Street Children
 Who are 'street children'?
The term 'street children' is hotly debated. Some say it is negative - that
it labels and stigmatises children. Others say it gives them an identity and
a sense of belonging. It can include a very wide range of children who: are
homeless; work on the streets but sleep at home; either do or do not have
family contact; work in open-air markets; live on the streets with their
families; live in day or night shelters; spend a lot of time in institutions
(e.g. prison). The term 'street children' is used because it is short and
widely understood. However, we must acknowledge the problems and wherever
possible we should ask the children what they think themselves. In reality,
street children defy such convenient generalisations because each child is
unique.
How many are there?
Nobody knows. Street children are not easy to count because: they move
around a lot, within and between cities; they are often excluded from
'statistic-friendly' infrastructures (schools, households etc.); definitions
of 'street children' are vague and differing. Numbers of 'street children'
have often been deliberately exaggerated and misquoted in order to
sensationalise and victimise these children. Street children have the right
to be accurately represented. City-level surveys conducted by local
organizations and supported by a clear definition are more reliable. In many
countries, there is anecdotal evidence that numbers are increasing, due to
uncontrolled urbanisation (linked to poverty), conflict and children being
orphaned by AIDS. Most statistics are just estimates e.g. Kenya: 250,000;
Ethiopia: 150,000; Zimbabwe: 12,000; Bangladesh: 445,226; Nepal: 30,000;
India: 11 million (these are based on broad definitions of 'street
children'). Regardless of the statistics, even one child on the streets is
too many if their rights are being violated.
What about girls?
"I have been a street girl since my father made a 'woman' of me. I carry on in the world but I am really dead" (17-year-old girl). In general there are
fewer girls than boys actually living on the streets (studies indicate
between 3% and 30% depending on the country). This is for several reasons.
In many cultures, there is much greater pressure for girls to stay at home
than boys. Research shows that girls will put up with abuse at home for
longer than boys but that once girls make the decision to leave home, the
rupture is more permanent than for boys. Girls are also less visible on the
streets as they are often forced or lured into brothels. Even though there
are fewer street-living girls than boys, they are extremely vulnerable to
human rights abuses both on the street and when they are arrested. However,
it is important to note that street boys are also at risk of sexual abuse
and exploitation as well as girls.
Where are their families?
Relatively few street children are actually orphans (although these numbers
are increasing in some countries due to AIDS). The majority of street
children are still in contact with their families and/or extended families.
Many of them work on the streets in order to contribute to their family's
income. Those who run away often do so because of physical, psychological
and/or sexual violence or abuse at home. Family breakdown is also common in
the case of re-marriage and problems with step-parents. Importantly, many
projects try to reunify street children with their families. However, this
is a complex and frustrating task that requires much specialised counselling
to address the root causes why the child ran away in the first place.
Unfortunately, in many cases, reunification with the family fails, or is not
in the best interests of the child. In these cases alternatives such as
fostering, group homes and residential centres are needed. Street children
are rarely alone, even if they have no family contact.
What about the authorities?
Ironically, street children are often at greatest risk of violence from
those that are responsible to protect them - the police and other
authorities. Police often beat,
harass, sexually assault and even torture street children. They may beat
children for their money or demand payment for protection, to avoid false
charges, or for release
from custody. They may seek out girls to demand sex. For many street
children, assaults and thefts by the police are a routine part of their
lives. Some are even killed by police. Very rarely are those responsible
brought to justice.
Victims, villains or heroes?
Many images and stories portray street children either as helpless victims,
dangerous criminals or heroic survivors. The reality is usually somewhere in
between. They show incredible resiliency and initiative in the face of
desperate circumstances. They have to be resourceful and strong in order to
survive. But some do not survive. Others can only do so by breaking the law.
We should respect their individual stories and characteristics. Each child
is unique.
Thank you to Consortium for Street Children for allowing us to use their data.
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