Forced Child Begging in Bangladesh: Raise Your Voice Against This Inhumanity
Child begging, a heartbreaking reality in Bangladesh, reveals the darkest corners of our society. These innocent souls, often abducted and exploited, endure unimaginable hardships on the streets. With a heavy heart, we must to say, Child begging in Bangladesh increasing at an alarming rate. Sometimes they are forced to do begging on busy road or on running speedy vehicles as like bus or train by taking risk of their own lives.
These ill fated children has no human right. They have to fight against the World to earn their livelihood.
According to government rules, Section 71 of Children’s Act of 2013, makes it a crime to employ a child to beg, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine up to BDT 10,000.
The Harsh Realities Faced by Child Beggars:
Child beggars inhabit a world of desperation and vulnerability, where innocence is traded for survival. Let us delve into their stark realities:
Hidden Suffering:
Behind the bustling streets and colorful chaos lies a silent crisis — the exploitation of children through forced begging.
Abduction and Despair:
Criminal networks abduct and maim these vulnerable children, thrusting them into a life of begging against their will.
Stolen Childhood:
Child beggars lose their childhood, robbed of education, play, and dreams. Their tiny hands stretch out for alms, while their eyes reflect fear and exhaustion.
COVID-19’s Cruel Twist:
The pandemic pushed eight million children worldwide into begging and child labor. In Bangladesh, the situation worsened as families faced income losses.
Poverty’s Grip:
Poverty, fear, and insecurity drive child begging. Families, desperate for survival, send their children to the streets, where they become pawns in a heart-wrenching game.
Laws and Obligations:
Child begging is illegal, yet ignorance and negligence persist. The laws are clear, but enforcement remains weak.
Outdated Tradition:
Child marriage, once considered normal, is now widely condemned. Similarly, child begging must be recognized as outdated and harmful.
What Initiatives Should be Taken to Tackle Child Begging in Bangladesh:
Educate and Refrain:
Learn about the impacts of child begging. Refrain from participating in or attending child marriages within your family and community.
Resist and Raise Your Voice:
Resist any attempts to organize or facilitate child begging. Raise your voice against this inhumanity.
Rally for Change:
Mobilize your family, friends, and local authorities. Together, we can create a collective movement that rejects child begging.
Safe Shelters and Rehabilitation:
Establish safe shelters for rescued child beggars. Provide them with education, vocational training, and emotional healing.
Community Awareness:
Educate communities about the dangers of child exploitation. Let empathy and compassion prevail over indifference.
In the shadows of our cities, these young souls cry out silently. Let us break the chains, rewrite their stories, and build a world where every child’s voice matters.
