Little progress for world’s poorest children despite gains – UNICEF

A new report released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has urged urgent action and a recommitment to child rights to address age-old and emerging threats.

The report – “The Convention on the Rights of the Child at a Crossroads,” says although there have been historic gains overall for the world’s children since the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted 30 years ago, many of the poorest children were yet to feel the impact.

“In low and middle-income countries children from the poorest households are twice as likely to die from preventable causes before their fifth birthday than children from the richest households.

“According to recent available data, only half of children from the poorest households in sub-Saharan Africa are vaccinated against measles, compared to 85 percent of children from the richest households.

“Despite a decline in child marriage rates globally, the poorest girls in some countries are more at risk today than they were in 1989,” the report enumerates.

“The Convention stands at a crossroads between its illustrious past and its future potential.

It is up to us to recommit, take decisive steps and hold ourselves accountable,” the Executive Director of UNICEF, Ms Henrietta H. Fore said.

“We should take our lead from young people who are speaking up and speaking out for their rights as never before, we must act now – boldly and creatively,” she added.

As part of commemorations marking the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the report looks at the undeniable achievements of the past three decades, which is proof that where there is political will and determination, children’s lives improve.

Gains

“There have been impressive gains for children over the past three decades, as more and more are living longer, better and healthier lives. However, the odds continue to be stacked against the poorest and most vulnerable,” Ms Fore stated further.

She indicated that “In addition to the persistent challenges of health, nutrition and education, children today have to contend with new threats like climate change, online abuse and cyberbullying.

Only with innovation, new technologies, political will and increased resources will we help translate the vision of the Convention on the Rights of the Child into a reality for all children everywhere.”

According to UNICEF, Ghana, being the first country to ratify the CRC can show progress of how children’s lives have been impacted 30 years after its commitment to support child rights.

Citing progress in child rights over the past three decades, the report notes that the global under-five mortality rate has fallen by about 60 per cent while the proportion of primary-school-aged children not in school has decreased from 18 per cent to 8 per cent.

It also states that the guiding principles of the CRC – non-discrimination; the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and the right to protection – have influenced numerous constitutions, laws, policies and practices globally.