De la Rua has asked for patience from his people

They were welcomed by other children and some union leaders as they reached the main square of the capital.

People on the streets waved flags and beat drums as the march reached its destination.

The march has been organised by children's charities who are campaigning for government measures to prevent minors from going onto the streets or being sent to work.

The government estimates that more than half the children in Argentina live beneath the poverty line and the figure has steadily increased in recent years.

Popular protests

In recent weeks, thousands of jobless people have blocked roads in Buenos Aires province and demanded unemployment benefits.

Every unemployed means more kids on the streets

Argentina is Latin America's third-largest economy, but it has not seen any growth in the last 34 months, leading to many lost jobs and social conflict.

As one of the organisers of the children's march put it, whenever a parent loses their job, a child might find itself living on the streets.

The government has begun implementing measures to improve the situation and the president, Fernando de la Rua, has asked the country to be patient