‘Child Help Line-1098’ extended to support more vulnerable children

DHAKA, Oct. 12 (NsNewsWire) —  Grameenphone has partnered with UNICEF to support extension of the first-ever ‘Child Help Line – 1098’ in Bangladesh by signing a formal agreement .

This was disclosed in a press conference at a hotel in Dhaka city on Monday.

UNICEF Bangladesh Representative Edouard Beigbeder, Grameenphone’s Chief Marketing Officer Yasir Azman and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Mahmud Hossain were present in the program. Hans Martin Hoegh Henrichsen, Chief Representative Officer of Telenor in Bangladesh was also present on the occasion.

Since 2011, the Child Help Line has provided emergency support services to children at risk throughout Dhaka. The toll-free Child Help Line number ‘1098’, is a government project implemented by the Department of Social Services under the Ministry of Social Welfare and supported by UNICEF in collaboration with partner NGO – Aprajayo Bangladesh. It operates a 24-hour telephone line and is providing emergency support services to children at risk, as well as to adults who are concerned about certain children. The service links children with existing social protection services through rescue, safe shelter, referral and networking.

“The success of Child Helpline was so compelling that we wanted to extend its reach – today that has become a reality due our collaborative partnership with Grameenphone and the Ministry of Social Welfare. More vulnerable children will be able to seek professional support in times of need. We thank Grameenphone and the Ministry for their vital support,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Bangladesh Representative.

Speaking on the occasion Grameenphone CMO, Yasir Azman said, “Grameenphone’s vision is to Empower Society. Child Helpline 1098 has proven itself an empowering tool for children in distress and we pleased to expand its reach in Bangladesh. Such initiatives are important for social empowerment and Grameenphone is proud to be working with UNICEF on this important project.”

“Telenor is proud to have a global partnership with UNICEF focusing on promoting children’s rights leveraging mobile technology. The mobile industry has proven to have positive effects on economic and social welfare, it is our ambition to extend the benefits of telecommunications into all markets where we operate. Telenor is pleased to support this project (extension of Child Helpline) which is an example of how telecommunication can provide children new ways to improve their own lives and make their voices heard,” said Hans Martin Hoegh Henrichsen, Chief Representative Officer of Telenor in Bangladesh.

Based on the success of the pilot project, Grameenphone is supporting the extension of the ‘Child Help Line 1098’ to an additional 10 Upazillas (sub-districts) and two City Corporations, including Dhaka and Khulna City Corporations and Dacope, Dimla, Domar, Nilphamari Sadar, Kishoreganj, Jamalpur Sadar, Sarishabari, Bhola Sadar, Lalmohon and Char fashion Upazillas. This is being administered under the overall guidance of UNICEF and the Ministry of Social Welfare and is part of a wider global partnership that was established by Telenor ASA and UNICEF in in February 2014.