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Children’s rights – street children

Street Children

Worldwide there are millions of children forced to live on the streets. On the streets it is dangerous; there is little hygiene, violence, abuse and often the children do not have access to education or healthcare.

What are street children?

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Our children's peace prize winner for street children

''Street children need to be healthy, to be able to make their dreams come true.''

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Street children are children who depend on the streets to live and/or work, either on their own, or with other kids or family members. They have strong connections to public spaces e.g. streets, markets, parks, stations and they think of themselves as being part of the streets. This also includes children who do not live on the streets per se, but they regularly accompany other children/family members in the streets.

Did you know…

  • in the Philippines, 1 out of the 10 children does not receive any education;
  • 1 out of the 10 children is malnourished and 1 out of 3 suffers from growth retardation;
  • 40% of the urban population lives in conditions of extreme poverty;
  • children are always the first victims when in it comes to drugs, violence, rape and prostitution.

What does KidsRights do?

KidsRights works together with local partners to stand up for the rights of children through research, action and advocacy.

In 2012, Kesz Valdez from The Philippines won the International Children’s Peace Prize for his effort to stand up for the rights of street children. To support Kesz, KidsRights invests in projects related to street children in The Philippines.

KidsRights also published a report on this theme: Street Children Have Rights Too! Problems faced by street children globally and in the Philippines. This report gives an insight in the problems faced by street children globally and in The Philippines, and why their rights need protection.