Protect for the future

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have done much to galvanise support for health, education and poverty alleviation in the developing world, and, ten years on from their inception, progress has been made against several of the MDG targets. However, in many parts of the world the poorest and most vulnerable are still unable to gain their basic rights to survival and education, and concerns have been raised that, without a change in approach, many MDG targets will not be met by 2015. The evidence presented in this report clearly shows that the widespread abuse of children’s rights to care and protection is in part responsible for hindering progress against the MDGs. These rights include a recognition of the central importance of family-based care for child wellbeing, and children’s right to be free from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect. The impact of failing to address these rights on the MDGs is most clearly seen in relation to MDGs 1-6:

MDG 1 : A lack of attention to the poverty, neglect and discrimination faced by the millions of children in extended family care, in institutions, in prison, on the streets or in inadequate parental care is preventing equitable progress in reducing extreme poverty and hunger. Poorly designed social protection systems are at best failing to reach children without adequate care and protection, and at worst actively encouraging family separation or child labour.

MDG 2 and 3 : Education for all will not be achieved unless the current widespread exclusion of young married girls and children in extended family care, prison or work is addressed. Education planners have not done enough to address violence in schools or ensure that inclusive education extends to children without adequate care and protection.

MDG 4 : Child mortality will continue to disproportionately affect girls unless their routine neglect in some cultures is challenged. The widespread and growing institutionalisation of children continues to make millions of young children more vulnerable to an early death. Currently, there is chronic under-investment in the childcare reform and child protection systems needed to address this neglect, abuse and inappropriate residential care.

MDGs 5 and 6 : Stopping sexual abuse in families, and particularly for the millions of children without parental care, and preventing early marriage is essential for stemming the spread of HIV and preventing girls from becoming mothers at an early age when the risks of maternal and child mortality are highest. Many children without adequate care and protection are unable to access reproductive health services due to stigma and discrimination.