Lives of street-connected children in Bangladesh

Abstract

Street connected children, children who live/or spend time on the streets, are a vulnerable group of considerable concern. The aim of this study is to gain a detail understanding about lives of children living and working in the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh, to help develop an effective and informed intervention that can contribute to improved outcomes for this vulnerable group. In order to understand the overall situation and structural violence in which street connected children spend their lives, the study explored their (children) reasons for street migration, primary livelihood, daily struggles, vulnerabilities and other issues which are distinctively associated with street connected children. The study indicates a range of “push” and “pull” factors leading and keeping the children on the street. It also includes a detail analysis of the dimensions of challenges and risks experienced by children living in the streets and the meaning and significance of a shelter to them as well as the factors that draw and prevent them from joining street children shelter.