The pandemic left another 16 million children in poverty

The covid-19 pandemic has left another 16 million children and young people in poverty in Latin America and caused a 20-year decline in poverty indicators.

This was stated in an interview with EFE by the regional adviser for social policy for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef). Mónica Rubio, during a visit to Asunción.

blonde convinced that in 2018 the frequency of poverty was 38.2% in the population aged 0 to 18, which increased to 46.5% as a result of the crisis caused by covid-19.

“There are approximately 87 million poor children and adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to UNICEF and Save the Children estimates, the covid-19 pandemic has pushed 15.9 million children and adolescents into poverty”he commented.

As a result of the crisis caused by covid-19, Rubio noted a “fragmentation” in the approach to social protection in the region, i.e. those programs and policies against unemployment, lack of education or that guarantee health.

The effect of that fragmentation A difference is made between those who have a formal job and those who work informally, he assured.

Formal employment, he said, ensures protection with health insurance, family allowances and access to pension, something informal workers do not have.

As an example, the expert mentioned that 60.8% of families in Latin America meets the material and nutritional needs of children, youth and young people from 0 to 24 years old with its own financial resources.

Of this total amount, 17.9% is financed by the state, according to data from Unicef.

In contrast, he pointed out that in countries like Finland The state finances 49.1% of the consumption of children, adolescents and young people.

“From maternity leave, paternity leave, family transfer programs for children, child care services, public schools, quality public health care. All of this is a commitment to social protection”he expressed.

In this context, it considered that “Ending child poverty is a public policy decision that brings productivity and growth into the future.”

He even declared himself “It is a public policy decision to avoid” that “a boy has to work or a girl prostitutes herself to eat.”