Archive for category: Child Poverty

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Disability and Poverty in Vietnam

Poverty in VietnamAccording to research, 37% of children in Vietnam live in poverty. This stark disparity becomes even more pronounced when compared with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) findings, highlighting that only 10% of children in Vietnam benefit from cash transfers or assistance. This staggering statistic underscores the alarming gap in essential cash support for many of the child population. Mainly disconcerting is the situation faced by ethnic minority children residing in rural areas, who confront age-specific risks such as malnutrition.

Poverty in Vietnam

While Vietnam has dramatically reduced its malnutrition rate since 2004, an unfinished agenda remains. While making strides, the present social protection system reveals inherent gaps in cohesiveness, marked by limited coverage and benefits lacking in progressiveness and child sensitivity. As a result, the system cannot address the multiple disadvantages and vulnerabilities affecting children’s well-being.

Reports on development in Vietnam highlight a noteworthy disparity in poverty rates between the majority of Kinh people, constituting more than 88% of the population and ethnic minorities, comprising less than 15%. The poverty rate among the Kinh population in Vietnam stands at a mere 2.9%, showcasing a relatively favorable economic situation. However, a stark contrast emerges among ethnic minorities, where nearly half grapple with the harsh realities of poverty.

Social Protection

For decades, UNICEF has been steadfast in its mission to advance the rights and well-being of the world’s most marginalized and excluded children. This  includes those with disabilities. With a dedicated commitment to securing the full realization of their human rights, UNICEF strives to create environments that uphold quality and inclusiveness. The organization is committed to its pursuit of a world where children, irrespective of disabilities, can thrive, liberated from the shackles of discrimination, stigma, exclusion and violence.

In alignment with this vision, UNICEF actively supports governments, notably in developing child-sensitive social protection systems. This strategic involvement seeks to lay the foundation for a framework that not only safeguards the rights of every child but also addresses the unique needs and challenges faced by those with disabilities.

Children with disabilities are one of the most excluded and marginalized groups. They often face multiple challenges in realizing their human rights. However, UNICEF, through its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS) initiative, has committed to “delivering disability-inclusive support and services for children in their communities,” including those in Vietnam. In 2022, the initiative reached 4.5 million children with disabilities across 142 nations, ensuring “every child has the support they need to be healthy, educated, respected and protected.”

Final Remark

Inclusion of all children with disabilities is one of the goals to achieve sustainable development. To achieve this objective, it is imperative to fortify legal, policy and institutional frameworks when embarking on national social protection reforms, using universal and life-cycle approaches. This strategic approach ensures that the diverse needs of children at different stages of life are comprehensively addressed. The work of UNICEF in Vietnam has led to the development of a child protection system that serves the interests of all children, particularly the most vulnerable.

– An Tran
Photo: Unsplash

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Child Poverty in Belarus and the Chernobyl Disaster 

Child Poverty in BelarusBelarus is an Eastern European country bordering Russia to the east, Poland to the west, and Ukraine to the south. It has a population of 9,255,524, making it the 96th most populated country in the world. As a developing country, it is ranked 60th on the Human Development Index. Belarus is a member of multiple international organizations, including the United Nations, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. However, child poverty exists in Belarus, as it is ranked number 5 in the Top 10 poorest countries in Europe in 2024.

Child Poverty in Belarus

According to UNICEF, a child lives in multidimensional poverty if that child experiences two or more deprivations. As a result, a 2017 study from The Guardian reveals that the proportion of children living in institutional care in the region is 2%–5%. Various reasons outside of poverty include large families who are unable to care for their children and the stigmatization of and discrimination against children with disabilities. However, even in Belarusian orphanages, almost 100 children have been living on the brink of starvation in the capital of Minsk. 

One of the contributing factors to child poverty in Belarus is starvation, leading to a government report of over 30,000 Belarusian orphans placed in public institutions. ChildFund International, a development organization founded in 1938, focuses on caring for Belarusian children living in extreme poverty. Since 1993, ChildFund been helping Belarus care for both orphaned and disabled children through the USAID-funded Supporting Orphans and Vulnerable Child program, enacted for children placed in public institutions to live with foster families. It is through ChildFund’s efforts that “three of five piloted communities stopped placing children in orphanages, and the overall rate of children institutionalization has declined by 25 percent.” This is a significant step in the right direction. ChildFund cares for orphans whether or not they have a disability. They make children’s health care their top priority over anything else.

The Chernobyl Disaster

Another factor that is also associated with child poverty in Belarus is the Chernobyl disaster. A study by UNICEF reveals that Belarus has absorbed an estimated 70% of the nuclear fallout. This is likely because Belarus’s border with Ukraine is just 4 miles from the Chernobyl power plant. More than 20% of adolescent children in Belarus suffer from disabilities caused by birth defects, such as congenital heart defects. Health care in Belarus is a problem because of the Chernobyl disaster. The effects of the disaster continue to plague the people despite the country’s best efforts at improving children’s health. According to UNICEF, “48.6% of children in residential care institutions are children with disabilities.”

Chernobyl Children International (CCI), founded in 1991, works to help children in the region who have been impacted by the Chernobyl disaster, including various facilities in Belarus, such as the Vesnova Home for Invalid Children. The Vesnova Home has helped more than 170 children and teenagers born with severe birth defects resulting from the disaster. It was pioneered as a form of independent living and is a part of CCI’s programs.

Through the intervention of CCI, children can live independently in this institutional program rather than in an adult mental asylum. Without CCI, these children would not have attended any educational institutions. They would also have little to no connection with their peers because of their differences. UNICEF highlights that disability is the main reason for child abandonment. It is also why many children throughout the country live in residential homes. This illustrates how child poverty strikes a family if they are provided any special accommodations if they possess any disability. CCI works with children and their families that continue to suffer from the economic outcome of the Chernobyl accident.

Helping the Children of Chernobyl

The Chernobyl disaster occurred more than 38 years ago. However, it became the starting point of a sharp rise in birth defects, which correlates with child poverty in Belarus. There are 2.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, a key demographic indicator in the under-five mortality rate. According to CCI, “Chernobyl is not something from the past. Chernobyl ‘is forever.’ The impact of that single shocking nuclear accident can never be undone; its radioactive footprint is embedded in our world forever and countless millions of people are still being affected by its deadly legacy.”

As a result, CCI continues to stay active in helping Belarus as it provides social support for children. As a result of Chernobyl, in the economic field, “children are the poorest sector of the population, facing 1.5 times greater risk of poverty than the average level across the country.” Whether they were born before or after it, the disaster continues to leave wounds for those who were affected. Consequently, child poverty continues to exist in Belarus. It is the efforts of CCI and various other organizations that ensure that every child is cared for regardless of their disabilities. This will lead to Belarus progressing toward fighting against child poverty and poverty as a whole in this country.

Chernobyl Children International’s founder, Adi Roche, stated perfectly that “CCI is founded on hope and courage: the hope that the children—one by one and heartbeat by heartbeat—will thrive; and the courage to envision and create a better world.”

It is the efforts of various facilities and organizations that have led to foreign aid. They ensure that Belarus is not alone in its struggles against child poverty.

– Nevin Guler
Photo: Flickr

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Child Poverty in Saint Vincent and Grenadines

Child Poverty in Saint Vincent and GrenadinesChild poverty is prevalent on small Caribbean islands like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines where support to help with this issue is not always available. Saint Vincent and Grenadines is a small island located in the Southern Caribbean. According to 2021 UNICEF data, around 38% of children between the ages of 0 and 17 are living in poverty in the area, alongside 37% of adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19. Child poverty in Saint Vincent and Grenadines also affects certain genders more than others. UNICEF also states that 41% of adolescents who live in women-run households live in poverty, compared to male-led households’ poverty rate which stands at 31%.

The island of Saint Vincent and Grenadines has few options for creating income causing a majority of children to fall into poverty. According to the U.N., Saint Vincent and Grenadines is a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) which means it faces certain unique social and economic challenges that other countries do not face. The country has limited economic resources and is also prone to natural disasters striking the area.

Economy and Child Labor

In an area that is already very vulnerable, the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the issues surrounding child poverty in Saint Vincent and Grenadines. The country went through lockdowns, which hugely affected tourism, one of the most important economic sectors in the Caribbean. In 2020, tourism’s contribution to the country’s GDP declined by 67%, leaving many women unemployed.

According to UNDP, another vulnerability that the country faces is very unstable informal employment, which represents around 38% “of the entire economy and includes family businesses and self-employed owners of the businesses.”

The high levels of child poverty in Saint Vincent and Grenadines have led to other issues within the nation, such as child labor. According to a 2021 United States Department of Labor report, children of very young ages often start to work street vending selling items like fruit and vegetables, with laws for hazardous work are not up to international standards.

Helping the Children

Despite the many hardships that child poverty in Saint Vincent and Grenadines causes, many initiatives and groups are working to solve the problem. In 2012, UNICEF launched the Child-Friendly Schools (CFS) concept in Saint Vincent and Grenadines, introducing 13 pilot schools in the area. Child-Friendly Initiative includes many facets to help children in Saint Vincent and Grenadines, like public education and shedding light on children’s rights.

The country also joined the School Meals Coalition in 2023. The Schools Meals Collation is a program that aims to improve school nutrition and bring healthy meals to children in impoverished areas. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was one of nine new countries to join in 2023 and is the first in the Eastern Caribbean. The coalition has reached 418 million children, as of 2023.

Global Gateway Strategy

The European Commission has had great success with the Global Gateway strategy. In July 2023, it announced a global investment of €45 million to implement this plan in Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside Asia and the Pacific.

Saint Vincent and Grenadines is also working to use more sustainable practices, such as the government’s decision to move toward more nature-based tourism, including a larger focus on fisheries and ocean development. In July 2023, the World Bank provided a $30 million policy credit through the International Development Association (IDA), that is going to be used to help finance policies supporting fisheries and provide relief for any pandemic like COVID-19.

– Madison McCray
Photo: Flickr

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Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

Michael & Susan Dell FoundationEstablished in 1999, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation aims to empower children living in urban poverty by enhancing education, health and family economic stability. Initially rooted in Austin, Texas, the foundation has transcended local boundaries to encompass regions across the United States and extend globally, touching the lives of countless individuals.

Efforts in India

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides improved access to financial services, employment opportunities, education and sustainable livelihoods for India’s urban poor. With 149 active projects spanning the nation, this commitment exceeds $180 million in investments, enriching the lives of children and fostering enduring changes within their communities.

In India, half of students need to catch up in reading and arithmetic, while 33% drop out before completing high school. Additionally, 60% of 18- to 21-year-olds need more preparation for the job market. To address these challenges and enhance educational outcomes for underserved students, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation invests in large-scale statewide projects to improve student learning, teaching skills, school administration and educational leadership.

The foundation has provided crucial financial support to two leading school finance companies in India. It enables school leaders to enhance learning environments and broaden access to high-quality education. This effort aims to bring about significant changes in India’s educational system and is now implementing in Rajasthan, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Additionally, in India, more than 400 million people are between the ages of 15 and 29, but many lack the skills needed for job opportunities. Acknowledging this pressing necessity, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation continues to work to improve families’ financial security.

One noteworthy project is a partnership with the Lighthouse Communities Foundation, which empowers young people with the horizontal and vertical skill sets necessary for workforce integration. With 16,000 job placements and 25,000 students enrolled, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation is pivotal in providing India’s youth with the essential tools to obtain meaningful employment, cultivating a road toward enduring prosperity and success.

Efforts in South Africa

Another primary goal is to provide people in South Africa with employment opportunities. The foundation plays a vital part in promoting financial stability among South African households by utilizing brilliant collaborations with entities such as SweepSouth, which provides job placement services to the unemployed.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation’s collaboration with SweepSouth has had a profound impact. Their technology is actively engaging more than 4,000 domestic workers, with a noteworthy 97% of them being women with children. Impressively, more than 80% of these individuals were previously unemployed. This initiative creates job opportunities and instills a sense of empowerment, enabling individuals to experience continuous personal and professional growth in South Africa.

In their commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for underserved youth in South Africa, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation supports the Funda Wande initiative, specifically the “Teach Reading for Meaning” program. This innovative project focuses on equipping teachers with advanced techniques to effectively teach reading, a skill crucial for academic success.

The distinguishing feature of this program lies in its approach. Teachers in South Africa receive training in their classrooms alongside their pupils. With this approach, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and “Teach Reading for Meaning” strive to bridge the educational gap, ensuring that all children attending no-fee schools have access to a high-quality education in South Africa.

Conclusion

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation initially focused its charitable activities in the U.S. Its influence has expanded globally over time, becoming a positive change in the lives of children facing urban poverty. The foundation has never shied away from setting lofty objectives and this unshakable commitment will keep opening doors of transformation for those most in need.

– Olivia Pitrof
Photo: Freepik

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How the Regime Affects Children in North Korea

Children in North KoreaNorth Korea, once known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, bordered by Russia, China and South Korea. Formed in 1948 in the aftermath of World War II, North Korea has long been defined according to its authoritarian models of government. In the early ‘50s, North Korea’s first leader, Kim Il Sung, attempted to conquer South Korea, but an ensuing conflict with U.S. and U.N.-backed forces forced North Korea’s defeat. Since then, North Korea has typically eschewed Western influence, centralizing instead the concept of juche or self-reliance and structuring itself around a dynasty of autocratic leaders. North Korea’s current leader, Kim Jong-un, exercises supreme authority, bolstered by tight party control and the subjugation of the nation’s ranking elites.

However, economic mismanagement, inadequate food production and military overspending have hindered North Korea’s potential for growth. At the mercy of an authoritarian regime, its population of 26 million grapples with restrictions on travel, free expression and economic opportunity. According to some estimates, 60% of North Koreans live in poverty, ranking it among the poorest countries in Asia. Children in North Korea often suffer the worst, denied adequate resources and even subjected to forced labor.

Lack of Opportunity Hinders Children’s Potential

In the mid-’50s, Kim Il Sung, aiming to neutralize political opposition, implemented a country-wide class system, ranking citizens according to their perceived political loyalty. The Songbun system arrives at its determination by closely considering ancestral ties, patriotism during the Korean War and associations with South Korea or China. Those with better songbun–those more politically loyal–receive better education, health care and employment opportunities.

In the early ’90s, widespread famine and the fall of the Soviet Union necessitated that the Songbun system ease its ban on independently earned wealth. However, its emphasis on conformity still haunts North Korea’s children. Often judged according to their family history, North Korean children face a shortage of opportunities. The quality of their education and job potential suffers accordingly and many struggle to enjoy upward mobility.

Children in North Korea Are Subjected To Forced Labor

As a nominally communist country, the North Korean state tightly controls all facets of its economy, promoting state-run industries and funding military upgrades instead of resource production. To support this economic system, North Korean officials mobilize adults and school-age children to contribute to various sectors, including agriculture, mining and construction. Schools sometimes send children to complete short-term projects in fields or factories in exchange for a boost in funding. Similarly, children who are unable to join the military or whose families are too poor to bribe government officials are enrolled in military-like shock brigades, working long hours in hazardous conditions.

Vaccination Rates Have Plummeted

Hoping to counteract the spread of COVID-19, North Korean officials closed the country’s borders, stymying foreign trade. Without any influx of supplies, vaccines and other medical necessities have grown extremely limited. As the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported, North Korea’s childhood immunization coverage dropped from 97% in 2020 to 0% by 2022, risking the reemergence of diseases like measles, polio and whooping cough. Any outbreaks could strain the country’s health system, weakening its communities’ herd immunity. Without access to routine vaccination, children’s health can only suffer.

Children in North Korea Struggle Against Food Insecurity

In the ’90s, North Korea experienced a severe famine, exacerbated by the fall of the Soviet Union. Though technically recovered, the country still faces widespread food shortages, especially after closing its borders in the wake of COVID-19. Committed to a model of self-sufficiency, North Korea has turned to its agricultural resources to nourish its population despite recent drought and typhoon rains severely undercutting crop production. As a result, in 2020, UNICEF estimated that 10 million people were food insecure, with 140,000 children under 5 suffering from acute malnutrition. In some cases, families have even dropped off their children at local orphanages, hoping to ensure better care and a chance at proper nourishment.

Looking Ahead

In striving to protect children across the globe, UNICEF has maintained a presence in North Korea. In 1990, the nation signaled its support for the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a UNICEF-sponsored international agreement that protects children’s rights and freedoms. However, in many ways, North Korea has failed to maintain its promise, compromising children’s well-being through mandated labor and oppressive class systems.

As a result, UNICEF has worked to restore children’s rights, developing a strategic program that would target food insecurity, social development, sustainability and data management. Also, as COVID-19 restrictions have eased across Asia, North Korea has gradually re-opened its borders, resuming conversations with neighboring Russia and China. Hopefully, renewed trade and foreign support can direct vital resources toward children in North Korea.

Finally, a committed humanitarian and international community remains focused on North Korea’s struggles, noting the oppression of its citizens and pushing for political reform. In advocating this, UNICEF and other organizations hope to restore children’s rights, freedoms and potential for self-determination.

– Sydney Verdi
Photo: Flickr

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Healing Lives: Transforming the Livelihoods of Children in India

Children in IndiaHeal Charity shines as a beacon of hope for children in the Andhra Pradesh region of India. Child labor and school dropouts pose a significant challenge. Children are faced with increasing socioeconomic disadvantages and are often deprived of the right to health care, education and essential life skills. Founded in 1992 by Dr. Satya Prasad Koneru and managed entirely by volunteers, Heal’s goal is to impact as many disadvantaged children as possible and end the cycle of poverty.

About Dr. Satya Prasad Koneru

Prasad’s mission to end poverty in India began five decades ago. As a young medical student, he founded the People Service Society to help people experiencing poverty. The society flourished, becoming a medical center, meal service provider, book bank for disadvantaged students and rehabilitation clinic for people with disabilities. After twenty years of devoting his life to those living below the poverty line, he donated his family home to build Heal Children’s Village, an orphanage that originally housed 26 children. After more than three decades, the orphanage is home to 250 children and 16 housemothers.

Heal Children’s Village

Since its conception, Heal Children’s Village, otherwise known as Heal Paradise, has fostered the health and education of children. The comprehensive curriculum at Heal Children’s Village adopts children and empowers them with lifetime skills and knowledge. The children at Heal engage in nutritional education, financial and vocational programs and environmental and sustainability initiatives.

The nonprofit also offers reproductive health workshops, creating a supportive and safe environment for children to learn about adopting safe sexual health practices. As well as educational initiatives, Heal Paradise provides disability programs specifically for blind children.

The Elizabeth Panton-Heal Artificial Limb Center

In 2014, the initiative “built the Elizabeth Panton-Heal Artificial Limb Center (ALC) on the Heal Paradise campus, in partnership with Elizabeth’s Legacy of Hope (ELoH), to provide the health care support that poverty-stricken child amputees traditionally lack.” As of today, there are 10 million amputees in India, with amputation being notably prevalent in the impoverished communities of Andhra Pradesh. This prevalence is attributed to diseases, deformities and infected sores from a lack of shoe access. Generally, disabled children in India are five times more likely to be out of school compared to their non-disabled counterparts.

Since its establishment in 2014, the Elizabeth Panton-Heal Artificial Limb Center has been a source of long-term emotional and physical support. The center has also played a crucial role in providing vital surgeries and prosthetic limbs to 108 disadvantaged young amputees in Andhra Pradesh. The dedicated team at the Elizabeth-Panton Artificial Limb Centre consists of technicians and orthopedic surgeons, each working tirelessly to rebuild and transform the lives of child amputees. The team also hosts clinics in their mobile center for poverty-stricken children who live in rural areas outside of Paradise Village.

– Sapphire Hope
Photo: Flickr

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The Children of Guinea-Bissau and Poverty

The Children of Guinea-BissauThe small, West African country of Guinea-Bissau, comprised of 88 islands, is home to 1.8 million people. Its beautiful landscapes, pristine beaches, cultural traditions and natural source of mangoes, cashews and papayas attract tourists to its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Yet of the 873,000 children of Guinea-Bissau, 70% are living in poverty. 

Children under 5 years of age account for 291,000 of the population and face the highest risk of malnutrition, stunting and high mortality rates. Child poverty in Guinea-Bissau has a detrimental effect on a child’s future by restricting opportunity. Poverty forces children as young as 5 into work, becoming debt slaves, and into sexual exploitation, with “17% engaging in child labor.”

Health and education challenges in Guinea-Bissau limit opportunities for children due to factors such as poverty, malnutrition and cultural norms. These obstacles hinder a child’s prospects. Efforts to address period poverty are ongoing, including increased pad donations, aiming to make lasting progress in ending this issue.

High Child Mortality Rates

For children under the age of 5, malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia account for 27% of deaths, with death in the first month of infancy accounting for 43%. These diseases pose a greater risk in urban areas where only 35% of children are vaccinated.

Between 2014 and 2019, child mortality rates dropped from 8.9% to 5.1%. The COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental effect on child mortality rates, due largely to health care strikes, lack of vaccinations and essential medicines, which has left them unable to access appropriate medical care. 

Malnutrition

Child poverty in Guinea-Bissau causes wasting, affecting 5% of children under the age of 5, with 28% also having stunted growth.

Limited education around infant feeding and consuming food that is poor in nutrition, alongside preventable illnesses like diarrhea and malaria, have raised the rates of malnutrition. 

For children living in poverty in Guinea-Bissau, 40.6% of children experience stunting, and even for those with a more significant income, stunting still affects 17.8%.

Health and Access to Clean Water

Accessing pediatric care for children under 15 is difficult in Guinea-Bissau due largely to the lack of pediatricians. According to UNICEF, the country has three pediatricians for every 720,000 children, and 66% of the population has to walk at least one hour to a health center. 

In terms of health, inadequate sanitation exacerbates conditions. Approximately 84% of households lack access to soap and water for proper handwashing. In 2019, merely 18% of households could access uncontaminated water, free from fecal bacteria, while just 45% had access to water points. These challenges contribute to public health issues.

Diarrhea is the second-highest cause of death for children under 5. Inadequate access to clean water causes diseases and can lead to infection or even death. 

Children’s health is a priority with Vitamin A supplements and deworming becoming “routine activities of community health workers.”

Supported by UNICEF, the integrated management of acute malnutrition (IMAM) has created training and supplies for adequate treatment. It has opened up 78 healthcare facilities nationwide to treat malnutrition. 

Education

Guinea-Bissau Annual Country Report conducted in 2022 found that “93% of cases of children who had to repeat an educational year in primary school were strongly linked to malnutrition.” 

Guinea-Bissau’s children struggle to gain an adequate education, resulting in a lack of basic skills. Teachers are often under-trained and lack suitable knowledge and resources, resulting in substandard teaching outcomes. 

For children aged between 7-14, 88% do not have basic literacy skills, and 93% are unable to demonstrate numeracy skills, with Guinea-Bissau having “a primary education completion rate of under 30%.”

Positive Steps

The World Food Programme (WFP) is working with the Guinea-Bissau government to tackle the impact of malnutrition. 179,000 children receive hot and nutritious meals. In May 2023, WFP implemented a program to provide vegetable gardens in schools, focusing on children with special needs. The program aims to promote home-grown produce that can be used in schools. 

The WFP provides nutritious meals to children, and alongside the Social Behavior Change and Communication campaign, the organization is tackling cultural views on eating habits and locally sourced food. 

Children in Guinea-Bissau with disabilities face further challenges when accessing education. The Humanity and Inclusion U.K. has been working to make schools more accessible to disabled children, and while its education program ended in March 2022, it is working toward implementing further programs and improvements. 

The children of Guinea-Bissau face difficulties accessing health care, education and getting out of poverty. However, key steps by organizations like UNICEF, WFP and Humanity & Inclusion U.K. are creating opportunities for children to reach their full potential. With continued support and investment, there is hope for the children of Guinea-Bissau to rise above poverty and access better health care and education.

– Isabel R. Burnside
Photo: Flickr

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The Ways Leaders Work Towards Solving Child Poverty in Uruguay

Child Poverty

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), COVID-19 heavily impacted Uruguay, causing delays in addressing poverty-related issues such as education and access to health care. The government has initiated programs to compensate for the lost time, especially for children’s issues.

According to a 2022 report by Prensa Latina, 22.5% of Uruguayan children under age six live in poverty. This figure is twice the estimated rate of the general population, which is 10.7%. Humanium reports significant numbers of children have been rendered homeless or are living in slums without access to basic amenities such as clean drinking water or electricity. Many are exposed to hazardous conditions, including gang violence and child labor. Here is information about what some are doing to address child poverty in Uruguay.

A Right to Education

According to UNICEF, Uruguay has implemented the Educational Transformation program to enhance access to and quality of education. This program reduced the disparity between children of different economic backgrounds. The reform enabled educators to gain more complete training, placing qualified teachers in economically disadvantaged areas. 

Furthermore, the Digital Bridges for Educational Equity initiative facilitated learning on digital platforms, which helps overcome barriers to classroom access, including providing children with the necessary technology for it. The agenda facilitated various initiatives geared towards enhancing education at all grade levels. These include an English curriculum for secondary school students, a literacy promotion campaign and an online learning platform called Plataforma de Lengua, which offers Spanish language and literature content.

Household Income 

Numerous factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and unemployment rates, have contributed to child poverty in Uruguay. The United Nations University (UNU) reports that poverty increased 2.8% in 2020 alone. To address this issue, the Uruguayan government introduced the Asignaciones Familiares (AFAM) program in 2021, which provided unemployment insurance to those who lost their jobs. This enabled them to receive subsidies from the government to help them cope with the economic downturn, which decreased poverty by 1.6%. The AFAM program has been instrumental in mitigating the impact of unemployment on child poverty in Uruguay.

The Psychological Impact

UNU reports on the significance of the psychological ramifications of poverty on children. Children in poverty-stricken families experience feelings of shame and mental health issues, leading to disenfranchisement from attending school. This removal from the stability of an educational environment increases psychological stress, reduces future employment options and leaves children vulnerable to predation.

In response, Uruguay developed an app called GURÍ, which facilitates communication between teachers and parents, actively engaging parents in their child’s education and allowing for proper supervision of the issues they face. The efficacy of any program designed to mitigate cognitive biases in children and alter their perceptions of school is contingent upon the parents’ active engagement with the program. While governments may provide support, parents must facilitate the process for the scheme to be effective. Uruguay hopes to continue engaging parents and increasing school attendance.

Housing

The Uruguayan government increased urban housing for rural citizens, who often lack access to essential services. The United Postal Union supports the government’s efforts to address this issue by implementing an ‘addressing’ system. This system aims to transfer individuals to urban areas or provide them with accessible infrastructure in rural regions.

The Spatial Data Infrastructure (IDEuy) is a database that allocates and catalogs addresses for residents, making them eligible for support in urban areas. This strategy connects people of all economic classes, regardless of financial status, which helps increase children’s access to educational and medical support. By leveraging this system, the government is working towards bridging the gap between urban and rural areas and ensuring all citizens have access to essential services.

Conclusion

These examples illustrate Uruguay’s significant strides towards ending child poverty. The fortitude and perseverance of Uruguayans who face adversity are inspiring. With the backing of their government and the international community, substantial progress can provide children with optimal opportunities to realize their aspirations and lead healthy lives.

– Jordan Cunningham
Photo: Flickr

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Ending the Cycle of Child Poverty in Singapore Through Education

Child Poverty in SingaporeThe Republic of Singapore, a tropical island and city in Southeast Asia centered around the Malay peninsula, suffers from high rates of child poverty. Here are some facts about child poverty in Singapore and what some are doing to address it.

The Cycle of Poverty

Education is a key factor in overcoming child poverty. Children from low-income families are more likely to struggle to match their peers. In Singapore, 3% of school-age children are not proficient in reading.

Children who struggle to stay in school due to unmet financial needs have a higher risk of remaining in poverty, continuing a cycle when they have children of their own. Children who struggle with poverty are at risk of failing to achieve the core competencies necessary for growth and development. To combat this, Singapore offers financial assistance to families whose children are at risk of leaving school in order to help financially contribute to the household.

Attending libraries assists families that cannot afford to buy toys or books that are necessary to reach developmental milestones. Libraries can provide access to all educational tools. The benefits of children doing extra reading outside of school hours have been found to increase their inspiration and vocabulary skills. In Singapore, families with an annual income of around $60,000 per year struggle with obtaining educational materials for childhood learning and development.

Government initiatives toward encouraging access to education are important to end the cycle of child poverty in Singapore. Having parents who finish secondary education has been shown to increase a child’s vocabulary skills significantly—children of educated parents have an average range of 600 vocabulary words by age 3, compared to 250 words for children of uneducated parents.

Children’s Rights in Singapore

The Children’s Ordinance originated in 1927 to ensure that all children were safe from any type of poverty. In 1946, the Social Welfare Department began to raise awareness of social issues, including child poverty. The Social Welfare Department assists individuals and families struggling with finding health care, employment and affordable food. 

In 1950, efforts to protect children from neglect and abuse through community activities and youth sports leagues became the Children and Young Persons Act, giving children increased legal protection. In 1989, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child combined children’s legal access to health care, education and social services.

Education Resources

Originating in 2000, the I Can Read campaign supports literacy from home. Children enhance their language skills through an online platform that is geared to provide a school-like setting.

The nonprofit organization Kidstart supports families during the early stages of childhood development, serving children under 6 years old. Its aim is to build stronger relationships between children and parents and empower children to discover more about their communities.

My Home School supports international schooling, with a curriculum based on the Charlotte Mason method, providing in-home education to children from Kindergarten to Secondary 4.

Overcoming the Cycle of Poverty

Education is an important factor in overcoming poverty. A great resource to help fight poverty is FreeRice. It donates grains of rice to the World Food Programme for every question that participants answer correctly.

– Paige Couture
Photo: Flickr

Child Poverty in Slovakia

Minorities within Slovakia, such as the Roma population, are still facing daily struggles with poverty. Child poverty in Slovakia is evident, and children face several issues, such as abuse, lack of education and a lack of access to health care. Many children face harsh living conditions without running water, sewer systems and electricity. It is often seen that their development is harmed due to the lack of proper nutrition. The population of children in Slovakia is 1.2 million, and 19.7% are impoverished.

School in Slovakia

Although many Slovakian children do have access to schools, it is apparent that minority groups do not have the same access to education throughout the country. Often, these children of minority groups are sent to mentally handicapped schools. However, they are not seen to have symptoms of any mental or learning disabilities, therefore severely damaging their opportunity for psychological development. Reports by Eurochild show that there is a high number of high school dropouts in the Roma minority population.

Child Abuse in Slovakia

There is a significant issue with child abuse within Slovakia. For every 100,000 children, one will die of abuse. Many parents still consider abuse as a disciplinary tool. Despite significant efforts to prevent child trafficking by the Slovak government, trafficking is still a prominent problem. There are significantly low conviction rates for those caught committing crimes involving sex trafficking, and very few serve jail time after these prosecutions. 

Child Health Care in Slovakia

There is also a significant struggle for rural and minority populations to access health care. Due to a poor public transportation system, complications occur when trying to reach hospitals. There is a 9% death rate for infants and a 10% death rate for children over the age of 5. Slovakia currently struggles with a shortage of doctors, restricting many children from vitally needed care. Slovakia has some of the highest death rates from preventable mortalities within the EU. 

Child Labor in Slovakia

Although child labor is banned within Slovakia, it is still an issue. It is often seen through begging or sending young children to ask for money. Traffickers often force Roma children with disabilities to beg on the streets throughout Western Europe. Many labor traffickers exploit Slovak children in foreign countries in fields such as agriculture, manufacturing and construction. Labor effects mainly target young boys and men to carry out physically demanding tasks. Young girls are more vulnerable to domestic labor, such as cleaning or working in restaurants or massage parlors.

Looking Ahead

Although Slovakia is still battling with child poverty, the country is taking strides to counteract its struggles and better the lives of many Slovak children. The government initiated a trafficking prevention scheme, conducting public awareness campaigns about the signs of trafficking. It also issued a prevention scheme for child labor in which all worker recruitment companies were forced to register with the government, therefore limiting child exploitation. The Slovak government aims to create 170 new GP jobs between 2022 and 2026, therefore increasing the accessibility of health care.

–Elle Chipperfield 

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