Child poverty and disparities in Niger
In September 2007, UNICEF launched a global initiative for the comparative study of childhood poverty and disparities in 40 countries, with the aim of fostering understanding on how economic and social policies can better achieve results for children. To obtain a holistic view of poverty, the studies takes into consideration various aspects of poverty, such as monetary poverty, inadequate living conditions and deprivation. UNICEF Niger undertook the study in partnership with the Ministry for Women's Affair and Child Protection, the National Institute of Statistics, the Centre International d’Etudes et de Recherches sur les Populations Africaines (CIERPA), with the support of Bristol University in the United Kingdom.
The study on child poverty and disparities in Niger shows a prevalence of monetary poverty among children of 62%. The situation is even more worrying if you consider the deprivation of essential needs: more than 9 children out of ten (92.8%) are deprived of at least one right essential to their wellbeing. This approach shows the level of vulnerability and precariousness of the children of Niger: almost 8 in 10 children are in absolute deprivation meaning are deprived of at least 2 essential rights simultaneously (16% are deprived of two rights, 35% are deprived of three rights, and 19% are deprived of four rights). Both the monetary and deprivation approach show strong disparities between regions, backgrounds and household characteristics (size, wealth and study level of parents). According to the study, efforts should concentrate on the following:
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