'Upholding child rights and ensuring their welfare will be possible only if we all make meaningful contributions to child development,' she said while inaugurating World Children Day and Child Rights Week 2006 at Osmani Memorial auditorium here.

The Prime Minister said all will have to be devoted in building a child-friendly society to ensure a bright future for them.

She recalled her address at the special UN session on children on May 10, 2002 and said, 'Children are our greatest resource and the source of delight. They are the future of the country, the nation and the world.'

She said children are the centre of her government's development efforts. 'We have proved it through our works during the past years. The trend will continue in future too,' she added.

Referring to the importance of the role of families to protect rights of children, she said behaviours of family members have impact on their physical and mental health.

'Therefore, the family members will have to be conscious while dealing with children. They will have to listen to the children,' she added.

The Prime Minister said a supportive and congenial environment will have to be created for children where they will feel comfortable and their talent will flourish.

Chaired by State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Alamgir Kabir, the function was also addressed by the Ministry's Secretary Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Shishu Academy Chairperson Prof Zubaida Gulshan Ara and child representatives JSA Marshal and Mehruma Tabassum Sejuti.

Unicef country representative in Dhaka also spoke on the occasion.

The function was rounded off with a cultural show presented by the child artistes of Shishu Academy.

Ministers, lawmakers, representatives of international development agencies, officials and a large number of children were present at the function. The theme of the day was 'We will hear the children and groom them up -- the world will cheer.'

Stressing the need for ensuring health and education, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh has ratified the UN charter on child rights and the Saarc charter on children. Keeping them in view, the government has been implementing various programmes, she added.

The Prime Minister recalled that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman established Bangladesh Shishu Academy in 1976 which helped develop the children in cultural field and clinch gold medals in international competitions.

She listed a number of steps taken by the present government for overall development of children and protection of their rights. The steps are in education, health, sanitation, nutrition, immunisation and legal fields.

The PM said measures have been taken for appointment of an ombudsman to protect child rights.