Title: “The fight against street children in Kinshasa: a necessary citizen mobilization”
Introduction :
Every day, in the streets of Kinshasa, the massive presence of street children, nicknamed “Shegués”, arouses the concern and indignation of the population. These young delinquents, aged around 6 to 15, operate in groups and commit robberies and assaults, sowing terror among passers-by. Faced with this alarming situation, Kinshasa society is mobilizing to fight against this scourge and ensure the safety of all.
The violent theft of a mobile phone recently triggered a wave of mobilization at the intersection of Boulevard du 30 juin and Avenue Kasa-Vubu, in Gombe. The population has decided to track the “Shegués” to their entrenchment located in the sewers of the boulevard. A manhunt which was followed by a lynching of these young delinquents, before the intervention of the police. This scene bears witness to both the anger and the frustration of the population in the face of the growing insecurity caused by street children.
The activities of the “Shegués” are not limited only to thefts and assaults. They also disrupt road traffic by soliciting alms from motorists, especially at red lights. These requests for money often turn into fights, creating a climate of generalized insecurity. Moreover, after dark, these young delinquents dominate the streets and endanger the lives of passers-by.
Faced with this worrying situation, it is imperative to act to preserve the security and tranquility of the population of Kinshasa.
Actions by civil society and the authorities:
Aware of the urgent need to act, civil society in Kinshasa is multiplying initiatives to fight against the presence of street children. Organizations are mobilizing to raise public awareness of this problem and to set up social reintegration programs.
The local authorities are not remaining inactive in the face of this situation either. Police patrols are reinforced in high-risk areas, in order to ensure a dissuasive presence and to apprehend offenders. In addition, discussions are under way with the competent authorities to put in place measures aimed at combating crime by street children.
The need for a comprehensive approach:
The fight against street children cannot be limited to specific actions. It is essential to adopt a comprehensive and multidimensional approach to solving this problem. This involves raising public awareness of the fundamental rights of children, coordinating the various stakeholders (civil society, authorities, international organizations, etc.) and setting up appropriate social reintegration programs.
It is also crucial to work on the root causes of the presence of street children. Poverty, lack of access to education, domestic violence, lack of reception structures are all factors that push these children to take the streets as refuge. It is therefore necessary to put in place policies and actions aimed at improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable families and providing educational and training opportunities for children.
Conclusion :
The presence of street children in Kinshasa is a worrying problem that threatens the safety and well-being of the population. Faced with this situation, citizen mobilization is essential to put an end to the insecurity caused by these young offenders. The actions of civil society and the authorities must be complementary and form part of a global approach, aimed at the social reintegration of street children and the improvement of the living conditions of the most vulnerable families. It is time to take concrete measures to ensure a better future for these children and to guarantee the safety of all the inhabitants of Kinshasa.