Development Enhancement & Effectiveness Partners - DEEP

As many as 1.5 million children in Pakistan are on the street and the country has not yet achieved 50 percent literacy ration even after 65 years of independence. The ratio of child labour and street children in Pakistan has increased against other countries in the region. "The government's lack of seriousness on the issue of child labour can be gauged from the fact that no data is available since 1996," As per unofficial statistics, there were 10.2 million children involved in child labour in Pakistan.

"The government has already declared education as a fundamental right of every individual under Article 25-A of the Constitution," and it was essential to sensitize people of the importance to the right to education. Urging the government to take immediate steps to increase the education ratio in the country, he said that under the 18th amendment, child rights fell under the domain of provinces.

"The government should increase the minimum age of employment under the Employment of Children Act, 1991, from 14 to 16 years, allowing children to avail their fundamental right to education. Furthermore, enforcement of policy and legislative initiatives at the grassroots level could be ensured by establishing a strong implementation regime. "The Employment of Children Act 1991 is not being enforced comprehensively, owing to inadequate administrative structure."

Problem statementAbout 1.2 million to 1.5 million children roam the streets of Pakistan, meaning that we have one of the largest street children populations in the world. There are an estimated 100 million street children in the world today, who are exposed to the worst kinds of labor and hardships.

A large portion of these children are ‘run away’, who are forced from their homes on to the streets because of poverty, corporal punishment, ignorance of families, step parents, peer pressure, natural disasters or militancy attacks. A big chunk of these children, shunned by society, also become a part of juvenile crimes, taking their misery as a misguided means to earn back their rights.

According to a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) survey, 72% of working children do not have contact with their families and 10% have no knowledge of their families. Statistics bode ill for this nation where more than 40% of the population is under 15, 48 million people live below the poverty line and earn less than US.00 a day. Nine out of 100 children die before they reach their first birthday. Half the population is illiterate.

"Street wise" as early as four, these children beg and scavenge around rubbish dumps or industrial waste sites or take on menial jobs as cart pushers or dish washers, working 12-15 hours a day to earn around 75 rupees or US.25- enough to buy a meal if they are fortunate. Most survive by prostituting themselves, stealing or smuggling, making them vulnerable to contracting sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Jaundice and liver or kidney disorders. A large proportion sniffs cheap, readily available solvents to starve off hunger, loneliness and fear.

Child 'rental' for begging is a new and increasingly popular phenomenon among poor households. Parents 'rent' their children out to an individual or group and both parties share the child's earnings. The inhumane treatment drives children to drugs and into the arms of criminal gangs who promise protection, food and a better life.

Situation of Street Children in Lahore & Rawalpindi-Islamabad

The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and Lahore are becoming multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural areas as people all over Pakistan and a great number of Afghan Refugees having diverse ethnic backgrounds reside in these cities and in adjoining areas as well. The great volume of people has impacted the very core of these cities and problem are mounting adding fuel to the fire is the lack of adequate opportunities for social development and other aspects. Different crisis have played vital role in keeping the majority of the people under poverty line and children are the major victims of these tragedies.

Most street children came from large families which had recently moved to the city in search of economic opportunities. Their parents have low education levels and are either unemployed or employed in unskilled occupations. Poverty clearly is an important factor. The majority of the children moved to the street to augment family income. Most of the children were males (81%) and the average age at beginning life on the street is under 10 years. The majority is working 8-12 h daily with an average income of Rs. 40-60 per day. Important issues were parental exploitation, police harassment, abuse, and the impact of other street peers in their lives.

DEEP Intiative for Street Children

Having conducted need assessment in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Lahore, DEEP plans to start Street children Protection and Rehabilitation Program initially in 3 cities. Later on assessing the success indicators it will be implemented in other areas as well. 

For this purpose DEEP Invites all the civiil society organizations, government departments, media and corporate sector to join hands to save the vulnerable children from physical, mental, sexual and social violence.