On the 12th of April, we come together to recognise International Day for Street Children - a day to reflect on the incredible strength and resilience of street children around the world. This year's theme, ‘The Power of Participation’, highlights how empowering children to be active participants in decisions that affect them is not just a right – it is a transformative force that can help shape their futures.
The power of participation in action
At Toybox, we believe it is of fundamental importance to raise the voices of children and young people in street situations. Children have a right to be listened to and taken seriously and should be given the tools to express their opinion about decisions affecting their lives. From our very first steps alongside a child on the street, we are focused on ensuring that, no matter their circumstances, they have the opportunity to have their voice heard.
We partner with local organisations who share our commitment to amplifying the voices of children who have too often been sidelined. Whether it's providing safe spaces for children to share their experiences or supporting them to become leaders in their communities, our projects are designed to ensure that participation is at the heart of everything we do.
For us, true participation is not just about giving children a platform to express their views, it is about ensuring that what they have to say is respected and can make a real difference in the decisions that affect them. In practice, this means involving children and young people in every step of our programmes. Through child-led initiatives, our partners are empowering children to demand their rights and advocate for what they need to build the futures they deserve.
Pictured above: (L) 13-year old Tumo, who took part in participatory photography project in Nairobi, shares his feedback with Charles, a team member of local partner Pendekezo Letu, on the inclusion of his photos in the Toybox magazine 'Street Life'.
(R) Young people in the 'I Count Too' network supported by Toybox partner Alalay put on a performance for the Ombudsman's Office of Bolivia calling for their rights to education, healthcare and protection to be respected.
Looking ahead
On this International Day for Street Children, we renew our commitment to strengthening the power of participation and advocating for policies that respect children’s right to participate in the decisions affecting their lives. Alongside our local partners, we will continue to ensure that every child has the opportunity to have their voice heard.
To see how we are championing child participation in action, read our blog on amplifying children’s voices in Bolivia.
