ICTs can help children during disaster

F. M. Mostaque “In the event of natural or even man-made disasters, adequate information on the condition of children can help create awareness against the atrocities they face, such as physical harassment, sexual abuse and trafficking of children that occurs during such times. This is where the maximum potential of ICTs can be explored.” Says F.M. Mostaque in an interview with Ankita Handoo of OneWorld South Asia. How would you summarise the work in your country in relation to child rights? The government, under the Women and Children Affairs ministry, has ensured child rights and equality to women through the various programmes that have been initiated. These programmes advocate for abolition of child labour, other forms of child exploitation and seek to provide adequate measures that will ensure proper child development. For this, it has partnered with various international agencies like the International Labour Organisation (ILO), World Bank, USAID and NGO’s to implement these programmes. The most applied communication tools are the Internet or the print media. How have the NGO’s used ICT’s to ensure access to quality healthcare and educational services? Various NGO’s are providing assistance by parting technical training on various vocational courses to increase the skill development of these children. Major networking and advocacy, both at the ground level and at the national level has been done with the intervention of various NGO’s. Many health and childcare campaigns related to nutrition are taken up effectively. Communication technologies like radio, posters, street theatre has helped to promote awareness among people about the fatal consequences of diseases and deficiencies. To increase the education level, the government and NGOs are trying to adopt the distance learning programme and encourage the setting up of knowledge centres. This way, children will be able to study and acquire knowledge even if they are not enrolled in proper schools. Media has helped to mobilise people at the local level. Street plays, musicals, skits are organised to promote literacy among children and youth. Efforts are also made to educate and sensitise people through posters and discussion forums. These forums can be a platform to raise issues for girl education and other socially relevant problems. As ICT mediums, community radio and community libraries offer large benefits as they promote two-sided participation among people rather than a one-sided information dissemination process. The two-way knowledge dissemination can be used effectively to identify problems and create solutions. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are effective for global networking and helps to promote child development not only at an individual or country level but also at a global level. Best practices of every country can be shared with international partners, donors, and other agencies focussing on child labour and child rights. Supporting this, an example of the nonformal education for children where training on health services, vocational courses are provided by the means of communication technologies by various organisations can be cited. Other facilities such as the back up service support measures are also offered to children and parents, sensitive to their needs by the government to ensure a better childhood. What steps are taken to fight child labour, trafficking sexual abuse and other child related problems? Child related problems and issues could be addressed effectively by creating awareness about it and disseminating information. If relevant information can be provided to the masses, various organisations from within and outside the country can help in specific areas. In this regard, the major content provider could be the electronic media and the print media. For example, statistics on child labour and exploitation can be published frequently in the newspapers, magazines and on the Internet, as a supplement to the schemes and activities undertaken by the government and non-government outfits in this regard. This would also help to provide a glimpse of the work being undertaken in the country to the international agencies, especially the donors. How can technology address the problems faced by children in disaster situations? In the event of natural or even man-made disasters, adequate information on the condition of children can help create awareness against the atrocities they face such as physical harassment, sexual abuse and trafficking of children that occurs during such times. This is where the maximum potential of ICTs can be explored. An example cited is that of coastal areas that are often vulnerable to natural disasters and if information regarding the same is provided to people in a timely manner, many problems can be effectively tackled. This would also increase the efficiency and effectiveness of rehabilitation and relief programmes . About F.M. Mostaque: He is the Director Community Services, Population Service and Training Centre (an NGO), in Bangladesh.

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