Street children are the most vulnerable section of our society. They live unimaginable lives, making do without basic needs such as shelter, food and safety. The situation of these children in our country is truly deplorable.
Keeping this in mind, the government has taken up the initiative to ensure better lives for street children by setting up rehabilitation centers in every district and upazila across the country. The initiative titled 'Street Children Rehabilitation Programme' under the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs is a bold new one in the history of Bangladesh.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has been running two rehabilitation centers for the homeless children at Kawran Bazar and Kamalapur and eight schools in the capital since 2016. Ministry officials urged other government organizations as well as non-government organizations to come forward to rehabilitate street children. Officials called for organizations and individuals to provide them mental, educational and vocational training so that they become self-dependant individuals.
The government has taken up the initiative to ensure
better lives for street children
by setting up rehabilitation centers in
every district and upazila across the country
Currently there are many homeless children living on the streets of Dhaka, Chittagong and other urbanized areas in the country. They live very dangerously in unsanitary conditions without any protection from predators and criminals.
They are losing out on their childhood as they have to earn a living at such a tender age. They have to fend for themselves as there is no one to look after them.
We applaud this initiative by the government to ensure a proper childhood for street children. The government must ensure that these children are safe from all types of exploitation.
NGOs and other organizations should follow in the government’s footsteps to establish more rehabilitation centers for street children. After all, children are the future of Bangladesh and if we can provide them with the right tools to succeed they can take the nation forward.
