Separated Children in South Asia

South Asia nations are marked for their rich inheritance of historical evolution, cultural similarities, geo-political structuring, economic potentials and aspirations. Along with this is the dissonance consequent to their political dynamics, colonial legacies and the regional spread of conflicts. Concentration of poverty, unequal distribution of resources and the resultant marginalization, decline in agriculture leading to severe unemployment, aggravated marginalization consequent to the liberalization policies since the early 1990s and recurrent natural disasters put these nations vulnerable to child separation.

The slow rate of economic growth, high malnourishment, high infant and child mortality, gender bias in education and spreading HIV/AIDS contribute to child poverty in the region and lead to separation of children from their families. Available evidences indicate that the region has approximately 22 million children who are separated from families for various causes. The three largest countries – Bangladesh, India and Pakistan- account for 95 percent of the region’s child population and most certainly that of separated children as well.

The separated children could be placed under the following categories: street children, children engaged in industries as child labourers, children in domestic work, children involved in commercial sex, children who are in certified homes and orphanages, children of HIV/AIDS patients, children who are affected by war, communal clashes and natural disasters. There is no scientific estimate of the children who come under each of these categories.

The main reason for child separation is poverty in the family. Children drop out of schools and leave home for earning an additional income for the family or for their own survival. Rural debt is another important reason why children are sent to work as bonded labourers. Family break up, violence at home, the glamour of the city and peer pressure are other factors leading to child separation. Children are institutionalized because there is no one to care for them or because of disasters, which are natural, or man made. The latest category of children who are separated is children affected by HIV/AIDS.

The separated children suffer much vulnerability. They are deprived of their childhood and are forced to take up burdens beyond their capacity. They are used by antisocial elements for crimes. They get into the habit of drugs and gambling. They experiment with sex early in life and are in danger of diseases. Girl children are forced into commercial sex early in their life. They are deprived of parental care and love, which are so essential for their growth.

The governments have intervened through legislations and with some programmes, particularly institutional care. There are many NGOs in the region who intervene to prevent separation or take care of the separated children.