Social protection
For every child, a fair chance to live free from poverty and exclusion
Context
Maldives is a success story by many standards.
Economic growth in past decades and strategic investments in children and young people led to the achievement of critical global development targets: Poverty was reduced; universal primary and lower secondary education was achieved; and many life-threatening diseases were eliminated.
But hard-won success can slip away in times of crisis. For Maldives, creating shock-proof systems that protect the country’s significant accomplishments is essential to prepare for the future – the country’s future and the future for every child.
Challenges
Despite significant spending on social service programmes, far too many children and young people have been left behind. Disparities remain in access to critical services, including education and health, especially between Male’ and the remote islands. Children and young people with disabilities, in particular, require interventions that help them engage in the world and fulfil their potential.
Multidimensional poverty
Though the monetary poverty rate in Maldives hovers at around 8 per cent, many children and young people experience multiple other kinds of deprivation. Some miss out on healthcare and internet access. Some live in overcrowded conditions with no space to study, learn and grow.
In Maldives, 33 per cent of children experience this kind of deprivation – multidimensional poverty.
Lack of services on remote islands
Communities in Maldives are scattered across more than 180 islands. Though some communities have access to social protection services, there are some island communities where access lags. The result is that children and young people miss out on upper-secondary education, primary healthcare and social safety net schemes aimed at protecting children and young people from poverty in all its forms.
Children with disabilities
Meeting the needs of children and young people with disabilities – and their families – is complicated by gaps in information and services. Understanding where children and young people with disabilities live and ensuring early screening and intervention can help ensure they are not left behind.
UNICEF in action
UNICEF Maldives works with government and community leaders to put the most vulnerable children and young people at the heart of decisions about how to allocate resources.
We provide technical support for the systems that can identify children missing out, and we offer guidance on methods for reaching them.
We provide support for leaders and systems to make sure no child is left behind. One of our main goals is to help bring critical services closer to children and communities.
The child cannot be divided. To truly protect and nurture them, we must work together on an integrated and holistic approach.
