KARACHI, July 12: Over 15,000 children are living on streets of the metropolis without adequate protection, and this situation demands coordinated efforts from all stakeholders to tackle the issue.

This was stated at a seminar on street children in Karachi, organised by Madadgar - children and women helpline service, says a statement on Wednesday.

The speakers were of the view that the drug mafia was using street children. It was pointed out that Karachi experienced a significant growth of street children in the recent decades.

This may be due to poverty, as well as limited employment opportunities in the city, they opined.

The speakers said that a majority of street children work and live on streets of Karachi and are thus vulnerable to become victim of violence, sexual abuse and exploitation.

It was pointed out that civil society organisations are trying to rehabilitate these youngsters. However, impact is not much visible due to enormous nature of the problem.

The participants deplored that drug mafia was using street children for committing crimes.

LHRLA President Zia Awan said that the Madadgaar provides appropriate service to children and women survivors of violence through more than 200 referral partners.

The organization, after realising that street children were one of the most neglected sections of the society, decided to work for ending or minimizing their miseries.

He said a majority of street children work and live on streets of Karachi, thus are vulnerable to violence, sexual abuse and exploitation.

Mr Awan said his organization was drafting a memorandum to coordinate with other bodies to do some collective effort for the betterment of street children and emphasized to develop centres or night shelters in those areas, where street children are more vulnerable and are living on streets in a critical situation.

Rana Asif, President Initiator, in his presentation said street children were unable to access government facilities or services, such as education and healthcare.

He further said that despite several child friendly statues, conventions and laws, children continue to suffer abuse and are sidelined from participating in matters that effect them.

Ms Rehana from PAVNH said they aim to improve knowledge of HIV transmission among school and street children in targeted areas of Karachi.

She said that street children were victim of neglect and exploitation, and are exposed to many dangers and critical diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B ,C.

Anwar Kazmi, representing the Edhi Foundation, offered his services to provide shelters to all DICs for the street children either in day or night.—APP/PPI