The Global Study on Child Poverty and Disparity Influencing Policy First National Symposium on Child Poverty in Yemen November 2008 Alberto Minujin The New School University, New York Kurukulasuriya Sharmila

The objective of the child poverty study What do we want to do? Aim to influence local, national and global policy processes in order that –decision-making and planning processes, and –policy dialogue and debates –at the relevant national, regional, international levels are oriented towards the reduction of child poverty and the realization of children’s and women’s rights

 Generate new country level evidence  Strengthen partnerships, networks  Mobilise national interest in child poverty work  Focus on children left behind  Target key decision makers  ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGE Value-added THE GLOBAL STUDY: Translating evidence-based analysis and partnerships into results for children

What is evidence-based advocacy? Three strands of work Evidence Analysis Advocacy Enrich, expand, analyze available information (quantitative qualitative and other), Relate evidence to existing policy & law, conduct analyses on children’s and women’s rights, arrive at policy positions and options Based on evidence & analysis, contribute to development planning and policy debates, influence national / global policy agendas

Launch of the Global Study  Launched in September 2007– initial results  received in June  Child poverty from two perspectives: outcomes  and policy with a focus on children left behind  National ownership and Independence in Analysis  Linking people with complementary expertise and shared interests and goals  National, Regional and Global Analyses A New Initiative

Child Poverty Network Who stands behind the work…. 45 Participating Countries with a network of over 600 members: Government Ministries - National Statistics Offices - Academia Think tanks – NGOs - UN Agencies - UNICEF

Measuring Child Poverty

Continuum of Deprivation and Child Poverty E. g. : Children who have never been to school Children in dwellings with more than five people per room Children whose heights and weights are 3 SD below the norm

Thresholds Severe nutrition deprivation: children whose heights and weights for their age were more than -3 standard deviations below the median of the international reference population i.e. severe anthropometric failure. Severe water deprivation - children who only had access to surface water (e.g. rivers) for drinking or who lived in households where the nearest source of water was more than 30 minutes away (e.g. indicators of severe deprivation of water quality or quantity). Severe deprivation of sanitation facilities – children who had no access to a toilet of any kind in the vicinity of their dwelling, e.g. no private or communal toilets or latrines. Severe health deprivation – children who had not been immunised against any diseases or young children who had a recent illness involving diarrhoea and had not received any medical advice or treatment. Severe shelter deprivation – children in dwellings with more than five people per room (severe overcrowding) or with no flooring material (e.g. a mud floor). Severe education deprivation – children aged between 7 and 18 who had never been to school and were not currently attending school (e.g. no professional education of any kind). Severe information deprivation – children aged between 3 and 18 with no access to, radio, television, telephone or newspapers at home.

Child poverty by region circa 2000 Estimate of child poverty using direct method of social deprivation consistent with human rights approach Measurement of poverty using direct method helps to focus interventions

Child poverty by type of deprivation, MENA circa 2000

Child poverty by country, MENA circa 2000 Note: Iraq data for 2000

Child poverty in MENA circa 2000 Note: Iraq data for 2000

Income poverty (2us$) underestimates child poverty circa 2000 Sources: Gordon et al, Child poverty in the Developing World World Bank, World Development Indicators

Social Justice Child rights Policy analysis framework Breaking the poverty cycle Estimating and analyzing child poverty Poverty Reduction Starts with Children Making poverty reduction sustainable Disparity Matters Ensuring resources and transparency Budget Initiatives Policy issues and interventions Basic Social Services & Social Protection Child and family protection Legislative and Institutional reform

What can be done? Evidence and Analysis Estimate child poverty and deprivation Estimate child disparities by wealth, gender, regions, ethnic group se MICS, DHS & others Use MICS, DHS & others Analyze characteristics and causes of child poverty ualitative methods /participatory app. Qualitative methods /participatory app.

What can be done? Advocacy and Communication Child situation brief Regional / national state of children Partnership with universities / research centers/religious groups

What can be done? Policy Use evidence, analysis, advocacy and partnerships to leverage policies and resources for children’s and women’s rights Map, analyze and monitor policies

Conclusions Measuring child poverty allows us to make inferences about policy issues It is possible to complement the deprivation measurement of child poverty with an income- based measurement and other approaches We can influence the nature of policy dialogue