CEC was set up in Bangladesh to combat the exploitation of children of all forms including sexual abuse and exploitation, violence and trafficking. Throughout these years CEC has been unique in bringing in new dimensions in its  programme approach by introducing 'theatre for awareness' and 'participatory media advocacy' as its core activities.

 

A mobile theatre group using traditional and modern music, mime and folk with role-play based on real life stories toured rural areas of Bangladesh reaching more than 300,000 people of all ages. This has contributed to changing the attitude of the people towards a child-friendly and free world that encourages communities to invest in children's education and not work. 

 

The outcome was surprising ... in the northern-most part of Bangladesh, where most of the families survive on a single meal a day, hundreds of children now go to school eyeing a better future through education.

Illitarate villagers who had set a child to work for family subsistence were often not aware that they might have been sold into slavery. Instead they assumed their child's communication with the family was disrupted by 'unfavorable fate'.

In many cases child sexual abuse and exploitation start in their own homes and communities, while families driven by poverty are persuaded to sell the child with the belief that they are offering it for adoption by a wealthy childless couple when in reality the couples are pimps or sex-traders.

 

The theatre group is dormant at the moment for lack of money. A total of 18 actors and crew will be able to start publicising trafficking of children and women at short notice when funds are available.
It costs 60,000 Taka to stage one performance, the equivalent of about 800 US Dollars or 400 GB Pounds. This includes the cost of wages, transport, accommodation and food.
In the first phase they put on 30 shows at various locations, in the second phase 50 shows were staged. Performances were put on at locations some distance apart.

The idea is that the message will spread from village to village in the areas in between. Altogether an area equivalent to about a quarter of Bangladesh was covered in this way.
Emancipation of rescued women continues with the packaging project. Some 35 women aged from 18 to 42 earn more than the legal minimum wage packing pills and condoms, thus supporting their families.