IDSC 2025: Children in Street Situations Celebrate Their Right to Identity Through Meaningful Initiatives
On the occasion of the International Day for Street Children (IDSC), celebrated every 12 April, our partners in several countries came together with children in street situations for celebrations filled with dialogue, awareness-raising, creativity and advocacy. These initiatives, led by our partners, aimed to highlight the voices, creativity, and commitment of these children around a right that is still too often denied: the right to identity.
Through participatory events, children in street situations spoke out to raise awareness among the public and authorities about the challenges they face without a legally recognised identity. Too often ignored and marginalised, these children show remarkable resilience and a strong desire for change. These moments of mobilisation, held across several countries, brought to light their talents, hopes, and demands, making them central actors of this international day.
Dive into the initiatives carried out by our partners in the Republic of Congo, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Cameroon.
“A name to exist, an identity to move forward: for every child in street situations!”
Republic of the Congo
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In Brazzaville, several children supported by member organisations within the REIPER (Réseau des Intervenants sur le Phénomène des Enfants en Rupture), and local authority representatives gathered to mark this important day.
The event was filled with various activities that allowed the children to express themselves and highlight their realities. Artistic performances blending theatre, slam poetry, and singing were offered, alongside an exhibition of drawings created by the children, inspired by their experiences or imagination. A key moment of the celebration was the handing over of birth certificates to several children who had previously lacked identification papers, an important step made possible through the efforts of REIPER and the support of prosecutors and municipal services. This gesture marks a crucial first step towards their legal recognition and access to their rights. Finally, participants gathered around a women’s football match, a symbol of solidarity, inclusion, and equality.
Madagascar
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In Antananarivo, nearly a thousand children took part in activities organised by the Plateforme de la Société Civile pour l’Enfance (PFSCE) and its partners. This vibrant, participatory event brought together many children in street situations for a day that blended awareness-raising, artistic expression, and civic engagement.
The celebration featured a theatre performance, a joyful carnival with the children, and a variety of fun and cultural activities, including games, slam and painting competitions, theatrical performances, and a roundtable led by the PFSCE’s children's committee. To mark the International Day for Street Children 2025, the PFSCE also launched a major regularisation campaign aimed at securing birth certificates for several identified children in street situations who still lack this essential document.
During the celebrations, children made their voices heard, reminding everyone that:
"Children in street situations have the same rights as all other children, including the right to identity."
"Children in street situations need protection and special attention."
Democratic Republic of the Congo
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In Kinshasa, our seven partners mobilised by organising activities to highlight the right to identity. At the office of ORPER (l’œuvre de Reclassement et de Protection des Enfants de la Rue), the children were at the heart of the organisation and the facilitation of the event. They spoke out to defend their right to identity during a discussion with street leaders, neighbourhood chiefs and social services. The speech delivered by Rebecca, a young girl from one of the ORPER centres, deeply moved the audience:
"The daily life of these children called ‘street children’, who are victims of social injustice and blatant discrimination, deprived of their rights in various forms."
The association Jeunes au Soleil held a community dialogue on the challenges of birth registration, supported by theatre and dance performances to raise awareness in a playful and impactful way.
The Vivre et Travailler Ensemble (VTA) centre led a youth-driven awareness campaign targeting adults. The initiative concluded with an exhibition of handmade creations by 30 young people living in the centre, which brought together over 200 people.
Cameroon
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In Yaoundé, the Foyer de l’Espérance celebrated the IDSC by focusing on themes of identity and the right to health. The day highlighted the importance of identification and medical care for children in street situations, including those without identity documents. Throughout the week of 12 April, several civic actions were carried out. Among these, symbolic maintenance of public buildings was performed to remind everyone that just as these infrastructures need regular care to remain functional, children also need regular medical and administrative support to grow with dignity. A clean-up walk also brought together many young people, receiving widespread media coverage on television. This visibility served as a powerful advocacy tool, helping raise awareness of a cause that is too often overlooked.
The closing ceremony, held on 12 April, was a festive occasion, showcasing the children's talents through sketches, dance competitions, culinary exhibitions, traditional games such as tug-of-war, and recitations. Through these creative expressions, children in street situations reminded everyone of the importance of their legal recognition so that their voices, dreams, and talents are fully acknowledged and valued.