The Context

In Bangladesh it is estimated that up to 29,000 children are victims of prostitution. Poverty, abuse by family members, and family breakdown are the main causes forcing children to flee from homes to the streets. Once there, they face harassment, malnutrition, and psychological and health problems ranging from substance abuse to sexually transmitted infections (STI). They survive by any means necessary, such as rag picking, begging, stealing, or, worst of all, as sex workers. Some of them are forced by ‘pimps’ and others resort to sex work after rape or sexual harassment. Child sex workers are marginalized, branded as outcasts by the community, and abused and exploited by ‘pimps’, street vendors, gangs and the police. Very few services are available to these children in Bangladesh.

The Project

The 5 year project being implemented by Aparajeyo Bangladesh and ChildHope aims to rehabilitate approximately 2,000 Commercially Sexually Exploited and Abused Children Children (CSEAC) in Dhaka and Chittagong. Girls, being particularly at risk, are being prioritised for protection services and particular efforts made to disengage them from sex work. In particular the project:

• Provides safety and support through a 24-hr child-friendly shelter offering basic healthcare, counselling, education, child-to-child support, family tracing social integration and follow-up services.
• Strengthens the capacities of the children themselves by enabling them to make informed decisions about their own lives to better their own circumstances through peer mentoring, involvement in children’s management councils, and marketable vocational training.
• Works with local communities, councils and organisations to raise awareness of the needs and rights of CSEAC.
• Recreational activities are also incorporated into the syllabus including music, drawing, dancing and other relevant activities.
• Participatory workshops on issues such as child rights, labour, gender and development are carried out with children.
• When appropriate children are assisted in being re-unified with their families. Where possible the project pays visits to the child’s home and acts as a mediator, and carries out thorough pre and post reunification checks.
• Training Peer Educators, on issues such as child rights, sexual abuse and exploitation. These mentors are informing other children about their rights and the risks associated with living and working on the streets.
• A ‘Children Development Bank’ has been developed and is being managed by children. The children themselves are encouraged to save money and open their own accounts.
  

Challenges and lessons learnt:

• High emphasis has been placed on building mutual trust, respect and self-discipline which has encouraged the children to feel that they belong to the centre.
• The project has modified the workshops it runs after consulting with children who requested workshops on issues such as HIV and AIDS prevention, keeping safe on the streets, substance abuse, and life skills.
• Aparajeyo believes that sports and recreation activities are not only a child’s right but provide youth with their own space, both physically and emotionally. This is especially important for girls who often have fewer opportunities than boys for social interaction.
• There is a severe lack of professionally qualified Social Workers and Counsellors in the country. As a result, a significant amount of time and effort had to be focused on building up the skills, knowledge and capacity of the project staff.
• One of the biggest difficulties of the project teachers in is dealing with highly mobile street children. Initially these children do not see education as a priority in life. Also many children attend classes under the influence of substances/drugs.
• It can be challenging to get children into formal schools due to lack of documentation such as birth certificates.
• Work with communities and stakeholders is constantly being disrupted due to the political situation, which means that at times approval has to be sought to conduct meeting gatherings or workshops.

Streets ahead video