STREET CHILDREN AND THEIR COMMUNITY

Millions of children are on the street in cities working as rag-pickers, hawking small goods, shining shoes, washing cars, involved in petty crimes, sniffing glue and other drugs. Some also drift into prostitution to make extra money and there are some who only steal and prostitute themselves. Many of them are found near bus stations, railway stations constantly exposed to various risks and become more vulnerable. Research aimed to explore the nature of children on the street and their relationship with society and its impact such as living conditions, basic needs, behavior of people and police, education and harassment. The results indicate that the main factors behind pushing children to the street are poverty, unemployment, orphaned and disability which leads these children towards terrorism and many other social evils. Such children are viewed negatively by the people and are considered a social burden which revealed that most of the children on the street face harassments, they were abused physically by police as well. It is also focused that the behavior of society towards street children is not positive, therefore. Street is the most dangerous and threatening place for the street connected children.

The 54 article of the convention set standards that address the neglect and abuse which children face in most countries to varying degrees every day. The convention recognizes their vulnerability and speaks to their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights as element of an independent or mutually reinforcing set provision. It was adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly and will be an important yardstick for the protection and treatment of children in nations.

The issue of poverty, bad governance, terrorism and sectarianism has diverted the attention of the government from providing basic needs to its people. Children on the street were enough proof of prevalent weak socio-economic and political system. Curbing street children is not a solution to the problem rather overcoming poverty and establishing a just socio-economic system that provides equal opportunities to all for survival and progress is the only solution to these problems.

There is no need of new law for children but implementation of current laws is needed, access to health should be equal to everyone and there should be special discounts for poor, education should be free for all and there should be some kind of refreshment and healthy activities at schools for children to attract them towards education, Government should create more opportunities of employment to meet financial constraints that forces children to work under severe condition.