The Urgency of Strengthening Childhood Safety and Creating Resilient Communities through Integrated Strategic Thinking, Planning, Programming, and Financing

Bangladesh—A Case in Point

Ruhi (pseudonym), a street-connected child, has received services from a non-governmental organization-operated Drop-In Centre (DIC) since 2015. She entered into three marriages at the ages of thirteen, fourteen, and sixteen. Due to her spouse's substance abuse and lack of employment, she sought refuge and sustenance at the DIC. Her parents have also experienced multiple marriages. Following her pregnancy and the subsequent loss of her child to pneumonia, her visits to the DIC diminished; however, she continues to reach out occasionally for assistance. Regrettably, many young girls endure similar hardships while living on the streets of Dhaka.

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is home to millions of rural migrants driven to the city by a combination of economic and climate-related factors. The majority of these migrants reside in slum areas, which accommodate approximately 3.5 million individuals—representing 40 percent of the city’s total population. Among Bangladesh's estimated seven hundred thousand street children, approximately two hundred fifty thousand reside in Dhaka (The Business Standard, Oct 2019). The ongoing migration to urban areas in Bangladesh is anticipated to persist. Most of the country is situated less than 20 feet above sea level. According to projections by Cities Alliance, by the end of the century, over 25 percent of the nation's land may be submerged, resulting in the displacement of approximately 15 million individuals. 

Climate Disasters and Displacement

In the context of Bangladesh's Old Brahmaputra River, which includes the Mymensingh district and parts of Tangail, Jamalpur, Sherpur, and Netrokona districts, internal displacement is a significant issue exacerbated by riverbank erosion and flooding. The destruction of housing due to environmental factors compels families with children to relocate to safer areas within the districts or Dhaka city in search of stable income opportunities. This phenomenon cannot be solely attributed to climate change and the intensification of flooding; it is also compounded by indiscriminate sand mining activities occurring in the river, as evidenced by local testimonies and news reports.

Displaced and Unacknowledged: 'The Rights of Children'

After relocating to urban areas for refuge—mainly when driven by disasters or social distress—these children leave behind their familiar surroundings and face the stark reality of working in cities without recognized rights. Homelessness drives them to streets, residing in railway stations, wharves, bus terminals, mosques, police station vicinity, and other public spaces. Consequently, they drop out of school and seek employment to support themselves and their families, leading them into street vending activities and selling items such as balloons, water, and other small goods. In Dhaka particularly, a considerable number of street and homeless adolescents face the reality and likelihood of early pregnancy. Orphaned children, as well as offspring from polygamous marriages, survive amidst dire poverty and food insufficiency, pushing them into child labour, sex work, substance abuse, physical maltreatment, delinquent behaviors, early marriages, and pregnancies that culminate in divorces or separations. These children, often devoid of familial support and parental care, typically lack official birth registration, primarily due to the absence of their biological parents or insufficient documentation, among other factors that complicate the process of birth registration, denying them all their rights.

For instance, in government schools, students beyond the fifth grade must present birth certificates to continue their education through the twelfth grade and access social safety net and welfare entitlements. Upon reaching 18, individuals must provide a 17-digit Bangladeshi Birth Certificate to obtain a National Identity Card (NID). Although private schools do not mandate the submission of birth certificates for enrollment, the associated costs often render attendance impractical for many families. Despite the challenges posed by widespread poverty and limited guidance, many young girls aspire to pursue educational and vocational opportunities in fields such as teaching, medicine, social work, and others to assist the underprivileged and contribute to the advancement of their nation.

Civil Unrest and Child Protection Issues
After the outbreak of civil disobedience in Bangladesh in July 2024, at least 14 girls who were members of an NGO-supported child club were married off within a week. This was due to their inability to continue participating in income-generating activities to support their families and their families’ inability to ensure their safety and security or provide for them. The cost of rented housing in these urban slums can range from 4,000 to 5,000 Bangladeshi Taka, with additional utility expenses reaching a minimum of 2,000 Taka. Between July 2024 and January 2025, the inflation rate decreased from 11.38% to 9.94%. However, following the period of political instability, the challenges associated with insecurity and living conditions have significantly intensified for the displaced communities.

Insufficient Legal Safeguards and Lack of Recognition
Despite Bangladesh's efforts through the

National Children Policy of 2011 and the Children Act of 2013, which align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the existing provisions remain insufficient when considering the significant population of families and children living on the streets. Current legal frameworks do not specifically address the challenges faced by street-dwelling children, resulting in substantial gaps in the provision of adequate care. Although there are a limited number of targeted programs aimed at supporting vulnerable children, these initiatives frequently overlook the needs of orphans and those associated with street life, thereby impeding their access to essential support services. The Children Act of 2013 primarily focuses on children who conflict with the law rather than those who require care and protection. Consequently, numerous orphans, survivors of abuse, and children born from unplanned teenage pregnancies remain without the necessary support to reconstruct their lives and secure their futures. This lack of support is exacerbated by the stigmatization of street-connected children and the societal aversion towards these individuals.

Need for Cohesive Strategy Integrating Climate, Disaster Resilience, and Child Rights
This situation highlights the imperative for an integrated and cohesive strategy encompassing thinking, planning, programming, and financing. Such an approach is essential to ensure that disaster risk reduction measures, climate resilience initiatives, and developmental strategies operate synergistically. This integration is crucial to protect the childhood and dignity of vulnerable and marginalized populations in regions and countries that disproportionately face significant challenges while possessing limited resources to rebuild their lives, extending beyond mere physical infrastructure considerations.

Multifaceted problems necessitate multi-sectoral solutions primarily led by the Government, with support from NGOs and other stakeholders, to ensure child rights and protection. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) provide essential services to vulnerable children, including education, healthcare, shelter, and legal assistance. However, developing sustainable solutions is contingent upon political commitment and acknowledging these children’s needs. It is crucial to address the potential risk of children becoming homeless due to disasters and distress, ensuring they are incorporated into policy frameworks. Furthermore, implementing legal protections, specialized programs, and appropriate budget allocations requires comprehensive data regarding street children in the country. Identifying and recording the street-connected child population is crucial to securing and promoting child rights in Bangladesh, marking the first step towards transformative change for the country's children.

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Photo credits:-

Picture 1: UNICEF

Picture 2: the author's original

Picture 3: The Business Standard