Street children face AIDS twice
May 10, 2006
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) defines a street child as “any girl or boy for whom the street (in the widest sense of the word, including unoccupied dwellings, wasteland, etc.) has become his or her abode and/or source of livelihood; and who is inadequately protected, supervised or directed b
By John Namara
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) defines a street child as “any girl or boy for whom the street (in the widest sense of the word, including unoccupied dwellings, wasteland, etc.) has become his or her abode and/or source of livelihood; and who is inadequately protected, supervised or directed by responsible adults.â€
Factors that contribute to the phenomenon of street children include family breakdown, physical and sexual abuse, severe poverty, armed conflict, famine, natural and man-made disasters, migration and urbanisation. UNICEF estimates that there are over 10,000 street children in Kampala, and 12,000 in major towns of Northern Uganda due to conflicts.
Sexual activity begins at an early age among street children (12 years) for girls, many of whom turn to prostitution as a means of survival. With their needs for affection and a sense of security, these children are easy prey for pimps, purveyors or traffickers.
The initial pattern of sexual exploitation of street children is one of an “exchange of sexual service†for protection and support within the community of street children.
According to a 1999 study by Friends of Children Association (FOCA), the incidence of sexual activity among street children increases with age, but the nature of that activity is also a function of their changing developmental and survival needs. At a younger age, sex with peers is more common than with adults and it is described in terms of pleasure, protection, or behavioural control by the peer group. Sexual activity with adults by girls and same sex partner by boys increases in incidence with age and it is in exchange for money, material objects or leisure resources. Street children of both sexes are at an increased risk of HIV infection but girls are by nature more exposed and consequently more vulnerable. Studies indicate that nearly half of the children in question engage in sexual activities while using alcohol or drugs.
FOCA’s experience with children under its care reveals that most street girls aged 16 years and above tend to have suffered high-levels of previous STDs while boys report low and inconsistent use of condoms.
AIDS is not only a hazard among street children engaging in prostitution, but it is now increasingly an important factor in the creation of street children. Studies attributed to ILO/IPEC in a number of settings in Uganda show that 75-80% of children in the category of “orphan†or “abandoned†point at AIDS as the main reason for being on the street. Most often the extended family structure did not accept them or failed to provide adequate care after the death of their parents. Sadly, while on the streets the children are also face the risk of contracting HIV. Thus AIDs affects them twice. It robs them of their parents and follows them to the streets.
FOCA, a local NGO formed in 1987, is the oldest organisation empowering and re-integrating street children with their local communities. FOCA has been partnering with a number of local and international organisations in providing vocational and life skills to these children to enable them access jobs or self-employment that make life on the streets less attractive. FOCA in partnership with International Solidarity Foundation (ISF), Finland, has seen hundreds of former street children into productive and meaningful life. Many are in the JUA-KALI or small scale metal craft ventures.
Over 1,000 former street children have graduated in vocational training since FOCA started in 1987. These children get training in, for example, metal fabrication works in places like Katwe and Kisenyi and get employment in the same places after training. By working there, they find life on the streets not worth it.
The writer is the Programme Manager of FOCA
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) defines a street child as “any girl or boy for whom the street (in the widest sense of the word, including unoccupied dwellings, wasteland, etc.) has become his or her abode and/or source of livelihood; and who is inadequately protected, supervised or directed by responsible adults.â€
Factors that contribute to the phenomenon of street children include family breakdown, physical and sexual abuse, severe poverty, armed conflict, famine, natural and man-made disasters, migration and urbanisation. UNICEF estimates that there are over 10,000 street children in Kampala, and 12,000 in major towns of Northern Uganda due to conflicts.
Sexual activity begins at an early age among street children (12 years) for girls, many of whom turn to prostitution as a means of survival. With their needs for affection and a sense of security, these children are easy prey for pimps, purveyors or traffickers.
The initial pattern of sexual exploitation of street children is one of an “exchange of sexual service†for protection and support within the community of street children.
According to a 1999 study by Friends of Children Association (FOCA), the incidence of sexual activity among street children increases with age, but the nature of that activity is also a function of their changing developmental and survival needs. At a younger age, sex with peers is more common than with adults and it is described in terms of pleasure, protection, or behavioural control by the peer group. Sexual activity with adults by girls and same sex partner by boys increases in incidence with age and it is in exchange for money, material objects or leisure resources. Street children of both sexes are at an increased risk of HIV infection but girls are by nature more exposed and consequently more vulnerable. Studies indicate that nearly half of the children in question engage in sexual activities while using alcohol or drugs.
FOCA’s experience with children under its care reveals that most street girls aged 16 years and above tend to have suffered high-levels of previous STDs while boys report low and inconsistent use of condoms.
AIDS is not only a hazard among street children engaging in prostitution, but it is now increasingly an important factor in the creation of street children. Studies attributed to ILO/IPEC in a number of settings in Uganda show that 75-80% of children in the category of “orphan†or “abandoned†point at AIDS as the main reason for being on the street. Most often the extended family structure did not accept them or failed to provide adequate care after the death of their parents. Sadly, while on the streets the children are also face the risk of contracting HIV. Thus AIDs affects them twice. It robs them of their parents and follows them to the streets.
FOCA, a local NGO formed in 1987, is the oldest organisation empowering and re-integrating street children with their local communities. FOCA has been partnering with a number of local and international organisations in providing vocational and life skills to these children to enable them access jobs or self-employment that make life on the streets less attractive. FOCA in partnership with International Solidarity Foundation (ISF), Finland, has seen hundreds of former street children into productive and meaningful life. Many are in the JUA-KALI or small scale metal craft ventures.
Over 1,000 former street children have graduated in vocational training since FOCA started in 1987. These children get training in, for example, metal fabrication works in places like Katwe and Kisenyi and get employment in the same places after training. By working there, they find life on the streets not worth it.
The writer is the Programme Manager of FOCA