RAJSHAHI, Dec 13, 2022 (BSS) - Integrated efforts of all the government and non-government organizations can be the crucial means of rehabilitating the street children of the country.

The government under the prudent and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been implementing various programmes for the rehabilitation of the street children.

Side by side with the government efforts, the non-government organizations and the community as a whole should come forward and work together to attain the cherished goal of transforming the street children into worthy citizens.

Government officials and others concerned came up with the observation while addressing a roundtable discussion titled "Responsibilities to the Street Children for Birth Registration and Government Facilities" here today.

Rajshahi regional office of Caritas Bangladesh organized the discussion at its conference hall here to mark the exposure of a survey report related to the present situation of street children in Rajshahi city.

Program Officer Deepak Ekka gave an illustration on the city's street children along with their existing problems during his keynote presentation, while Programme Officer Ransy Rooth Hasda welcomed the participants.

They told the meeting that there are 1,688 street children in Rajshahi city at present and most of them are subjected to mental, physical and sexual exploitation.

Deputy Director of the Department of Social Services Hasina Momtaz and Ward Councilor of Rajshahi City Corporation Muhammad Quamruzzaman addressed the discussion as chief and special guests respectively, while Regional Director of Caritas Bangladesh David Hembrom was in the chair.
Editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hassan Millat, district unit coordinator of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust Advocate Samina Begum and Programme Manager of Shapla Gram Unnyan Sangstha Imrul Asad spoke on the occasion as panel discussants.

The meeting stressed the need for giving priority to the street children in terms of their birth registration and availing other public services.

Around 25 participants consisting of government and non-government representatives, professional dignitaries and public representatives joined the meeting and shared views on the issue.