IJM launches Project Shurakkha to protect children from exploitation

International Justice Mission (IJM), a global rights organisation, on Wednesday (September 17) launched Project Shurakkha, a new initiative to protect children in Bangladesh from commercial sexual exploitation, says a media statement.

The launch event at The Westin Dhaka brought together government officials, law enforcement, civil society representatives, and international experts. Speakers at the programme stressed the need for stronger child protection systems and collective action to safeguard vulnerable children.

Claire Wilkinson, IJM’s regional vice president for South Asia, said in her keynote address, “Safeguarding children requires both collective effort and robust structures.”

Blair Burns, IJM’s chief programme officer, attended as the chief dignitary. Md Daud Miah, director general of the NGO Affairs Bureau, and Md Saidur Rahman Khan, director general of the Department of Social Services, joined as special guests.

Other notable attendees included Al-Amin Noyon, president of ANIRBAN; Ali Akbar Khan, additional DIG of CID; and Khondakar Md Mahabubur Rahman, additional secretary of the Security Services Division under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Organisers said the project will focus on four areas: strengthening the justice system, bringing offenders to justice, rescuing and restoring victims, and scaling demand for justice.

International experts—including Sharon Cohn Wu, Atty Samson Inocencio, and Maria Theresa C Casino—shared regional perspectives on tackling trafficking and exploitation in South Asia.

A panel discussion in the afternoon gathered government and non-government representatives to discuss child safeguarding. The programme concluded with remarks from Wilkinson and Dr Saima Khan, country director of UNAIDS Bangladesh.

Around 200 participants joined the event, including senior government officials, law enforcement representatives, civil society leaders, and international experts.

IJM, which has been working globally for the past 28 years to protect vulnerable communities, said it will collaborate with the government, civil society, and local communities in Bangladesh to ensure justice and safety for children through Project Shurakkha.