Nearly 20 lakh children live on India’s streets with their chances of surviving, learning and thriving extremely bleak, thereby making them one of the most vulnerable sections of society.
We see them knocking at our car windows, selling books at a traffic signal or working at a local eatery. Sometimes, we offer them food, sometimes money and very often we turn the other way, making them invisible. They often do not even find space in government surveys and the census.
Save the Children has committed to Making #TheInvsibles Visible by shining light on the issue and impacting lives of children who live and work on the streets. In this journey we have had support from a variety of stakeholders from government to the public who chose to be on the right side of change. As a part of this effort, Save The Children India has also partnered with Youth Ki Awaaz for a digital campaign to engage young people in conver-sation around the need for visibilising children in street situations. The campaign has drawn engagement from lakhs of young people to date, and has been running as a long- standing partnership between the two organisations for over five years now.
In a first ever, Save the Children in partnership with NCPCR and Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the SOP for Care and Protection of Children in Street Situation in February 2017, making it the first big win.
Between April 2018 and now, Save the Children successfully implemented an initiative to provide identity documents to 2 lakh children living in street situations and linking them with social security schemes for education, health, financial inclusion and skill building.
The Survey
The youth of our country are key stakeholders in shaping public consciousness and bringing about change. Save the Children and Youth Ki Awaaz came together to run a social media awareness campaign for children in street situations to mobilise action by the young for the cause.
As a part of the campaign, Save the Children and YKA launched a survey using Pivot,YKA’s proprietary digital perception mapping tool, to understand young people’s attitudes, percep- tions and common behaviours towards children on the streets in the country. The survey aimed to focus on attesting knowledge of the respondents on coming across children on the street, the conditions they live in, their rights, and access to health and education. The survey also aimed to assess the role of policy and decision makers as well as social interventions to ensure the rights of children in street situations.
Profile Of Participants
A total number of 6429 people from across India took the survey which was conducted in two languages – English & Hindi
Key Findings
Nearly 80% of the respondents said they came across children in street situations more than 2-3 times a week with 39.74% crossed paths with them on a daily basis.
33.11% were aware that there are close to 20 lakh children in street situations across the country.
61.58% said that they had witnessed children in street situations begging on the streets and 14.8% said they had seen them working in tea stalls, eater- ies, shops, etc.
38.26% said that they offered children in street situations food when they approached them and 33.06% said they wanted to help #TheInvisibles engaged in labour but did not know how to.
Majority of them said they felt sad and helpless when they came across children in street situations and only 0.02% felt negative emotions such as anger.
60% said they had not come across any social media campaign or conversations around the rights or issues of children in street situations
Over 75% of respondents felt there was not enough discussion among policymakers around the issue, and 35% felt there exists no helpline created by the government to support children in street situations.
Finally, 86.63% said they we willing to advocate for the cause and 56.55% said they were willing to make a donation or bear a tax cut for the benefit of children in street situations.
The majority of the survey respondents were between the age group of 18-24 years or the youth.The survey results indicate that they are largely aware of the issues faced by children in street situations and are willing to act on addressing them but they do not have enough information on the ways to help.
Awareness
How often do you come across children in street situations?
What we found
When respondents were asked if they come across children living on the streets, of the total number of respondents, 39.7% said that they came across children in street situations on a daily basis.This was very closely followed by the 38.2% respondents who said that they usually come across these children 2-3 times a week. 15.6% respondents said that they have rarely crossed paths with #TheInvisibles.
English Survey: Close to half of the respondents, 1921, said that they see children in street situations 2-3 times a week, 1866 said they see them on a daily basis.
Hindi Survey: 689 respondents find children in street situations on a daily basis followed by 536 respondents who see them 2-3 times a week.
What does it say?
The difference between respondents from the English and Hindi survey could be because some respondents might be commuting quite early on during the day and more through public buses or auto rickshaws-also covering a longer or larger distance as opposed to others who may be commuting a little later during the day and through metro or taxis/personal cars.
Do you know how many children in India live in street situations?
What we found
33.1% respondents estimated the number to be approximately 20 lakhs. However, 23.7% respondents mentioned that they did not have any idea on the number of children in street situations.This number was very closely followed by 21.2% respondents who said they have never really given this number a thought.
English Survey: 1680 think the number is approximately 20 lakhs, followed by 975 respondents who have never given this number a thought and 943 respondents do not have any idea on the number.
Hindi Survey: Trends in the Hindi survey were quite the opposite where 582 respondents mentioned that they do not know the number, followed by 449 respondents who think the number of children in street situations is approximately 20 lakh and 392 respondents have never really thought about this number at length.
What does it say?
An analysis of responses from both surveys highlights that people are fairly aware of children in street situations.
Why do you think lakhs of children live on the streets in India?
What we found
44% felt that the primary reason was families migrating to cities and living in poverty due to lack of access to resources. For 43% of respondents, the begging industry forces the children to be on the roads and 40% respondents were of the opinion that due to the massive population in the country many children live in vulnerable conditions. 35% respondents also felt that the increasing number was a result of no available helpline number provided for these children from the government.
English Survey: A majority, 2574, felt that the primary reason is families migrating to cities and living in poverty due to lack of access to resources. 2348 felt that the begging industry forces them to be on the road. 2172 were of the opinion that due to the massive population in the country many children live in vulnerable conditions. 1794 felt that the government has not provided any help- line or support for children and around 1593 felt that either conflict, abuse or violence in the family forces children to run away at a young age.
Hindi Survey: Only 290 respondents felt that the primary reason is families migrating to cities and living in poverty due to lack of access to resources. 453 respondents in Hindi feel that the begging industry forces them to be on the road, and 404 in Hindi are of the opinion that due to the massive population in the country many children live in vulnerable conditions. Around 456 felt that the government has not provided any helpline or support for children and 191 felt that either conflict, abuse or violence in the family forces children to run away at a young age.
What does it say?
While all the above stated reasons can push children to the streets, reasons such as financial independence, adventure, city life and relationships also play a key role in this move. It is often a combination of push and pull factors that keep children in street situations connected to the streets. Hence the findings say that although people are not unaware, they have not found enough reason to delve deep into analysing the issues or the complexities of the circumstances that are faced by #TheInvisibles.
What activities or occupations do you think children in street situations engage in?
What we found
A vast majority of respondents (61.5%) said they found children begging on the roads.Around 19.7% respondents said they have witnessed children living and play- ing on footpaths/pavements.
English Survey: 2969 the majority of the respondents found children begging on the roads, and 1033 have seen the children living and playing on footpaths/pavements.The survey also highlights that 587 have seen these children as child labourers.
Hindi Survey: 990 the majority of the respondents found children begging on the roads, and 237 respondents in Hindi have seen the children living and playing on footpaths/pavements. According to the survey, 325 respondents have also seen these children as child labourers.
What does it say?
Data from the survey suggests that respondents have thoroughly observed #TheIn- visibles. Families of these children or the children themselves indulge in begging as a form of earning for themselves especially when they are affected by diseases or are physically handicapped-forcing them to beg
Have you come across any social media campaigns or conversations on the rights of children in street situations?
What we found
The survey highlights that almost 60% of the respondents have not come across any conversations or campaigns on social media talking about the rights of children living on the streets in India. Only 30.2% respondents have come across such campaigns or conversations on social media.Whereas 10.2% respondents are not sure or do not know if such campaigns or conversations have taken place on social media.
What does it say?
The findings indicate the lack of initiatives to create awareness and conversa- tions around the issue on the rights of #THEINIVISIBLES.
Action
The attitudes of the respondents, their usual behaviour and the actions they are willing to take for children in street situations
What or how do you feel when you come across a child (under 18 years) working at a shop?
What we found
The survey mapped key emotions respondents feel or have felt when they’ve seen a 14-15 year old child working at a shop or eatery. 30.8% respondents felt sad to see them whereas, 29.1% survey-takers felt helpless.While 18.4% and 14.5% respondents respectively felt sympathetic and empathetic towards children begging on the streets.
English Survey: 35% respondents from the English survey felt helpless and 29% respondents felt sad.While 13% felt sympathetic.
Hindi Survey: 34% respondents felt helpless 31% respondents felt sympathet- ic and 18% respondents in Hindi felt empathetic towards the children on the streets.
What does it say?
The primary cause for the respondents to feel sympathetic, empathetic or help- less is the unavailability of appropriate information on measures to support these children. Having adequate knowledge and information will perhaps equip them to act on these emotions.
How do you react when you find a child (under 18 years of age) working in a shop?
What we found
An overwhelming 33.07% of respondents said that they would love to help the children out but did not know how to and 31.09% feel that instead of being forced into begging at least the children were working and were better off.
Whereas only 6.02% respondents said they have reached out to child helpline services and 0.50% informed the police.
English Survey: 1975 said that they would love to help the children out but did not know how to. 1400 respondents felt that instead of being forced into begging at least the children were working and were better off. 599 respondents felt no need to take any action. Out of the total number of respondents only 153 respondents called childcare services, while 19 respondents called the police.
Hindi Survey: 599 respondents felt that instead of being forced into begging at least the children were working and were perceived to be better off. 419 respondents felt no need to take any action. 234 respondents called childcare services. Only 151 respondents said that they would love to help the children out but did not know how to and 13 called the police.
Wha does it say?
Survey results tapped respondents’ first response on seeing a child working at an eatery or shop.While respondents want to willingly help, they lack basic awareness of the helpline numbers and welfare services for children.Therefore, only a very few people reached out to the local police for help.
What action do you take when you come across children in street situations?
What we found
38.2% respondents said they had offered food to the children and 27.3% respon- dents offered loose cash or change on being approached by children in street situations. In contrast 18.9% respondents asked the children why they were not in school. 9.7% respondents said they preferred to ignore these children.
English Survey: A majority of the respondents- 28% offered loose cash or change when approached by children in street situations. 25% respondents offered the children food. 16% respondents said they were inquisitive and asked the children why they were not in school.
Hindi Survey: A majority of the respondents- 33% offered them food. 25% offered loose cash or change and 25% respondents were inquisitive and asked the children why they are not in school.
What does it say?
While respondents feel offering money to children in street situations could be useful for them to procure food or other basic amenities, it is also thought possible that these children instead purchase tobacco, drugs and alcohol since they are easily exposed to these substances, owing to the absence of basic care and protection. It is assumed that #TheInvisibles spend a large part of their earnings on these substances.
Do you talk to children in street situations? Tell us more
What we found
27.4% asked them about their education and 21.1% asked the children about their family and their background as well.Whereas 17.9% respondents were of the opinion that since talking to children in street situations does not help, they do not inter- act with them.
English Survey: 1151 respondents said they thought talking does not help and hence have never interacted with children in street situations. 1132 respondents asked the children about their education. 934 asked about their family and background whereas 768 asked them their names.
Hindi Survey: A majority of the respondents, 634 asked them about their education and which school and class they are in .423 in Hindi asked the children about their family and background whereas the number of respondents who said they asked the kids their names were 251.
What does it say?
The respondents largely spoke to the children in street situations and were concerned about their rights to education and protection. However a significant number chose to not talk as they did not see any reason for it.
Do you think there is significant policy dialogue on the rights of children in street situations?
What we found
What does it say?
76.5% are of the opinion that policy makers in India do not talk about the condi- tions and rights of children in street situations. However, 15.01% of the respondents were not sure if such conversations or discussions were initiated by policy makers in the past and an 8.4% feel that they have heard policy makers discussing this issue.
What does it say?
The stark number of respondents replying in the negative clearly indicates a gap and calls for more active discussions on the conditions and rights of children in street situations.
What is your opinion on the need to demand for more inclusive policies and state accountability towards children in street situations?
Will you be willing to act?
What we found
A majority of the respondents, 86%, said that they would be willing to build pressure on the Government to include the rights of children in street situations in their agenda and 76% respondents believed that there have not been enough conver- sations by policymakers about the rights and conditions of these children.
English Survey: 85% said that they would be willing to build pressure on the Government. 70% of the respondents said that there have not been enough conversations by policymakers.
Hindi Survey: 90% said that they would be willing to build pressure on the Government.Whereas a majority of the respondents, 92% believe that there have not been enough conversations by policymakers about the rights and conditions of children in street situations.
What does it say?
Data from the survey indicates that there is an urgent need for the government to make modifications to the already existing framework and programmes for the benefit of children in street situations and also introduce and popularise new schemes and services for them.
Will you be willing to bear a tax deduction or donate for the welfare of the children in street situations?
What we found
Interestingly the survey data displays that 56.5% respondents are willing to pay a tax cut or donate for the wellbeing of children in street situations. On the other hand, 34.1% are not sure if they want to pay an additional tax or donate to child welfare funds.
English Survey: 2614, a majority of the respondents said they were willing to pay a tax cut or donate for the wellbeing of children in street situations. But, 2121 said they were either not willing to pay or are not sure.
Hindi Survey: A majority of the respondents, 1022 said they were willing to pay a tax cut or donate.
What does it say?
Interestingly the survey data displays an almost equal 50-50 split between respondents in English who are willing to pay a tax cut or donate for the wellbe- ing of children in street situations. Respondents are actually willing to take a step forward for the betterment of these children.