PROGRESS ON CHILDREN’S WELL-BEING Centering Child Rights in the 2030 Agenda

 

Since children are the community's future, their welfare has a significant impact on how the world will develop in the future. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by the international community in 2015, marking a significant step towards ensuring a better future for children. 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are included in this ambitious plan, which aims to address several global issues such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. Goal 3 of these aims to guarantee the well-being of children in particular; however, many other goals are closely related to the rights and well-being of children.

Equality and non-discrimination are central 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims to reach the most disadvantaged people first and leave no one behind. This fundamental principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development represents an international commitment by all countries to guarantee that every person lives in a sustainable environment in which their rights and well-being are protected. It is essential for us to prioritize children's rights in our pursuit of sustainable development, as doing so can end detrimental cycles of poverty and ongoing violations of human rights. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) opens a path to long-term, structural, and systemic change for every child because they are interdependent and connected.

Child Rights in the 2030 Agenda

Children's rights should be completely respected, and achieving sustainable development depends on ensuring their well-being, in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The explicit goal of Goal 3, "Good Health and Well-Being," is to guarantee that every child lives, thrives, and fully develops as possible. However, there are numerous goals that are connected to the rights and well-being of children; they are not confined to just one. Let's examine a few of the main areas that are seeing development:

1. Child Mortality

The rate at which children die is one of the most important measures of children's well-being. There has been a steady decline in the under-five mortality rate worldwide. The rate decreased to 38 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019 from 93 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990. Although there are still challenges in areas like South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with greater rates of child mortality, this is still a noteworthy accomplishment.

2. Access to Education

For children's well-being, achieving "Quality Education," Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda, is essential. The UNESCO Institute for Statistics data indicates that significant advancements have been made in expanding educational access. By 2019, there were only 59 million primary school-age children out of school, down from an estimated 102 million in 2000. But getting an education isn't the only issue—access to high-quality education is still a problem in many areas.

3. Child Poverty and Inequality

Improving children's well-being primarily involves reducing child poverty and addressing inequality. UNICEF estimates that 385 million children lived in extreme poverty in 2018, down from 394 million in 2017. Even with the advances, the problem is still complicated and has differences both within and between nations.

4. Child Protection

A vital component of children's rights and welfare is child protection. Reducing child marriage and child Labor has made progress. Since 2000, there have been 94 million fewer child laborers worldwide, and the number of child marriages has also dropped. Millions of children are still abused and exploited, though, which highlights the need for additional efforts in this area.

5. Nutrition and Health

Malnutrition is still a significant challenge. The World Health Organization estimates that 47 million children under the age of five died of malnutrition (too thin for their height) and 144 million stunted (too short for their age) in 2020. The long-term effects of these conditions may be detrimental to children's health. However, by supporting nutrition-sensitive programs, campaigns like the Scaling Up Nutrition movement are attempting to address this problem.

 

Challenges and the Way Forward

Even though the 2030 Agenda has made great strides toward improving children's well-being, a few obstacles still need to be addressed. These include differences both within and between nations, the effects of war and natural disasters on children, and new issues like the digital divide and mental health.

To address these challenges, governments, NGOs, and international organizations must work together to prioritize children's rights and well-being. Here are some key strategies:

§  Investment in Education: Ensuring access to quality education is crucial. This includes providing adequate resources, trained teachers, and safe learning environments.

§  Social Protection: Implementing social protection programs can reduce child poverty and address inequalities. Cash transfer programs have been effective in supporting families and children in need.

§  Healthcare and Nutrition: Expanding access to healthcare services, immunizations, and nutrition programs is essential to improving children's health and well-being.

§  Child Protection: Strengthening child protection systems and addressing child labor, child marriage, and violence against children must remain a priority.

§  Data and Monitoring: Improved data collection and analysis are necessary to measure progress accurately and identify areas that require further attention.

Conclusion

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has significantly advanced the cause of children's well-being by placing their rights at the centre of the global development agenda. Progress has been made in reducing child mortality, improving access to education, and addressing issues like child poverty and child protection. However, challenges persist, and new concerns are emerging.

The path forward involves continued collaboration between governments, civil society, and international organizations to ensure that children's rights are upheld, and their well-being is safeguarded. Only by staying committed to the 2030 Agenda and its goals can we secure a better future for all children, fulfilling the promise of a world where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.