The street children phenomenon a qualitative study on the legal status and plight of street children in Kenya
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Date
2013-06
Authors
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Publisher
Kampala International University; School of Law
Abstract
The rapidly growing numbers of street children is a new African problem that besides the ever present fear of unmanageable numbers however, there are many other equally compelling reasons for seeking sustainable solutions with which to respond to this problem. Notable among these are two international conventions - the World Declaration on Education for a111 and the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children2.Both of these conventions are directly applicable in this study, in the sense that they explicitly affirm the right of every child both to education as well as other basic needs. The search for appropriate responses to this relatively new, yet rapidly escalating phenomenon, has taken different forms and direction in different countries in the region. There are many a1ticles and reports on the street children of Kenya that provide valuable statistical data and generalized information regarding their life, circumstances and survival strategies. These studies are commissioned by various aid agencies in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth & Gender Affairs or private consultants. In most western-based recent published studies on children and childhood, the reports are concerned with social policies addressing family welfare, leisure, health and education. This is also reflected in specific Articles found in the Conventions of the Rights of the Child. Among issues, the Convention cites children's right to adequate shelter Right to live with their parents and in a family environment their rights to be protected from maltreatment by parents and others. Their right to play and to recreational opportunities, their right to the highest attainable standard of health 9 and even their right to a cultural identities While International Aid Agencies may try to accommodate some of the needs of street children like adequate shelter,
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of Degree of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) of the School of Law, Kampala International University Uganda
Keywords
Street children phenomenon, Legal status and plight of street children, Kenya