Deprivation among children living and working on the streets of Harare

ABSTRACT

This article investigates the extent of deprivation and vulnerability among children who live and work on the streets of Harare. A questionnaire survey was administered to 100 children in Harare's central business district; this was supplemented by in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The study found that these children suffered severe deprivation, in particular in terms of shelter and education. The majority of the children obtained their income from begging and selling small items. They were exposed to verbal, physical, sexual and emotional abuse by the public, as well as by other children and adults on the streets. Poverty was the main reason for the children being on the streets, while social factors such as family disintegration or the death of their parents also played a role. These push factors can be addressed through providing more social protection, cash transfers to families, and education and health assistance.

KEYWORDS:

• Children living and working on the streets
• child poverty
• child deprivation
• vulnerabilities
• Harare

Acknowledgements

This article draws on research undertaken by the authors during the ‘Specialised Study on Urban Poverty in Highfield and Epworth High-Density Suburbs, Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe', implemented by the Institute of Environmental Studies of the University of Zimbabwe in collaboration with the UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Office and government ministries, including the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the support from the UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Office [Contract no. 43135128].