Shahi Al Sadat, a 15-year-old from Meherpur, Bangladesh, has been honored with a nomination for the prestigious International Children’s Peace Prize 2024, often regarded as the “Nobel Prize for Children.” This nomination was put forward by the Deputy Commissioner’s office of Meherpur, recognizing Shahi’s significant efforts in promoting digital safety and child protection.

As the founder of Startup Cyber, Shahi has made a considerable impact in ensuring online safety for children. He has also taken the initiative to establish Children’s Anti-harassment Committees throughout the Meherpur district to tackle bullying and harassment. His most recent project, Kids Helplink, works in collaboration with local authorities, offering legal support and guidance to victims of harassment. So far, his programs have provided direct assistance to 44 students, raised awareness among over 20,000 people, and offered legal advice to 51 individuals.
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Shahi’s Vision for a Safer Future

Shahi believes: “Protecting children from bullying, harassment, and crime is not only about saving them in the present but also about shaping a future free from hatred.” His dedication to child safety and education has had a profound effect on countless lives in Bangladesh and earned him the nomination by the Netherlands-based KidsRights Foundation. Shahi Al Sadat has undoubtedly emerged as a beacon of hope for Bangladesh.

Born on March 22, 2009, in a small village in the Meherpur district of Khulna, Shahi Al Sadat is a child rights activist and the founder of Startup Cyber. Currently a grade 10 student at Meherpur Government High School, Sadat is deeply aware of both his own rights and the rights of his fellow students. His compassion for children and his desire to protect them from online harassment and bullying inspired him to establish an organization aimed at safeguarding children in the digital world. His dream took shape when he crossed paths with Mr. Mohammad Shameem Hasan, the Deputy Commissioner of Meherpur. Mr. Hasan recognized Sadat’s potential and treated him like his own son, supporting his mission. With encouragement from the district administration, Sadat launched Startup Cyber, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring safe online experiences for children. The organization allocates all of its revenue towards raising awareness, printing posters, creating banners, and producing cybersecurity videos. Startup Cyber has organized 71 seminars, not only in Meherpur but also in three other districts across Bangladesh. The organization has also hosted an online seminar and plans to conduct more in the future.

Another key focus of Shahi Al Sadat’s Startup Cyber is the safety of girls. The web portal “GirlsTeenSafe,” developed by Shahi, plays a vital role in raising awareness to ensure the safety of teenage girls in Bangladesh. Inspired by his mother and supported by the district administration, Sadat began working on girls’ safety. Additionally, his platform “Kids Helplink,” which operates in the Khulna Division, provides information on legal aid for children. The web portal “KidsHelplink” was officially inaugurated by the Honorable Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Meherpur, Mr. Md. Shameem Hasan.

Taking its mission further, Startup Cyber has partnered with the District Administration to combat early marriage, child labor, child trafficking, and violence against women. When a victim is reported, Startup Cyber immediately notifies the Crime Investigation Cell. To date, the organization has resolved 103 cases of cyberbullying and harassment, offering both mental and emotional support to victims and their families. As the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Startup Cyber, Shahi Al Sadat is also recognized for his proficiency in information technology and science. Alongside his advocacy for online safety, Shahi is an accomplished author with two notable books to his name: The Quantum Enigma and Cyber Sentinel. As both a writer and a junior programmer, he effectively combines academic knowledge with practical solutions, contributing significantly to discussions on digital security and technological progress.

Shahi Al Sadat also maintains a personal website, “ShahiAlSadat,” which offers insights into his work and accomplishments. The official website of Startup Cyber, “Startup Cyber,” acts as a platform to showcase its initiatives and promote awareness on children’s safety. Under Shahi’s leadership, Startup Cyber has become a driving force in the promotion of children’s safety across Bangladesh.

Startup Cyber, led by Shahi Al Sadat, works tirelessly to protect child rights and ensure child safety. It plays a crucial role in promoting child rights, combating bullying and harassment, ensuring adolescent girls’ safety, raising awareness of legal issues among students, and preventing child marriage and child labor. In addition to these efforts, the organization is contributing to environmental protection. Through strategic partnerships and community involvement, Startup Cyber continues to make strides in its mission to protect young individuals from online threats.

Shahi Al Sadat’s unwavering dedication to raising awareness and improving child safety has garnered widespread recognition. His work exemplifies the vital role youth-led initiatives play in addressing modern challenges, leaving a lasting impact on the field of child rights advocacy.

As a social entrepreneur and child rights activist, Shahi Al Sadat’s journey continues to inspire, and his work in promoting online safety for children is increasingly gaining international recognition.
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