Bullying is a pervasive issue affecting the well-being and development of children and adolescents worldwide. In Bangladesh, it is a matter of serious concern, with adverse consequences for its victims. This write-up articulated the problem of bullying in Bangladesh highlighting the critical role of the SAIST Foundation in conducting anti-bullying sessions for school students to prevent absenteeism.

Bullying is characterized by repeated aggressive behavior with the intent to harm, intimidate, or establish dominance over another individual. In Bangladesh, bullying can manifest in various forms, including physical, verbal, relational, and, increasingly, cyberbullying. However, schools and online spaces are prominent settings where bullying occurs. To comprehend the scope of bullying in Bangladesh, it's crucial to refer to available research and surveys. A 2018 study by Plan International Bangladesh reported that a staggering 85% of children and adolescents in the country had experienced some form of bullying or violence in their schools. According to the 2019 Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), 30% of students in Bangladesh reported being bullied on school property in the past 30 days. In 2021, UNICEF Bangladesh’s report on protecting children in the digital age indicated that 51% of adolescents aged 13-17 had experienced online harassment, indicating the growing concern about cyberbullying.

The SAIST Foundation, an emerging nonprofit organization in Bangladesh, has been actively working to combat bullying and create a safer environment for students as part of the study “Effectiveness and Scalability of Programs for Children Who Are Out of School and At Risk of Dropping Out in Bangladesh”, funded by the Global Partnership for Education’s (GPE) Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). As part of the study, SAIST has conducted anti-bullying sessions for more than 300 students in primary and high schools in Dhaka City, Bangladesh.

By addressing bullying collectively and raising awareness, we can work towards creating a future where children and adolescents in Bangladesh can pursue their education in a safe and nurturing environment, free from the fear of bullying and its detrimental effects on their well-being and development. The SAIST Foundation's efforts stand as a beacon of hope in the battle against bullying in Bangladesh.