Street Children’s Activists Network (SCAN), a network of individuals and organizations working with street children has been demanding to establish a separate department for children and free birth registration of street children for a long time.
Country Coordinator of Kindernothilfe (KNH) Germany, Maruf Momtaz Rumi in this regard said that “we have to work with Street Children’s Activists Network (SCAN) for a long time through various projects of Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM). From the beginning of this year, we along with various other organizations started a campaign for birth registration of street children. Deputy Speaker Advocate Fazle Rabbi Mia, MP gave his full support for the campaign. But due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the campaign could not be conducted in a big way. Through our project, we are continuously supporting the street children with various health and awareness programs during the pandemic.”
In this regard, Country Director of Good Neighbors Bangladesh, M. Mainuddin Mainul said that Good Neighbors Bangladesh is working for the deprived children for a long time. “One of our main focuses is to promote and protect child rights. We also have the same demand as SCAN and have moral support with the organization. I thank the government to take the matter seriously and to adopt a plan to establish a children’s department and hope that immediate steps will be taken regarding the matter”.
Prominent child rights activist, Abdullah Al Mamun, said that “this is our demand for a long time and I thank the government to take the matter seriously and hoped that the government will implement the necessary steps soon”.
President of Street Children’s Activists Network (SCAN), Jahangir Hossain said that since 2014, SCAN has been demanding the establishment of a separate department for the protection and development of street children and for about 40% of children. “Recently we demanded that the Department of Children’s activities is fully started by recruiting adequate manpower as soon as possible and that separate desks be set up for conducting, monitoring and coordinating street children’s activities. In the National Budget 2020-2021, Finance Minister AHM Mostafa Kamal mentioned that he would adopt a plan to establish a children’s department, for that, I thank the government”. He also hoped that the government will take the matter seriously and implement the necessary steps as soon as possible. He also added that in order to determine the number of street children, it is necessary to take the initiative in conducting the survey and start activities of the survey information. He also demanded to increases the scope of rehabilitation activities for street children conducted under the Children Affairs and to ensure free birth registration for street children including disadvantaged children. Manager, Policy Advocacy of Educo Bangladesh, Halima Akhter, said that “Educo Bangladesh is working for the underprivileged children and street children for a long time. We are working on the children’s education, skill development and awareness-raising. Street children are the most vulnerable and they need a place to stay and be safe. So we hope the government takes the matter seriously and takes the necessary steps soon. During the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we are regularly monitoring the children whom we can reach and conducting awareness activities.
We also provided food, cash, and health equipment among the children during the ongoing pandemic”.It is to be noted that a SCAN is working with coordination of 72 NGOs, CBOs, volunteers and professionals in Bangladesh. Former Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, MP, Deputy Speaker Advocate Fazle Rabbi Mia, MP, President of the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights Shamsul Haque Tuku MP and Children’s Rights National and international organizations working in Bangladesh for security declared solidarity with the demands of Scan Bangladesh along with others child rights networks.
