noting that women make up 51 percent of the population and 34 percent are under 18. He stressed the importance of targeted psychosocial interventions for these groups. Additionally, he expressed concern about the 51 percent child marriage rate, arguing that legal enforcement alone cannot eliminate the practice without changing social attitudes and raising awareness about its negative impacts.
The minister called attention to the shortage of trained frontline social workers and advocated for a stronger grassroots workforce to deliver social services. He likened the need for a community-based network in social welfare to those existing in the agricultural and health sectors.
He also mentioned the government's efforts to transform existing institutions into people-centered organizations and urged NGOs, researchers, and academics to collaborate with the government in these endeavors.
State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr M A Muhit, speaking as a special guest, emphasized the importance of public awareness about mental health. He identified issues such as adolescent mental health, digital addiction, and parental separation as emerging concerns, and called for more focus on intimate partner violence, domestic trauma, and perinatal and postpartum depression.
The seminar was presided over by CSWAB President Prof Tahmina Akhtar, with Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam attending as a guest.