Plight of street children--

Although various local and international organisations are vocal about the rights of the children, the plight of street children paints a starkly different reality. They face unimaginable hardships as they are denied of basic necessities like food, shelter and education. The number of underprivileged children, often starting their street life as young as two years old, is alarmingly high. Children as young as seven or eight beg with flowers, and their pleas are often ignored.

A study by the Ministry of Social Welfare paints a grim picture: 51 per cent of street children face verbal abuse, 20 per cent experience physical abuse, and 14.5 per cent are victims of sexual violence, with girls bearing the brunt of this horrific reality. A separate report by the Social and Economic Enhancement Program reveals the depths of their deprivation: 44 per cent are drug addicts, 41 per cent lack beds, 40 per cent cannot bathe, 35 per cent defecate in the open, 54 per cent lack support during sickness, and 75 per cent cannot access medical care.

Food, clothing, shelter, education, and healthcare are fundamental rights, but the street children can hardly enjoy any of these basic rights. Society and the state must share responsibility for this failure. While primary education is compulsory, street children are systematically excluded. Their numbers swell daily. They are forced to consume unhealthy food, their education aspirations crushed under the weight of neglect and exploitation. Winter brings added danger, a constant fight for survival.

Their reality is bleak: begging at intersections, sleeping on sidewalks and resorting to drugs to numb hunger, loneliness, and despair. "Dundee", a dangerous concoction, and other substances are their companions, which help them escape from a harsh world.

Education and rehabilitation are crucial. The government must formulate specific policies to address their needs, aligning with the SDG target of ending child labour by 2025. Structural progress is not enough; tangible results are needed.

Mere words on paper won't suffice. We, as a society, must act. Thousands of children cannot spend their lives on the streets. Authorities need concrete plans and implementation, addressing shelter, healthcare, and other essential needs, not just during winter but throughout the year. Additionally, ensuring proper utilisation of allocated budgets for street children's welfare is of paramount importance.

Let us not turn a blind eye to their suffering. Let's act collectively, demand accountability, and strive towards a world where every child, including those on the streets, can access their fundamental rights and live with dignity.

Faruk Mahmud

Student

University of Dhaka