Child day concentrates on street children
Child day concentrates on street children
BY DEBORAH NYANGULU 06:25:05 - 15 May 2006
This year’s International Day of the Child, which falls on June 16, would concentrate on the street kid, Minister of Gender, Child Welfare and Community Services Joyce Banda has said. Banda made the revelation last week when she lunched with street kids supported by a Farmer’s World feeding programme under the Support the Child initiative.
The Gender Minister said street kids face a lot of hardships but get very little help because they are only deemed as street criminals. A young girl who spoke on behalf of the street kids at the luncheon complained that life on the street was hard and they are exposed to sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/Aids.
“Shop watchmen offer us a place to sleep in exchange of sex and protection. We cannot say no because we need the shop verandah to sleep on as it is cold,” she said.
Banda said reports of such horrible demands by watchmen had already reached her office. She added that an impeccable source told her street kids are being trafficked, some are joining gangs while girls are being used as sex workers in drinking places and brothels. Banda said enforcing laws and strengthening the campaign against child abuse would help solve the problem. The Gender Minister stressed that she intends to make this year’s child day a special one for street kids so that their worth in society is recognised.
