Street Children in Islamabad

Abstract

The phenomenon of street children in Pakistan stances a composite challenge with alarming risk of social, physical and psychological problems as a consequence of homelessness and living life on streets. The quest for this study is to assess the factors contributing homelessness of street children. The socio-economic conditions of street children was also assessed in addition with the health predicaments faced by them. In order to conduct this research, qualitative research methods including in-depth interviewing, participant observation, case study method and focus group discussion were employed. Thirty street children from Barakahu slum area of age group 8-13 were selected as sample through purposive sampling technique. The findings of the research indicates several constituents of homelessness including economic, social and environmental factors. Street children have shifted to research area due to poor financial conditions, family disruption, natural hazards, death of parents and school violence. Moreover, they work for their subsistence or for their family. A few cases of forced begging was also found. Street children are involved in various daily wages occupations such as selling different items, car washing, waste picking and begging. They are socially unprotected as they face physical violence and sexual abuse from society being stigmatized. Street children are also vulnerable to many poor physical and psychological health outcomes based on their living conditions and dearth of health facilities.