From a Worried Mother to a Community Protector

Halima Khatun, a 29-year-old divorced mother, lives in a Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar. As a single parent raising her only child, Halima faced constant social stigma and emotional hardship within the community. Neighbours often mocked her for raising a child alone, making her feel isolated and powerless.

“Some of my neighbours used to mock me, asking how I could raise my child alone,” Halima shared with teary eyes.

Life in the camp was filled with protection risks, including child trafficking, kidnapping, neglect, abuse, and general insecurity. With no husband and limited income opportunities, Halima bore the full responsibility of ensuring her child’s safety and wellbeing. Her daily life was marked by fear and uncertainty. She constantly worried about her child’s protection and future in an unsafe environment. At the same time, she observed that many other mothers in the camp were facing similar challenges but lacked the knowledge and support to respond. Although Halima felt a strong desire to support children and mothers in her community, she did not know how or where to begin. She lacked awareness of child protection mechanisms, referral pathways, and community support systems, leaving her feeling helpless despite her motivation to act.

Halima’s journey toward empowerment began when a neighbour introduced her to the Community-Based Child Protection Committee (CBCPC) formed under the JF-FS & CPiE project, marking a turning point in her life. After joining, she actively participated in quarterly meetings, child protection learning sessions, and positive parenting discussions, where she gained essential knowledge on child rights, prevention of child marriage, and available referral mechanisms. These sessions gradually transformed her fear into confidence and equipped her with practical skills to respond to protection risks within her community. Applying this knowledge, Halima began taking action—raising awareness among parents, intervening in child protection concerns, and even preventing a child marriage within her own family despite strong resistance. Her commitment was also evident when she courageously rescued a drowning child without hesitation. Reflecting on her transformation, Halima shared,

“Before, I only worried about my own child. Now I understand how to protect all children, and I feel responsible to stand up for them.”

Through continuous engagement and support from the CBCPC platform, Halima evolved from a passive observer into an active and determined advocate for child protection in her community.

Halima is no longer living in fear and isolation. Today, she stands as a confident and active member of the Community-Based Child Protection Committee (CBCPC), working to safeguard children in her community. She continues to raise awareness on child protection risks, support vulnerable families, and collaborate with local leaders to strengthen community accountability.

“Now I feel strong. I am not only protecting my child, but also standing for all children in my community,” Halima shared with confidence.

Community members now respect her and seek her advice on childcare and protection issues – something that once felt impossible for her. Her courage has also inspired other women to speak up against harmful practices and challenge social stigma.

Halima’s efforts have contributed to increased awareness, stronger community engagement, and a growing understanding that children’s safety and wellbeing must come first.

“Before, people ignored these issues. Now, we talk about them and try to protect our children together,” she added.

Halima’s story is a powerful example of how community-based interventions can transform individuals into agents of change. With the right knowledge, support, and platform, even the most vulnerable individuals can rise to protect not only their own families, but an entire community.