Understanding Child Protection Systems in Bangladesh: Field-Based Learning from Children, Communities, and Social Services Workforce (2026)

Children in Bangladesh face multiple risks of violence, abuse, and exploitation. This report presents field-based learning on child protection systems in Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar, drawing on perspectives of children, communities, and social service providers. Findings indicate that while legal and policy frameworks are relatively strong, implementation gaps persist. The social services workforce is central yet constrained by limited capacity, unclear roles, and insufficient supervision. Community-based mechanisms contribute to prevention and referral but face challenges related to capacity, risk, and coordination. Formal services remain uneven in accessibility and quality, particularly for marginalized groups. Strengthening workforce capacity, clarifying roles, and enhancing collaboration are critical to improving system coherence and effectiveness.