Eco-friendly handicrafts to build resilience

Children and adolescents rush out of the Begum Rokeya Child Protection Community Hub beside Mirpur Pallabi Degree College in Dhaka with colourful toys in hand. Inside, the walls are adorned with vibrant posters with messages on preventing child marriage, corporal punishment, and violence. The scene outside the hub is equally lively, with children arranging their handmade creations on mats spread across the front yard.

Among them is 15-year-old Monika, surrounded by her friends and other children from the community. They have gathered for a session filled with creativity and learning. Coconut shell dolls, paper flowers, ice-cream stick dollhouses, and eggshell penguins populate the scene, showcasing the diverse range of handcrafted wonders.

A tool for empowerment

Handicrafts, they discover, offer more than just artistic expression. Handicrafts through eco-friendly materials represent an instrumental mean for children, including adolescents in Bangladesh to respect their environment. They serve as powerful tools for fostering empowerment and preventing harmful practices. The activities stimulate creativity and help develop essential skills in children. These activities also provide a space for the children to play and experiment producing their own toys in a recyclable and sustainable manner.

Monika excitedly recounts her experience of learning to craft penguins using paper and discarded eggshells. "During today's lesson, I learned how to make toy penguins. They turned out so beautiful, and I even painted them myself. I never imagined that we could create such beautiful toys from things my mother used to throw away." she shares enthusiastically. Her newfound skills have also inspired her to teach her friends and siblings, spreading the joy of creativity throughout the community.

Mahbuba Yasmin Mitu, the handicrafts instructor, has been guiding these children and adolescents in crafting eco-friendly toys from discarded materials for more than a year. Witnessing their enthusiasm and spontaneity in the sessions fills her with awe. "It is incredible to see how children, adolescents, and community members actively engage in these activities," she reflects. "Besides boosting their confidence, these sessions also provide a platform for self-expression. The joy of creation is evident as they transform ordinary materials like cardboard and paper into delightful works of art. It is truly inspiring to witness their enjoyment and sense of accomplishment," Mitu adds.

The community hub serves as a safe space for these children, offering not only creative expression but also a shield from the harsh realities of the world. Violence against children is a pervasive issue, transcending boundaries and affecting lives in every corner of society. Whether it's physical, emotional, or sexual, all children deserve protection from harm and exploitation. Harmful practices like child marriage and child labor are the main challenges for these children. Empowering them to take decisions for the best interest in their life is life changing for them.

In these hubs, an awareness session on violence prevention is delivered before or after the handcrafting session, as well as on climate change sustainable initiatives and emergency prevention. These activities engage parents, and caregivers, empowering communities to become agents of social change.

Safeguarding children across the country

UNICEF has been working with the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MoWCA) in establishing Child Protection Community Hubs (CPCHs) across the country. These hubs offer comprehensive protection services, including recreational activities, mental health support, and rights-based training. With over 2,100 hubs operating in the most vulnerable areas of the country, these centers provide equitable access and referrals to multiple services for millions of children and adolescents, including birth registration as well as health, nutrition and education among others.

“These hubs are part of larger child protection systems strengthening approach that prioritize the well-being of children, ensuring they have access to essential services and fair justice systems from the moment they are born. They extend a helping hand to the most vulnerable children—those with disabilities, those in alternative care, those affected by conflict or poverty, and those at risk of exploitation. By addressing the physical, mental, and psychosocial needs of children, these systems aim to safeguard their lives and futures” says Natalie McCauley, Chief of Child Protection, UNICEF Bangladesh. Through community-led approaches, including teaching crafts, these hubs have provided over 25 million child-protection services to 15 million children, including adolescents, until 2023. “In 2021 UNICEF, with support from the European Union, operated a major shift in the way this programme was implemented. Through direct implementation from MoWCA and thanks to a community-led approach, these hubs have provided over 25 million child-protection services to more than 15 million children and adolescents in 2023. Before the reform, we could only reach a maximum of 140,000 children per year,” says Elisa Calpona, PhD, Child Protection Manager, UNICEF Bangladesh. In addition, women thirty years of age and older are identified and recruited to serve as community facilitators under this project, assisting in managing the activities of the hubs.

For the marginalized population, community-led initiatives such as painting, and handicraft activities provide a multifaceted approach to social, economic, and mental well-being. In addition to engaging in creative activities, participants also benefit from the exchange of ideas and socialization in a supportive environment. In households with financial constraints, learning to produce handcrafts helps parents to provide toys for their children without financial burden. These sessions also foster discussions on crucial topics like drug abuse and education and instills a sense of responsibility among the boys to protect girls and women in the community, and not tease or harass them. They serve as a guiding light for adolescents, steering them away from negative behaviors and in the long run help them become better human beings. 

The impact extends beyond the individual level, reaching families, communities, and society at large. By participating in the community engagement sessions, parents gain a deeper understanding of their children's psychological needs and rights to care, protection, and healthy development. Reflecting on her experience, 27-year-old Salma Akter, a mother of two, shares, "I used to lose my temper when my children made mistakes, but now I remain patient and address their faults calmly. As a result, they also pay attention to what I say and abide by it.” This shift in parental approach fosters healthier parent-child relationships and contributes to the broader awareness and collective action against harmful practices in society, such as child marriage, child labor, violence against women and children, etc. As communities unite in their efforts, they become more resilient, standing together to safeguard the rights and well-being of children.

Transforming communities through craft

As Monika and her peers engage in handicrafts activities, they not only hone their artistic skills but also develop critical social and emotional competencies. They learn to communicate, collaborate, and express themselves in a safe and supportive environment. These skills help enrich their lives and equip them to navigate the challenges they may face in the future. By nurturing creativity, handicrafts offer a therapeutic outlet, easing stress and anxiety linked to various harmful practices thus enhancing overall resilience and quality of life.

In the face of adversity, creativity becomes a powerful tool for resilience and empowerment. Through handicrafts and community support, children like Monika find the courage to speak out, and advocate for change. Additionally, with parents actively engaged and lending a listening ear, they provide invaluable guidance and support to their children, creating a safe space for them to express themselves. Together, they strive to combat harmful practices and build a safer, brighter future for themselves and for generations to come. UNICEF remains steadfast in its commitment to turn the aspirations of these children into reality, igniting hope and change across communities.

UNICEF expresses its sincere gratitude to the European Union for their generous contributions to the child protection programme.