The institutions that are supposed to support Egypt's growing population of homeless children actually contribute to the problems they face, reports Reem Leila Among the crowds that throng Cairo's streets are a growing number of children who consider those streets their home. They are children whose families and/or communities are unable to fulfill their basic needs and they spend most or all of their time wondering the streets. The government and several NGOs have established orphanages for street children though in too many cases, the streets are a more appealing prospect than these institutional homes. Wafaa El-Mestekawy, head of the Social Defence Department at the Ministry of Social Solidarity, says the exact figures for the number of homeless children are unavailable, though Cairo's rapidly growing population of street children is estimated at 150,000. Random samples suggest that the average age of such children is 13, with a quarter of the population believed to be less than 12 years old, two-thirds between 13 and 16 and only 10 per cent over the age of 17. "The ministry has developed a comprehensive project to provide NGOs with an overall plan of action on the protection and treatment to be applied to street children," she says. The role of NGOs, she explains, is usually limited to rehabilitation and reintegration projects, teaching the children skills that will help them gain employment or otherwise support themselves. Orphanages, on the other hand, provide secure dwelling places, offering residents a refuge from the violence they may encounter on the streets. Children in such homes go to school in the morning and learn a craft in the afternoon. They can leave the orphanages upon turning 21. Failure to take collective responsibility for the plight of street children, and a lack of social awareness and adequate monitoring mechanisms, unfortunately means that many of them are subject to abuse even within the institutions that are supposed to protect them. Abla El-Badry, head of the street children committee of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM), says that in the past, orphaned or abandoned children were housed in the homes of relatives. Now, they find themselves living under bridges or on doorways, at the mercy of the police who resort to violence and who often detain the children alongside adult criminals, where they are exposed to further violence and sexual abuse. "Street children are easy prey and face constant rejection by the community." El-Badry believes that more than half of Egypt's hostels are inactive, and that country-wide provision of even basic care is woefully inadequate. The issue is not just poverty, but public perception and awareness. The lack of cooperation between NGOs and government agencies has drastically reduced the range and quality of services available to street children, particularly in terms of alternative rehabilitation strategies such as fostering, still not recognised as an option. Children, she says, are often seen as economic tools rather than as citizens with a right to proper schooling. Health problems, violence, and sexual abuse remain prevalent within a majority of Egypt's street children orphanages; issues, that El-Badry says, can be addressed by special care programmes. "The children are usually underfed, prey to illnesses, and illiterate," she told Al-Ahram Weekly. "Street children, both boys and girls, find it difficult to live in these orphanages where they face frequent sexual abuse and even rape. They live in constant fear." Government agencies and NGOs need to stand shoulder to shoulder to combat an appalling situation." The problems facing Egypt's street children were the subject of a debate at last Sunday's session of the People's Assembly. According to Deputy Speaker Zeinab Radwan, the annual budget of government-run street children homes ranges from a meagre LE7,000 to LE10,000, though private orphanages are usually better resourced. But even the paltry service available is restricted to just seven governorates. The rest of Egypt is uncovered. During the debate, Radwan argued that punitive legislation was needed to penalise parents who, whether directly or indirectly, drive their children onto the streets. Egypt is signatory to several international treaties protecting the rights of children, including The Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. (see p.13)
