Exploring Challenges Faced by Children Living in the Streets: A Human Rights Perspective. A Case of Chegutu CBD

Abstract

Street children in Chegutu, Zimbabwe are facing challenges such as rape, sexual abuse, abuse of alcohol, physical abuse and stigmatization. The main aim of this research study is to explore challenges faced by children living in the streets. The secondary aims of this study are to determine the major causes of street children in Chegutu, Zimbabwe, to assess their survival and coping mechanism in response to the problems they encounter and to evaluate solutions for challenges being faced by children living in the streets of the city of Chegutu. Despite challenges faced by children living in the streets in Chegutu, survival was made possible through personal and emotional strength, cultural values, religious beliefs, supportive peer relationships, and participation in sports activities. These protective, resilience resources should be strengthened in health promotion interventions with a focus on mental health, the prevention of violence, substance use, and daily physical activities that seems to provide meaning and hope. It is recommended that parents should be educated about street children emerging. There should be programs that can be designed used to identify and provide assistance to the families that are at risk should be made available. These programs should assist in stabilising at-risk families through education, and social and life skills and must also be used to train the families on job opportunities. Through these programs, parenting skills must be strengthened so that parents can be able to love, support and guide their children. They must also be taught about street children to enable them to accommodate them in their lives, treat them with respect and not discriminate against them.

Keywords: street children, CBD, challenges, cultural value, peer, Unicef, NGO