[child-rights] New study shows one billion children suffer effects of poverty

UNICEF Press release
UNICEF says more than one million children were surveyed

LONDON, 21 October 2003 - Drawing from the largest, most accurate survey
sample of children ever assembled, a new UNICEF-sponsored report has found
that over one billion children suffer the severe effects of poverty.

Using a pioneering methodology, the survey measures the extent of child
poverty, in terms not only of income, but of deprivation of basic human
rights such as shelter, food, water, sanitation, health, education and
information. The researchers analysed survey data on nearly 1.2 million
children from 46 countries collected mainly during the late 1990's.

The data is published in a new UNICEF-commissioned report entitled, "Child
Poverty in the Developing World" that was launched today at the House of
Commons in London. The research team included Dave Gordon of the Centre
for International Poverty Research at the University of Bristol and Peter
Townsend of the London School of Economics.

The results of the study show:

* One child of every three lives in a dwelling with more than five people
per room, or with a mud floor.
* Nearly 20% of the world's children do not have safe water sources or
have more than a 15-minute walk to water.
* Over 15% of children under five in the developing world are severely
malnourished. In South Asia alone, more than 90 million children go hungry
every day.
* 134 million children between the ages of 7 to 18 have never been to
school.
* Girls are more likely to go without schooling than boys. In the Middle
East and North Africa, in particular, girls are three times more likely
than boys to have never attended to school.

UNICEF says that the physical, emotional and intellectual impairment that
poverty inflicts on children can mean a lifetime of suffering and want -
and a legacy of poverty for the next generation. This cycle constrains the
overall economic and social development of a nation.

"Eradication of the worst manifestations of poverty is not only a moral
imperative," said UNICEF Executive Director, Carol Bellamy. "It is a
practical and affordable possibility - and it starts with investing in
children. No effort to reduce global poverty can succeed without first
tackling its impact on children." Bellamy went on to say that addressing
poverty means ensuring that children have access to safe water, adequate
sanitation and environments that are healthy and free of disease. All
girls and boys must be able to attend and achieve in school, and be
protected from injury, with time and space to play, to explore, and to
learn. Too often, poverty deprives children of these necessary foundations
for their future.

UNICEF believes that nurturing and caring for children are the
cornerstones of human progress and the organization works with other
partners throughout the world to overcome the obstacles that poverty,
violence, disease and discrimination place in a child's path. Breaking the
cycle of poverty requires investments by governments, civil society and
families in children's rights.

Spending on a child's health, nutrition, education, equality and social,
emotional and cognitive development is not only an investment in a more
democratic and a more equitable society, it is also an investment in a
healthier, more literate and, ultimately, a more thriving and safe
population.

* * * *

For further information please contact:
Erin Trowbridge, UNICEF New York,
+ 1 212 326 7269, etrowbridge@unicef.org
Sarah Vincent, UNICEF UK Committee,
+ 44(0)20 7405 5592, sarahv@unicef.org.uk
For copies of the report please go to:
http://www.policypress.org.uk
or call The Policy Press: 44-117-331-4054

Read the report:
Child poverty in the developing world:
http://www.unicef.org/media/files/Child_poverty.pdf



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