The Scientific Affairs Unit at the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences for Women, University of Baghdad, held a workshop entitled (The Phenomenon of Street Children). The session was presented by faculty members from the Individual Games Department, Assistant Professor Dr. Zainab Qahtan, and Lecturer Dr. Hind Salem, in addition to Lecturer Rasha Waleed from the Theoretical Sciences Department.
The speakers explained the concept of a (street child) according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which defines a street child as anyone under the age of eighteen for whom the street is their home or primary source of livelihood and who lacks adequate protection or supervision from a responsible adult. International estimates indicate that there are between 100 and 150 million street children worldwide.
The workshop addressed the causes behind the phenomenon of street children, such as economic factors like poverty and unemployment, social and communal factors, and family-related issues such as breakdowns and educational shortcomings. It also emphasized the physical and health conditions of these children, as well as the broader humanitarian and ethical implications.
The lecturers stressed that tackling this issue requires collective efforts from governments, NGOs, communities, and individuals.
The workshop concluded with recommendations calling for increased awareness about the importance of this issue, the development of a comprehensive national strategy that includes the provision of shelters, healthcare, and education for street children, and the strengthening of the legal framework with clear laws to protect children’s rights and criminalize their homelessness and exploitation. It also suggested the creation of mechanisms to monitor implementation.
This workshop aims to contribute to achieving one of the Sustainable Development Goals—Goal 4: Quality Education.
The Scientific Affairs Unit at the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences for Women, University of Baghdad, held a workshop entitled (The Phenomenon of Street Children). The session was presented by faculty members from the Individual Games Department, Assistant Professor Dr. Zainab Qahtan, and Lecturer Dr. Hind Salem, in addition to Lecturer Rasha Waleed from the Theoretical Sciences Department.
The speakers explained the concept of a (street child) according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which defines a street child as anyone under the age of eighteen for whom the street is their home or primary source of livelihood and who lacks adequate protection or supervision from a responsible adult. International estimates indicate that there are between 100 and 150 million street children worldwide.
The workshop addressed the causes behind the phenomenon of street children, such as economic factors like poverty and unemployment, social and communal factors, and family-related issues such as breakdowns and educational shortcomings. It also emphasized the physical and health conditions of these children, as well as the broader humanitarian and ethical implications.
The lecturers stressed that tackling this issue requires collective efforts from governments, NGOs, communities, and individuals.
The workshop concluded with recommendations calling for increased awareness about the importance of this issue, the development of a comprehensive national strategy that includes the provision of shelters, healthcare, and education for street children, and the strengthening of the legal framework with clear laws to protect children’s rights and criminalize their homelessness and exploitation. It also suggested the creation of mechanisms to monitor implementation.
This workshop aims to contribute to achieving one of the Sustainable Development Goals—Goal 4: Quality Education.
