Street Children in Dhaka City

Presented by-Khondker Rawan HamidStudent of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology

Street Children:UNICEF Defines street children as,

"those who are of the street and on the street." In this study, the term street children refers to those children of 5 to 14 years of age who earn their living on the city streets and stay there for most, or all, of the day. They may or may not have parents or legal guardians.

Around 2 million children are on the streets of urban Bangladesh.

A half of these children are female. According to one estimate, approximately

320,000 migrants enter Dhaka annually.

The number of street children in Dhaka City is estimated at more than 215,000.

 

Causes of migration:

1. Poverty2.Unemployment3.Family conflict4.Village conflict5.OthersVoluntary migrationInfluenced by others

The Places Where the Street Children are Seen in Dhaka City:

Mirpur Mazar,Gabtoli Bus Station,Cantonment Railway Station,Gulshan Circle No 2,Mohakhali Bus Station,Kawranbazar,Kamlapur Railway Station,Dhaka Stadium,High Court Area,Saidabad Bus Station,Sadarghat Launch Terminal. 

Livelihood of the Street Children:

The street children work mostly as:1. vendors,2. car cleaners,3. beggars, 4. newspaper sellers,5. flower sellers, 6. hazardous jobs such as tempo helpers,

brick chippers, rag pickers, factory workers, etc.

Difficulties and dangers faced by children of the street

Not having enough to eat, clean water to drink, clean clothes to wear

Not being able to get medicines when illNot being able to read and write Being abused,insulted,physically tortured and

robbed of their money by adultsThey become vulnerable to drug use and being

trafficked.

Silence is Acceptance!

Recommendation:1. To initiate a social mobilization program in

the place of origin by the NGOs to stop the flow of migrations.

2. To create local employment by the Government.

3. Food for education programs.4. Vocational training program.5. Rehabilitation assistance by the

Government &NGOs.6. Providing shelter for better and secure

living conditions.7. Providing health and sanitation program.

Conclusion:

Economic poverty is the main and sometimes the only cause leading children in developing countries to migrate to the street. These children deserve a better future where their basic social rights like health, safety and education are protected and promoted.

 

Thank You