The International Day for Street Children (IDSC) is annually observed across the world on April 12 to raise awareness about the challenges faced by millions of children living on the streets globally. The observance of IDSC is led by London (the United Kingdom, UK)-based Consortium for Street Children (CSC).
- Each year the CSC decides on theme for IDSC to promote the needs of street children globally.
- Theme of IDSC 2025 is ‘Participation’.
Background:
i.The 1st ever IDSC was observed on April 12, 2011, launched by CSC, a global network of organisations working to promote and protect the rights of street-connect children.
- Since 2012, the Day has been celebrated globally to acknowledge the humanity, dignity, and defiance exhibited by street children in the face of trouble.
ii.The day 12th April marks the anniversary of the 1st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Children in 1955. This assembly recognised the rights and needs of the children worldwide and urged the governments to take necessary actions to protect them.
About Street Children:
i.New York (the United States of America, USA)-based United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has classified street children into 3 main categories: children working on the street, children whose families are on the street, and children who have eloped from their families and living on the streets.
ii.As per UNICEF estimates, up to 150 million children around the world live on the streets.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC):
i.In 1989, the world leaders made a historic commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), an international agreement on childhood.
ii.The convention came into force on September 02, 1990. It defines a person under the age of 18 as a child.
iii.It became the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history and has helped to transform the lives of children around the world.
iv.It defines who children are and all their rights, as well as responsibilities of governments.
Campaign for Equality:
i.Since 2018, CSC’s global advocacy campaign known as ‘The 4 steps to Equality’ has provided a framework for governments to ensure that street children can access all their rights under the CRC.
ii.The 4 Steps to Equality urges governments to implement the UN General Comment No. 21 on Children in Street Situations completely, ensuring equality and protection for street-connected children.
iii.The 4 steps to Equality are:
- Commit to Equality
- Protect Every Child
- Provide Access to Services
- Create Specialised Solutions
Some Integrated Programs for Street Children by GoI:
i.Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) launched in the year 2009-10 by the Government of India (GoI).
- It is a centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) umbrella scheme under which various sub-schemes for children in need of care and protection, and children in conflict with law are covered.
ii.Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY) launched on 2nd October 1997 with primary objective of improving the socio-economic status of girl-child.
- The scheme covers maximum two girls’ children born on or after August 15, 1997 in a family living Below Poverty Line (BPL) as defined by GoI.
- The scheme provides one time grant of Rs 500 to mother of the girl child born in BPL.
About Consortium for Street Children (CSC):
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Pia MacRae
Headquarters- London, the United Kingdom (UK)
Founded- 1993
