Street children

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics conducted a survey on the street children in 2002 and found that the number of street children in the country is approximately 2,573. Further research conducted by the Foundation for Research on Educational Planning and Development in 2002-2003 found that 97.56 per cent of the street children were boys while 2.44 per cent were girls; 48.7 per cent of were aged between 11-14 years, 26 per cent between 14-17 years and 25.0 per cent between 5-11 years. Compared to national population the number of street children is not too high, but they become a threat to society due to lack of proper care.
Human Rights laws protect children by giving them certain rights. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Office in its report on street childrens' rights stated that "Under international human rights law, States are accountable for respecting, protecting and fulfilling children's rights within their territories. While states play the role of the principal duty bearer for all children - including street-connected children - other non-state entities, professionals and individuals are also recognised by the Convention on the Rights of the Child as duty bearers in the fulfilment of children's rights." However, in Bangladesh, the concerned authorities hardly take care of the street children.
The United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights Office has identified several reasons for children dwelling on the streets. According to their findings, the main reason that drives the children to streets is poverty.  
 As these children never go to schools or get in touch with the civilisation, they can do anything for their survival. But the problem of street children in Bangladesh is not beyond solution. It could be solved if some rehabilitation centres were established for them. In developed countries street children are rehabilitated by the government and they are given proper education and vocational training.
The writer is a Researcher, South Asian Politics and Political Economy, Commercial Road, London E1 2JY, UK.
shakkhar@ourbsu.org.uk