Urgent Need to Build Universal Social Protection for Children

Direct Link to Full 136-Page ILO & UNICEF Publication: wcms_869602.pdf (ilo.org)

Although there are approximately 2.4 billion children aged 0–18 years worldwide, this report presents effective coverage data for those aged 0–15 years, which equates to 2 billion children in this age group; of these, 1.46 billion enjoy no effective social protection coverage. Furthermore, in this report, the use of “0–18 years” applies to all children aged from zero up until their 18th birthday. The use of 0–15 years refers to all children aged from zero up until their 15th birthday. Key messages on the state of social protection for children u The positive impacts of social protection for children are beyond question. Extensive evidence shows that child-sensitive social protection reduces poverty while also contributing to income security in households, with broader significance for child health, education and food security and protection.

There are 2.4 billion children in this world who all need adequate social protection. However, today, children are still twice as likely as adults to live in poverty. Over 800 million children are living on less than US$3.20 a day, 1.3 billion children are living on less than US$5.50 a day and over a billion are living in multidimensional poverty – deprived of key dimensions of childhood such as health, education and nutrition. The impacts on children are both immediate and lifelong – heightening rights violations such as child labour and child marriage, and diminishing children’s aspirations and opportunities.

Извор: WUNRN – 02.03.2023