DATE=1/6/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=STREET CHILDREN IN ETHIOPIA PART III
NUMBER=5-45190
BYLINE=HILLETEWORK MATHIAS
DATELINE=WASHINGTON D.C.
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Non-governmental organizations are making a
significant contribution to the alleviation of some of
the problems of street children in Ethiopia. But many
agree that they alone cannot solve such fundamental
urban problems. They need strong support and
cooperation from the Ethiopian government and the
general public. In his third, and last, report of a
series on Street Children in Ethiopia, V-O-A's
Hilletework Mathias reports on what is being done by
Ethiopian policy makers to tackle the problems of
street children in the Horn of African country.
TEXT: Ethiopia is one of the signatories of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child, and its
constitution also protects the rights of children. As
a step toward facing its responsibilities, Ethiopia's
government is conducting a campaign through state-run
media to make the public aware of the true nature of
the problems facing children.
Officials say Ethiopia's central government is also
helping regional administrations to effectively
address social problems, such as street children.
Mengiste Ayele is a team leader for children issues in
the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
/// MENGISTE ACT ///
According to the new structure, regions are
responsible to identify and mitigate different social
problems in their environment. At the federal level,
the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is giving
technical assistance in different forms, so those
regions can mitigate different problems found in their
respective regions. The ministry has a good working
relationship with different child-oriented N-G-O's
(non-government organizations) that are giving
different services to street children.
/// END OF ACT ///
In the past, the government had a separate agency
called - the Children's Commission -- that was in
charge of children issues. But under a government-
restructuring program, the commission became a
department within the Ministry of Labor and Social
Affairs.
Some N-G-O's say this was a wrong move. Minas Hiruy
is the executive director Hope enterprise -- an
Ethiopian group that provides food, council, and
training to street children.
/// MINAS ACT ///
Children need an agency of their own that can speak
for them, that can protect them. Right now, we really
do not have an agency that has the policy clout, the
authority that really stands on the side of children
and do much. Yes, in the past we used to have the
Children Commission. Now we have a Children
Department. The commission in the past was more
powerful. It was during that time so much was done for
children. A lot of orphanages were set up, a lot of
children care operations were invited into the country
and there was much for children. Now that kind of
effort has subsided, although there is still concern
for children, particularly in the area of child
rights.
/// END OF ACT ///
Another N-G-O group involved in promoting the causes
of street children in the Horn-of-Africa country is
Forum for Street Children in Ethiopia. Executive
Director Dawit Woldemariam agrees with Mr. Minas that
street kids need an organization of their own.
/// DAWIT ACT ///
Restructuring of the children commission is a
disadvantage for most of us who are working with
street children. I agree with some of the N-G-O's who
are saying we should have a vocal organization because
we are looking to the young generation. Forty-five-
percent of the population is below [age] 15 and we are
looking at the serious issues of AIDS pandemic, which
more and more orphan children are going to be in, in
Ethiopia. This situation should be given more focus.
Lack of focal organization at the ministerial level is
a very problematic situation for us and I agree with
them [other N-G-Os].
/// END OF ACT ///
But Mr. Mengiste defends the restructuring of the
commission, saying the issue of street children is
still being given the same attention.
/// MENGISTE ACT ///
I think this has happened because of the new
restructuring policy of the government in a way to
give more responsibilities to relevant bodies. All
responsibilities, which used to be given to the
commission and to the organization, are still here
with the department.
/// END OF ACT ///
Bureaucratic red tape is another issue N-G-O's cite as
a problem in their efforts to help street children.
They say the whole legal process is slow, and
fulfilling the formalities for clearance to proceed
with a program sometimes takes as long as a year. Mr.
Dawit says the bureaucracy is not efficient.
/// DAWIT ACT ///
Sometimes the rules and procedures are beyond the
capacities of the ministries. If you look at some of
the ministries, where they look at the proposals,
revise the proposal, there are only one or two people.
They are not computerized. So if 10, 12, 15, or 20
proposals overflow them, they are unable to do it
properly.
/// END OF ACT ///
His colleague, Mr. Minas, appeals to the government to
streamline the registration process.
/// MINAS ACT //
What I would suggest, particularly for our lawmakers,
is to make it enhancing for all of us to be involved
in this with the least of hassles, so that with
everyone doing what we can we can impact the problem
in a drastic way. Otherwise, the way things are going
right now, with only 300 N-G-Os being involved, we
simply just [touch] the surface, not really have an
effective impact in curbing the problem.
/// END OF ACT ///
Team leader Mengiste does not deny such an assertion,
and says the government is doing its best to simplify
rules and regulations regarding the N-G-O's.
/// MENGISTE ACT ///
We hear from some N-G-O's that the process to be
registered and legalized by the relevant government
organizations is a bit long. On the other hand, there
are still different efforts being made to minimize
this process. From the government side, we need also
to see very carefully different stations. Because
there could be also some N-G-O's which are unable to
address the problems of different target groups.
Different misuse of funds has also been seen by a few
N-G-O's. In order to protect such things, the
government should take care of this delicate situation
very carefully.
/// END OF ACT ///
Street kids are forced to spend their productive years
on the streets in demeaning and degrading ways. The
problem is not expected to go away soon in one of the
poorest countries on earth. But many remain hopeful
Ethiopia's collective efforts to address the issue
will eventually provide a lasting solution to one of
the country's many problems. (SIGNED)
NEB/HM/ENE/RAE
07-Jan-2000 08:52 AM EDT (07-Jan-2000 1352 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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