Street children in Arab states, a growing phenomenon, study
Regional, Culture, 2/14/2002

A specialized study warned against the growing phenomenon of street children in the Arab states and stressed the importance of elaborating different programs, policies and laws to combat and prevent this phenomenon, reported the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA.

The study issued by the Arab council for children and development said that even though Arab governments understand the dangers of the growing phenomenon, they still depend on traditional institutional solutions. Traditional solutions include the establishment of orphans and juvenile care centers without giving any guidance programs nor providing quick care services for the children on the streets.

The study, conducted by Mohammed Sayed Fahmy, a professor at the higher institute for social service in Alexandria, explained that there are many active non-governmental organizations which try hard to develop certain mechanisms and to direct programs to combat the growing phenomenon.

The Arab council for children and development plays a significant role in its technical and financial aid to many of the care programs of street children in different Arab countries, the study added.

Street children create many problems including the increase of illiteracy and poverty, which are reflected on society as a whole. Street children are more prone to drug addiction and almost certainly become exposed to sexual abuse, the study showed. They are more susceptible to psychological illnesses and sexually transmitted diseases such as aids.

Arab societies became more affected by the international phenomenon due to the social, political and economic changes such as the increasing population, migration to cities in addition to natural disasters, civil wars and other conflicts. Also, children are driven to live on the streets due to weak family ties, child abuse, domestic violence, unemployment and child labor.

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