Embracing belonging: International Day for Street Children 2024

TANZANIA: TO jog your memory-the International Day for Street Children (IDSC), observed on April 12th each year, provides a platform to raise awareness on the challenges faced by millions of children worldwide who live and survive on the streets.

This year, the theme of the International Day for Street Children is “Belonging,” emphasising the fundamental right of every child to feel accepted, valued, and included in society.

In this article, we explore the significance of belonging for street children, the obstacles they encounter, and the collective efforts needed to ensure their rights and wellbeing.

Belonging is more than just having a place to call home; it encompasses a sense of acceptance, connection, and identity within a community.

For street children, the concept of belonging is often elusive, as they face stigma, discrimination, and marginalisation. Without a stable home or family structure, street children are deprived of the basic human need for belonging, leading to feelings of isolation and alienation.

Street-connected children must be afforded the same rights as all children and feel a sense of belonging and acceptance in their community.

As well as freedom from discrimination and violence this must also include, amongst other things, respect for their rights, beliefs and faith and being able to associate with other children on the street through their own networks.

They must be supported to participate in decisions which affect them through an active role in public life and be recognised and valued as a part of the community. Street children encounter numerous challenges that hinder their sense of belonging and overall well-being.

Lack of access to education, healthcare and social services perpetuates their vulnerability and exposes them to exploitation, abuse, and violence.

Moreover, societal attitudes and misconceptions contribute to their exclusion from mainstream society, further deepening their sense of disconnection and invisibility.

Among the things that should be done for street connected children is inclusion. Inclusion is key to addressing the needs of street children and fostering a sense of belonging.

Efforts to integrate street children into society must prioritise access to education, healthcare, shelter and social support services.

By providing opportunities for skill development, recreation, and participation in decisionmaking processes, communities can empower street children and validate their worth and potential. Street children need to be empowered with their communities, government agencies and civil society organisations.

Empowering street children involves recognising their agency and resilience in overcoming adversity. Collaborative initiatives involving government agencies, NGOs, civil society organisations, and communities are essential for creating supportive environments that nurture the growth and development of street children.

By amplifying their voices and advocating for their rights, we can create a more inclusive society where every child belongs.

Our communities should understand that, even street connected children have their success stories. Highlighting success stories of street children who have overcome obstacles and achieved their goals can inspire hope and promote positive change.

These stories showcase the transformative power of support, education, and community engagement in empowering street children to reclaim their sense of belonging and build brighter futures. In commemorating this international day for street children, the community, government agencies, civil society organisations, NGOs should consider the following messages:

•Every street-connected child should be able to feel a sense of belonging. A sense of belonging is a fundamental human experience, although the individual feelings and actions that create this will be different for everyone. While street-connected children often face unique barriers to their sense of belonging, the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual factors that foster this sense are common for everyone.

•‘Not belonging’ can have severe negative effects on a street-connected child. Rejection from a community can cause severe negative effects for a street connected child. These can include worsening physical and mental health, reduced ability to access education, healthcare, and other essential services, and exposing them to violence and abuse without an available support network or someone they can turn to.

•To best support them, we must take time to listen to and understand what gives street-connected children a sense of belonging. Communities should take action to improve street-connected children’s sense of belonging by encouraging dialogues between children and community members, including duty bearers. This can help to dispel misconceptions by highlighting common ways in which people feel as though they belong, which is important for any child, not just street-connected children.

•Children on the streets create their own support networks that must be respected. Although no child should have to rely on the streets to survive, it is a reality for tens of millions of children worldwide, and being connected to the streets often provides its own form of belonging. While working to provide more pathways off the streets, communities, NGOs and governments must also ensure these connections are respected.

•Legal ID can provide a vital first step in helping street-connected children feel that they belong. Lack of legal identification is a significant barrier for street-connected children in accessing support and services, as well as having an impact on their sense of identity, belonging and security.

On this International Day for Street Children, let us reaffirm our commitment to promoting belonging and inclusion for all children, regardless of their circumstances. By raising awareness, challenging stereotypes, and advocating for policy reforms, we can create a world where every child feels valued, respected, and included. Together, let us embrace belonging and ensure that no child is left behind on the streets.

As we commemorate the International Day for Street Children under the theme of “Belonging,” let us recognise the inherent dignity and rights of every child.

By fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion, we can create a more compassionate and equitable world where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Together, let us stand in solidarity with street children and work towards building a brighter future for all.