# Vulnerabilities among children of migrant rag pickers in UT Jammu and Kashmir: examining in the context of sustainable development goals 4 and 10

## TL;DR

This study explores the challenges faced by children of migrant rag pickers in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting their lack of education and social inclusion in the context of global sustainability goals.

## Contribution

The study uniquely combines qualitative insights with Sustainable Development Goals to highlight systemic inequalities affecting children of rag pickers.

## Key findings

- Children of migrant rag pickers face systemic barriers to education and health due to socio-economic exclusion.
- Participants expressed feelings of disgrace and insecurity, highlighting the need for inclusive social policies.
- Despite challenges, children show resilience and hope, emphasizing the importance of child-sensitive policymaking.

## Abstract

This study focuses on to scrutinize the experiences as well as the varying degrees of helplessness of children born into rag picking families. Within the agenda of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 10 (Reducing Inequalities), this study demonstrates the systemic holes in learning and deepening cycles of dissimilarity slavery faced by children from migrant rag picking communities.

The study employed a qualitative, phenomenological approach. The research highlights the voices and perspectives of migrant rag picker about their children living in urban slums of Srinagar. These children may not take part in rag picking, but the coarse socio-economic and environmental conditions of the livelihood extremely affect them. The study is grounded on in-depth interviews, focused group discussions and observational data concerning the poor conditions, disenfranchisement, negligible schooling, compromised healthiness and chronic emotional abandon.

Plentiful participants articulated a sense of disgrace, social isolation and persistent insecurity, often encountering unfairness not just in public spaces, but also in their own communities. Further, children of migrant rag pickers face various health issues and are not able to enroll their children in schools because of culture of poverty. Yet among these challenges, glimpses of hope, along with resilient aspirations infused with deep inner strength, persist.

There is a pressing need for social policy that is both inclusive and intersectional, with a focus on providing educational access while eliminating structural socio-economic exclusion. The research advocates for a child-sensitive empathic approach to policymaking and social action by focusing on the children’s perspectives and offering a greater sense of humanity and respect while ensuring the policies will sustain equity and justice for all.