2024-11-19 00:11:00
A classroom in a college in Lorient (Morbihan), in September 2024. LOIC VENANCE / AFP
Unicef alert on the material and social deprivations of younger generations in France. One in five children do not eat three meals a day in France and more than one in four have suffered physical violence from other children, according to the results of a consultation carried out among 20,000 young people aged 6 to 18 years old by the UN agency, which announces the creation of a child rights observatory.
According to this consultation, the results of which were published Tuesday, November 19 on the eve of International Children’s Rights Day, 16.2% of children and adolescents surveyed say they experience material deprivation and 25.7% have access difficulties. to knowledge.
In detail, 22.8% of the children surveyed eat less than three meals a day, 11.9% only eat meat, fish or an egg (or the protein equivalent) once a week (or less often). ). And 11% eat fruits and vegetables only once a week (or less often).
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“Protection gap”
Some 7.3% say they never spend time with friends outside of home and school, 10.9% can’t have a party for their birthday or other event, and 7.1% say they never spend time with friends outside of home and school. can never invite friends to where they live.
“These deprivations, often cumulative, generate a deep feeling of exclusion among these children and adolescents, who feel constrained by a deviation from the norm, without necessarily being plunged into absolute distress”notes the UN organization.
Another point noted by Unicef, the “protection gap” with 31.3% of young participants confiding that they have already suffered insults, hurtful teasing, or verbal violence, whether from other children or adults.
Act “urgently”
More than one in four children have suffered physical violence from other children or adolescents (30%) and more than one in ten children are affected by violence committed by adults (13.1%).
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In total, 30.6% of young people over 13 years old surveyed indicate that they have already thought about suicide, and 6.2% confide that they have had sexual intercourse when they did not want to, specifies Unicef.
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In this context, Unicef urges the government to act “urgently to protect the rights of children and guarantee their development in a fairer society”.
At the same time, the organization announces the creation of a child rights observatory, a digital platform centralizing “reliable statistics” on this issue, in order to enable the development of public policies “more effective” towards the youngest.
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What are the implications of food insecurity on children’s physical and mental development according to Dr. Claire Dupont?
**Interview with Dr. Claire Dupont, Child Welfare Expert at UNICEF France**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Dupont. UNICEF’s recent report raised significant concerns about the living conditions of children in France. Can you summarize the key findings of this consultation?
**Dr. Dupont:** Thank you for having me. The report revealed alarming statistics regarding the well-being of children aged 6 to 18 in France. Notably, one in five children does not have access to three meals a day, and over a quarter have experienced physical violence from peers. Approximately 16.2% suffer from material deprivation, which combines issues like food access and educational difficulties.
**Editor:** These figures are quite troubling. What specific forms of material deprivation did the children report?
**Dr. Dupont:** Among the children surveyed, 22.8% reported eating less than three meals a day. Additionally, 11.9% consume protein sources like meat or fish only once a week or less, and 11% eat fruits and vegetables at the same low frequency. This inadequate nutrition can have serious implications for their physical and mental development.
**Editor:** Beyond material deprivation, the report also indicates social isolation among these children. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Dupont:** Yes, one of the concerning aspects is social isolation. 7.3% of children reported never spending time with friends outside of school, and significant numbers indicated they couldn’t celebrate birthdays or invite friends to their homes. This social deprivation contributes to a feeling of exclusion, which can have long-lasting impacts on their self-esteem and mental health.
**Editor:** UNICEF mentions a “protection gap.” What does this term refer to in the context of these findings?
**Dr. Dupont:** The “protection gap” refers to the disconnect between children’s rights and their lived realities. Many children are experiencing multiple layers of deprivation that lead to feelings of exclusion and different forms of suffering, which can further entrench inequities. Essentially, many children are not receiving the protections and opportunities they are entitled to under international conventions on children’s rights.
**Editor:** What actions does UNICEF plan to take in response to these findings?
**Dr. Dupont:** In response, UNICEF is establishing a child rights observatory that aims to monitor conditions affecting children and advocate for policies that address these issues. We emphasize the importance of collaborative efforts among government bodies, communities, and families to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, both materially and socially.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Dupont, for your insights. This is a critical moment for our society to reflect on the well-being of our younger generations.
**Dr. Dupont:** Thank you for bringing attention to this important issue. It is essential that we act now to support the most vulnerable among us.