BEGGING AS A LIVELIHOOD STRATEGY: A CASE OF STREET CHILDREN OF THE HARARE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT IN ZIMBABWE

Abstract

There is a dearth of academic studies on begging as a livelihood strategy among street children in the context of austerities. The article problematises begging as one of the livelihood strategies of street children of the Harare Central Business District (CBD) in the face of adversities, induced partly by austerity measures. A qualitative research methodology was adopted to generate data for this study. Resilience theory was adopted to analyse the realities of these children. Research findings suggest that the street children of the Harare Central Business District through begging. The article argues that younger children were more involved in begging as a livelihood strategy as compared to the older ones. The article concludes by lobbying and advocating for full implementation of child rights laws, policies and programmes to reduce risks associated with begging among these children.