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. He emphasized that relying solely on law enforcement, court trials, and institutional expansion is insufficient.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister spoke as the chief guest at a national seminar organized by the Clinical Social Workers Association of Bangladesh at Dhaka University's Alumni Association Auditorium. He highlighted the need for targeted psychosocial interventions, particularly for women, who make up 51% of the population, and children, with 34% under the age of 18.
Zahid expressed concern over the 51% child marriage rate in the country, noting that legal enforcement alone cannot eliminate the practice. He stressed the importance of changing social attitudes and raising awareness about the harmful effects on mothers' and children's physical and psychological well-being.
The minister also pointed out the shortage of trained frontline social workers and called for a stronger grassroots workforce to deliver social services. He drew parallels with the agricultural and health sectors, advocating for a similar community-based network for social welfare. He mentioned that the government is working to transform existing institutions into people-centered organizations and urged NGOs, researchers, and academics to collaborate with the government.
State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr M A Muhit, speaking as a special guest, highlighted the need to raise public awareness about mental health. He noted that depression can affect individuals who appear healthy and function normally in daily life. He identified adolescent mental health, digital addiction, and parental separation as emerging concerns, alongside 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.