Exploring the child protection situation of street children in Cox’s Bazar

Abstract

Street children, often invisible in bustling urban circumstances, represent an unfortunate reality molded by various socioeconomic conditions. Without adequate protection, these children become vulnerable to countless risks. Child protection is crucial for street children, as homelessness increases exposure to harm. Understanding their situation is morally imperative for establishing effective support systems. Focused on Cox's Bazar, a renowned, scenic tourist destination facing the Rohingya refugee crisis, this qualitative study investigates the child protection situation of young street children by adopting multi-methods. Through thematic analysis of informal conversations, in-depth interviews, key informant interactions, and observations from a total of 14 participants, the study unfolds the perceptions of street children aged 6-8, shedding light on their daily hardships, varied feelings, and diverse aspirations. The study inspects the child protection risks encountered by street children, covering violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect, hazardous environment, negative coping, and forthcoming concerns, and scrutinizes existing interventions and support mechanisms, underlining gaps and challenges in providing necessary services to them. Moreover, the findings seek to inform targeted interventions and policies and foster resourceful collaborations among stakeholders, and contribute valuable insights for policymakers, GOs, NGOs, and community-based organizations to enhance the child protection situation and well-being of street children in Cox's Bazar.