KARACHI: 12,000 street children living in Karachi, say experts
KARACHI, March 22: A strong focus on initiating targeted intervention to facilitate behavioural change among vulnerable children, with particular reference to street children and scavengers, was stressed at a seminar organized by the Pakistan Voluntary Health and Nutrition Association here on Wednesday.
The seminar was aimed at sharing the experiences in inculcating compulsory life skills among street children with focus on decision making, health and hygiene, negotiation skills, self-esteem, and HIV/ Aids prevention.
The speakers mentioned that out of total 70,000 street children in the country, 12,000 lived in Karachi. They cited poverty as the major factor compelling children to live in streets.
Dr Aila Tahir in her presentation stated that 56 per cent of all street kids were found to have run away from their home due to domestic violence, 22 per cent due to hostile behaviour of their parents and 12 per cent due to parents’ drug addiction. These children emerged at high risk of getting inflicted with serious health conditions including HIV/Aids, the researcher said while referring to their vulnerability and inability to resist overtures.
She said that poor nutritional status and weak immunity compounded due to indulgence in addiction (commonly glue sniffing) and direct contact to hazardous material exposed them to opportunistic infections.
Referring to a recently conducted study, Dr Aila mentioned that 63.4 per cent of street children in Karachi were sexually abused and a large number of them were more exposed to critical diseases as HIV/Aids, Hepatitis B and C as well as other sexually transmitted infections.
Sindh Social Welfare Secretary Mehtab Akbar Rashdi underscored the need for close coordination between private and public sectors to address the issues directly linked to the well-being of people particularly children.
Maintaining that those blessed with fortune must realize their responsibility towards the have-nots, she said that concerted efforts were required to prevent the spread of a wide range of diseases and infections through education and creation of an environment where the weaker segments were not left at the disposal of unscrupulous elements.
PAVHNA President Afsheen Ahmed said that the NGO sector was very much part of the government programme to prevent HIV/Aids from becoming an epidemic.
A stall displaying products made of waste material collected by street children drew significant attention of the seminar participants. Zar Gul, John, Khan Mohammad, Shehzad and Arnold (all aged between eight and 12 years) visiting the Drop-in Centre of Malir briefed the audience about the mode of preparing items on display.—APP
