Forced begging in many underdeveloped countries is an issue of concern for global rights defenders. It is the easiest way of living in those countries arising out of poverty, famine, destitution asn so on existing in those countries. Senegal is one of those country in the world which face the challenge of forced begging.

Begging is different from forced begging and the concept of forced begging has some dimensions considering the causes and the effects.

Forced begging is of many types. It is not only that they are only forced by any people or groups, they are forced to beg for the circumstances and the miserable condition of their lives. In this case, they are forced by themselves to beg for them; to live their lives.

The situation is unlike in our country as well. If we go out of home, within five minutes, we meet a beggar. They are huge in the road intersections and other public gathering. Most of them are forced to beg for their prevailing miserable condition of lives. They beg to live. They are forced beggar.

On the other hand, some miscreants or vested quarter of people allure them to take it as profession on the condition of sharing of benefit. They are organizer and perpetrators of such heinous crime.

However, take the case of Senegal. There around 50,000 children were forced to beg. The international human rights groups have asked the newly elected authority of the country to take initiative to stop and limit this upcoming threat for human rights. 

The International Labour Organization has criticized the government for its failure to protect people from this despondent condition of the country. the government is yet to address the issue properly. 

“Forced child begging” is one of the world’s worst forms of child labor and human right violation. The rights groups have urged the Senegal Authority to enact new legislation in this regard. 

Unfortunately enough, most of the profit the forced labour earned go to the marabout. They suffer from ensuring their food and health care, let alone the education. The Senegalese government enacted legislation in 2005 that criminalized forcing others into begging for personal financial gain. But the authorities have largely failed to take concrete steps to enforce the law and end the exploitation. 

The situation is almost similar in our country. Here, begging is a new challenge of human rights and development. The government cannot take adequate measures to stop begging and provide them alternative solution for their lives. Providing the beggars with the alternative livelihood and source of earning to live is the call of the time. The sooner the better. 

Source: Human Rights Watch