What can be done to improve life of children as we enter the third year of the Pandemic?
Akankshya Mukherjee, Mumbai Uncensored, 2nd February 2022 :
With us entering the year 2022, we also enter the 3rd year of the Pandemic and the harm done to children is evident. The record in child poverty has risen. The only progress is on routine vaccinations. There has been disruption in education for this generation.
The global community in 2022 need to re-cast the COVID 19 situation not just focusing on the virus mitigating but also its effects on the society in particular children. The consequences of school remaining closed is showing increased amount of learning loses, negatives ideas such as copying answers and a further increase compared in child labor and marriages. The main reason for this can be the lack of global cooperation, which has eventually led to a risk for the G20 to vaccinate at least 70% of the population by mid- year.
Further, this has also impacted in delayed virus containment, escape variant, and allow costs for children to accumulate. Also, inequities have been set for new forms such as access to COVID mRNA doses and boosters to remain restricted, and grant access to life-saving treatments. With an impact on climate change there have been triggered warnings about disasters, increasing rate of vulnerability and stability to a better a life can be expected.
But the youth and children have greater expression of optimism when it comes to critical analysis. For 2022 and the future present opportunities provided to them matter the most as it helps them to groom themselves capable for a work life. Taking an example of infrastructure development and technology for the pandemic can help us develop the next revolution for children’s survival.
Currently the human rights for children, is under threat it was not seen in the history for this generation. The response globally so far is inadequate and deeply unequal. As we commemorate the UN’s 75th year, reports suggests that its time to take impactful decisions especially for the future of children. Without action, the world faces a lost decade for children, leaving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) an impossible dream.
In less than two years, 100 million more children have fallen into poverty, a 10% increase since 2019.
The deep disparity in recovery from the pandemic is widening the gap between richer and poorer countries. While richer countries are recovering, poorer countries are saddled with debt and development gains are falling behind. The poverty rate continues to rise in low-income countries and least developed countries.
UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore says “The world stands at a crossroads. Do we rally and unite to protect years of progress on child rights? Or do we allow the unequal recovery from COVID-19 to further marginalize the disadvantaged and increase inequality even more? As we commemorate UNICEF’s 75th year, we will continue to strive to create a world where we open opportunities for every child. This is an ambitious undertaking that depends on new and strengthened partnerships with governments, civil society, our UN sister agencies and business. But together, we can build on the foundation of 75 years of results for children”.
