BSS :
Concerted efforts of all government, non-government and development organizations can be the crucial means of family and social reintegration of the street and other rootless children through their proper rehabilitations. Street children are subjected to various forms of repression and oppression by their surroundings and many of them become drug-addicted and involved in social crimes due to their vulnerable conditions. So, utmost emphasis should be given on rehabilitating them, so that they can be transformed into worthy citizens. Government officials and public representatives made the observation while addressing an advocacy conference 2024 titled “Protection and Rights of Disadvantaged Children” here on Thursday. On behalf of its ‘Alokito Shishu Project’, Caritas Rajshahi Region organized the conference at its conference hall supported by Caritas Germany. “Let Us Say Yes Together to Street Children” was the main slogan of the ceremony.
Around 650 children, including 320 girls, coming from 20 slums and other disadvantaged as well as underprivileged communities and families, are getting basic needs for their physical and mental development in the city.
With interventions of the project, they are being provided various services related to education, health, food security, nutrition, livelihood, psychosocial support and protection in Drop in Centre (DIC) and shelter facilities. Among the rehabilitated children, 65 joined the conference showcasing their arts, handicrafts and other best practices together with talking about their success stories driving out their respective grim pictures.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development and Human Resources) Tuktuk Talukder and Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services Hasina Momtaz addressed the meeting as the chief and special guests respectively, while Caritas Regional Director Devid Hembrom was in the chair.
Deputy Director of the Department of Narcotics Control Alamgir Hossain, Ward Councillors of Rajshahi City Corporation Muhammad Kamruzzaman and Towhidul Haque and Consultant of the project Lee Macqueen also spoke on the occasion.
They discussed and devised ways and means on how to make the public aware of the street children situation and rights.
Some of key-issues, including birth registration, safe shelter and their inclusion in the government safety net programme and increase in budget for them, were also discussed in the meeting.
In her remarks, Tuktuk Talukder said integrated efforts of all the relevant organisations can be the best way to rehabilitate the street children.
The government under the prudent and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been implementing various programmes for the rehabilitation of street children.
Side by side with the government efforts, the non- government organizations and the community as a whole should come forward and work together to attain the cherished goal of transforming the street children into worthy citizens.