Social inclusion
UNICEF focuses on the critical impact social and economic policy issues have on children.
The challenge
In Pacific Island Countries, around 40 percent of children are at risk of falling below the poverty line.
The poorest children are from households that are highly vulnerable to shocks including natural disasters, which in turn, tends to push them below the poverty line without enough support for social assistance.
While social and economic policies across the Pacific are increasingly addressing the rights of children, and other vulnerable groups in many cases, issues including social assistance only offering partial protection against increasing poverty is still a concern.
Problems persist due to human resources constraints as well as the lack of sound development of policies, plans and budget. Data is often lacking meaning it is difficult to target the most vulnerable communities in the most efficient and effective ways.
The solution
UNICEF is engaging young people to participate in shaping the country’s future.
UNICEF Pacific helps the governments in strengthening their capacity to ensure social protection for the poor and vulnerable through:
- Using evidence through regular surveys in influencing national policy development, planning and budgeting in favour of the most vulnerable children;
- Updating the administrative information systems especially in areas including education, health, WASH and child protection;
- Helping the Pacific Island Countries in using these information for reporting and monitoring on child rights which is then checked against international human right treaties.