On the occasion of World Street Children’s Day 2026, the rights organization Nari Unnayan Shakti (NUS) convened a high-level discussion in Dhaka's Banasree on Sunday (April 120, calling on the government to move beyond temporary relief and implement systemic reforms.
The meeting, which brought together social activists and mothers of disadvantaged children, focused on the critical need for realistic national programs and dedicated budget allocations to protect the country's most vulnerable youth.
Dr. Afroja Parvin, Executive Director of NUS, presented a keynote paper revealing the staggering scale of the crisis. Current data indicates that approximately 3.4 million children in Bangladesh are living in "street situations," enduring lives defined by extreme uncertainty.
The report further highlighted that of the nearly 57 million children under the age of 18 in the country, a significant portion faces risks of poverty, violence, and exploitation, with roughly 11.3% already trapped in child labor.
Participants at the event detailed the multifaceted hardships these children face daily, ranging from the lack of safe housing and nutrition to the constant threat of physical and sexual abuse. Speakers also noted that without intervention, street children remain highly susceptible to drug addiction, criminal exploitation, and systemic social discrimination.
Dr. Sultan Muhammad Razzak emphasized that solving the issue requires long-term state planning rather than sporadic charity. Echoing this sentiment, Nusrat Sultana Afroj, Executive Chairperson of Young Women for Development, Rights and Climate, argued that specialized protection frameworks and skill-building initiatives are the only way to successfully reintegrate these children into mainstream society.
The discussion also featured insights from Lamia Hasan of Global Workforce Services, who stressed that vocational training and future employment opportunities are essential for a permanent solution. Shahanara Begum, an executive member of NUS, added that strengthening family-based support systems and raising social awareness are equally vital components of a national strategy.
To address these challenges, the assembly presented a formal list of demands to the government, including:
1. A significant increase in the national budget specifically earmarked for street children.
2. The adoption of an integrated, nationwide rehabilitation program.
3. Guaranteed free access to healthcare and quality education.
4. Robust enforcement of laws to eliminate child labor.
5. Expanded opportunities for vocational training and technical skill development.
The speakers concluded the meeting with a powerful reminder that street children should be viewed not as a societal burden, but as a potential human resource.
They asserted that with sincere political will and adequate financial backing, the lives of millions of children can be transformed, turning a national crisis into an opportunity for human development.
