PROBLMS AND SURVIVAL STRATEGIES OF FEMALE STREET CHILDREN IN ADDIS ABABA

Abstract

Street children are without proper parental protection, opportunities for schooling, health care, growth (both physical and mental), development of any kind, nutrition, shelter and even their right to a decent and human existence itself. Some drift into begging or petty crimes. In addition to the above mentioned problems, street children face the danger of getting into accidents and different kinds of health problems in street life. Girls who are living on the streets are even more vulnerable than boys. In addition to the health risks experienced by street boys, adolescent girls are at risk of early, unplanned pregnancies with minimal, if any, antenatal care. The study examines reasons of joining street life, problems and survival strategies of female street children in Addis Ababa. The study was conducted in five selected places (“Mexico”, “Merkato”, “Piazza”, “Bole” and “Arat Killo”) in Addis Ababa. To address the research objective, both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. The survey consisted of 100 female street children purposely selected in such selected places. The qualitative method consisted of three focus group discussions with female street children, ten in-depth interviews with selected female street children and five selected key informants from relevant stakeholders who are responsible on street children. The study revealed that female children drifted away from home and school to street way of life was due to interrelated and complex reasons and problems. The major problems identified as a reason for being in street were: poverty, violence and abuse by others, family breakdown, change of female child behavior, peer pressure, and harmful traditional practice like early marriage. They engaged in doing different activities on the street that make them vulnerable and victims of problems including various forms of sexual abuse by diverse categories of people. Rape, prostitution, unwanted kissing, breast fondling were reported as some of the forms of sexual abuse among female street children. To avoid different problems in the street, most female street children reported that they solved their problems by themselves. This study shows that the living condition of female street children remains “horrible” and they are exposed to different kinds of problems. As a consequence of their involvement on street life x which in turn makes them available for easy prey by different abusers, they were victims of various forms of sexual abuse. Female street children were also found to engage in high-risk behaviors, including unsafe sex, which increased their risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. The study also showed that the support they get from different stakeholders was very scarce or almost nil. As a result they are exposed to a variety of problems and forced to solve their problems by themselves. Hence multilateral collaboration is essential to solve the immediate and long term needs of female street children in Addis Ababa. This study has its own implication to social work. Thus, concerned government departments and NGOs should enhance job opportunities and reunification of female street children.