Today the world observes several international days and holidays but one that stands out the most is International Day for Street Children.

Each year on April 12, the International Day for Street Children is marked to raise awareness for children who are frequently left out of the statistics, the ones who are often left behind, the ones without a voice – the ones on the streets.

International Day of Street Children is significant in recognising the tens of millions of street children around the world who are strong and resilient. This day also honours street children’s humanity, dignity, and tenacity in the face of unfathomable suffering.

The day is also used to provide street children with medical care, education, and skills training for a better quality of life.

UNICEF defines street children as boys and girls under the age of 18 who have made ‘the street’ their home and/or their place of employment and who are not given enough protection or supervision. 

The organisation has also distinguished street children into three broad categories:

• Children working on the street
• Children who live on the street with families
• Abandoned or Orphan kids

According to the latest figures from the United Nations, approximately 150 million children may be homeless around the world.

Street children can be found in most of the world’s well-known cities, but the phenomenon is more common in highly populated metropolitan centres in developing or economically unstable regions, such as nations in Africa, South America, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia.

As you would imagine, these kids aren’t allowed to exercise many of their fundamental human rights. And that is why, today marks such an important day in the lives of children who lives on the streets.

In 1989 the United Nations organised a Convention on the Rights of the Child. It states that all children worldwide should have the following rights, the right to a secure, adoring, and nurturing environment; healthcare and nourishment; clean water and electricity; equal chances; and the right to live in dignity and freedom.

The significance of International Day for Street Children

Street children often do not have access basic needs of life such as education, health care, and prospects for a life of dignity. To lessen the perils that street children face, organisations like the Consortium for Street Children (CSC) are working to implement the Four Steps to Equality.

These actions include committing to equality, guarding every child, granting access to services, and coming up with fresh ideas.

The following are some additional key justifications for observing International Day for Street Children:

• It is one of those exceptional occurrences that draws attention to the suffering of street children and upholds their rights.

• The day seeks to create a world in which every child resides in a caring environment. It also attempts to guarantee the preservation of their human rights.

• The day offers a chance to remind people of the importance of even the smallest deeds of kindness. 

How is International Day for Street Children observed?

You can always start by showing some love or doing an act of kindness for a child that is on the street.

How do you do this? You can volunteer with several organisations that aid street children or impart skills to improve their living conditions. Contribution to the good cause can also be done by making a donation, organising a fundraiser, supporting a ministry, or helping to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by street children.

Also, various human rights organisations or NGOs across the world hold events like informational seminars, panel discussions, and fundraisers on the occasion of International Day for Street Children. These events aim to educate and aware society of the struggles and hardships of these unfortunate kids.

So, if you can give a helping hand to a street child today.