In 2024, UNICEF reported that over 3.4 million street children in Bangladesh are living without parental care. This is particularly prevalent in Dhaka city. Most of these children are deprived of their fundamental rights-they are unable to get proper meals, sleep in safe environments, or wear adequate clothing. Due to these severe deprivations, they suffer from a range of health issues, as they are unable to maintain basic hygiene.
Furthermore, living without any guidance, these children often fail to learn what is right and wrong. In many cases, the necessity of survival drives them to engage in criminal activities. They may collect extortion money, sell drugs, participate in contract killings, carry weapons used in snatching, and in extreme cases, as young as 4 to 6 years old children engage in substance abuse.
Street children are not isolated from our society; the crimes they commit affect us all. Therefore, it is essential that we take proactive, preventive steps to address this issue across various sectors, including health, education, the economy, and social services. We cannot simply exclude them from our society; rather, we must work to make them a resource for the future of our country.
Firstly, government-run child care institutions such as orphanages, children's homes (Shishu Paribar), and safe homes must be activated to care for street children. The Children Act of 2013 provides a legal framework for child protection and institutional care, making it the government's responsibility to care for children without parental support. These children should be integrated into educational systems, particularly vocational education, so they can build a resourceful future.
Moreover, the government must ensure public health services specifically for street children, so they can lead healthier lives and not suffer from preventable diseases. Additionally, children who are involved in criminal activities or substance abuse must be placed in rehabilitation programmes, which should include psychological counselling, vocational training, and skill development. These children should not be punished but rehabilitated in ways that enable their reintegration into society.
Zariatul Hafsa
Student
Institute of Social Welfare and Research,
University of Dhaka
zariatulhafsa22@gmail.com
