ASIA/BANGLADESH - The tragedy of pothoshinsho, street children in Dhaka

Wednesday, 21 November 2012

Dhaka (Agenzia Fides) - The street children of Dhaka are known as Pothoshishu. The road is where they earn their living. In Bangladesh there are about 400 000. Almost half live in Dhaka, most girls are often exposed to abuse and exploitation. In a study published in March 2012 showed that the young children living on the streets 37.50%, sell flowers for a living, 18.80% are forced into prostitution; 6.25% work in the clothing industry; 12.50% begin working in the trade and 6.25% are street vendors. Nearly 45% of these children do not receive any health care facilities from the government or from clinics. In addition, 3 out of 10 have never been enrolled in any kind of school. Most of the women in the country are victims of violence, murder, abuse connected with the dowry and disfigurement with acid. For street children who spend childhood under the open sky of Dhaka these are everyday risks. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 21/11/2012)


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