17-year-old Sadat leads Teen-X to fight child abuse, trafficking

Seventeen-year-old Shahi Al Sadat, a student of St Joseph Higher Secondary School, has emerged as a prominent youth leader in Bangladesh for his work on preventing teenage rape, trafficking, harassment and online exploitation.

He is the founder of Teen-X, a technology-driven youth protection and crisis support platform launched on 2 June 2021, which focuses on safeguarding children and adolescents through awareness, prevention and early response mechanisms.

Since its inception, Teen-X has conducted awareness campaigns, advocacy initiatives and community-based programmes aimed at strengthening child protection systems and creating safer environments for young people.

The platform has expanded its activities through school-based programmes and workshops, addressing issues such as cyber safety, digital exploitation, mental health awareness, anti-harassment education and violence prevention. It also provides guidance and support pathways for victims seeking help and access to protection services.

According to the initiative, its outreach has contributed to awareness-building efforts linked to multiple cases of reporting and legal action, including the arrest of seven individuals accused in rape-related cases, reflecting its role in encouraging reporting and strengthening response mechanisms.

Sadat’s work has received national and international recognition over the years.

He was awarded the National Tech Award in 2024 for technology-driven social innovation and youth empowerment. In 2025, he received several honours, including the PBIF International Business Award, 71 Media Iconic Award, Star Bangladesh Award, South Asian Excellence Award and Global Excellence Award, recognising his work in child protection and digital safety.

In 2026, he was honoured with the Global Iconic Award. In the same year, Team Teen-X won a gold medal at the WICE 2026 National Round Bangladesh for innovation and leadership.

Earlier, Sadat was also nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize 2024, which recognises young advocates for child rights and empowerment.

Through Teen-X, Sadat and his team have reached thousands of students with structured programmes on cyber safety, legal awareness, anti-harassment education and access to mental health support services.

He says his mission is to ensure every teenager’s safety, dignity and right to live free from fear and exploitation.

As Bangladesh continues to grapple with challenges related to gender-based violence and child exploitation, his work highlights the growing role of youth-led, technology-based initiatives in driving awareness and social change.