Daffodil Institute Of Social Sciences
Children living on the streets are particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. These children also endure increased risks to their safety and well-being. Many of them work, often in hazardous and low-wage jobs, to support themselves and their families. Due to low family income and unemployment of parents, many families depend on their children's earnings to survive. Children who live on the street are also vulnerable to other forms of exploitation and frequently find themselves the victims of sexual abuse, physical torture, and trafficking. Extensive criminal networks make substantial profits by engaging children in commercial sex work, smuggling, stealing, and the distribution of drugs and weapons.
Following the hardship and abuse of life on the streets, many children suffer trauma and psychosocial disorders. Children living on the streets are often abused or oppressed by police, who frequently beat them, ask for bribes, take away their valuables and implicate them in false charges. Ordinary members of society keep discriminatory looks at the children, which further isolates them from the general Community.
In order to protect the rights of the street children and bring them out of the vulnerability, the child development centers, vagrant homes or orphanages are rarely viewed in Bangladesh. Though a limited number of centers/ care houses are run by Govt. and Non Govt. organizations (NGOs); however the number is quite low in favor of the children living on the street. On the other hand, the standard of care provided in the institutions also raises questions while lack of monitoring leads to bigger questions.
Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) projected the number of street children in Bangladesh is 1.5 million in 2015 and it will reach 1.56 million in 2024, while the government claims the current number is 3.4 million. The given situation clearly reveals that there are no comprehensive and reliable statistics available on the actual numbers, living conditions, needs and interests of children living on the streets. But the fact is street children constitute one of the most vulnerable and marginal groups in Bangladesh.
Though several acts and policies have been formulated to protect the rights of the children; the number of street children and their vulnerability are increasing along with the rapid urbanization. In 6.2 section of National Children Policy, it has been stated that the Social Safety Net has to be expanded to ensure the rehabilitation of all poor children and street children. In addition, the National Plan of Action for Children (2005-2010) also clearly emphasizes the urgent need for "education and empowerment." Education is one of the most pressing needs for street children that has clearly been ignored over the years. The role of appropriate education for empowerment of children – especially the disadvantaged groups like the street or working children – has been unequivocally established. Article 17 of the Constitution of Bangladesh recognizes the right to education for all including the disadvantaged children.
A socio-economic analysis report says 51% children abused verbally in different dimensions and 20% children abused physically. Girl’s child felt in sexual harassment comparatively boys and that is 46%. Total 14.5% street children felt in sexual harassment and exploitation (Street children in Bangladesh, A Socio-Economic Analysis 2005, ARISE, Department of Social Services, Ministry of Social Welfare.)