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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How can community involvement play a role in addressing the protection gap for children’s social and emotional well-being?
**Interview with Dr. Marie-Claude Dupuis, Child Welfare Expert**
*Date: November 19, 2024*
*Location: Lorient, Morbihan*
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Dupuis. The recent UNICEF report highlights alarming statistics about the welfare of children in France. What are your immediate thoughts on these findings?
**Dr. Dupuis:** Thank you for having me. It’s disheartening to see that nearly one in five children in France don’t have access to three meals a day. This is a clear indication of a significant issue regarding food security and economic inequality. More troubling is the statistic that over 25% of these children have experienced physical violence from their peers; it really underlines the urgent need for comprehensive interventions.
**Interviewer:** The report mentions that 16.2% of children report material deprivation, and many have difficulties accessing knowledge. How do these factors interrelate?
**Dr. Dupuis:** Material deprivation often leads to a lack of basic resources that affect not just nutrition but also education. Children who don’t have enough to eat struggle to concentrate in school, and when families are economically stressed, educational opportunities often diminish. This creates a cycle of disadvantage that can be hard to break.
**Interviewer:** UNICEF’s report also discusses a “protection gap.” Can you elaborate on what this means for children’s social lives?
**Dr. Dupuis:** The protection gap refers to the insufficient measures in place to ensure children’s social and emotional well-being. For example, 7.3% of children never spend time with friends outside of school, which indicates a lack of social integration. Social interactions are vital for childhood development, and when children feel excluded, it can lead to long-term emotional and psychological issues.
**Interviewer:** As a response, UNICEF is launching a child rights observatory. How do you think this initiative can help address these challenges?
**Dr. Dupuis:** Establishing a child rights observatory is a vital step towards better monitoring and advocacy for children’s rights. It can provide a platform for collecting data, raising awareness, and ultimately influencing policy changes. Continuous oversight can help to ensure that children’s voices are heard, which is crucial for creating targeted interventions that meet their needs.
**Interviewer:** With International Children’s Rights Day approaching, what message do you believe we should focus on to improve the situation for children in France and beyond?
**Dr. Dupuis:** We must recognize that ensuring the rights of children is not just the responsibility of the state but of society as a whole. Every child deserves access to food, education, and a safe environment to grow up in. We should advocate for systemic changes that address these basic needs while fostering an inclusive culture that supports all children, particularly the most vulnerable.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Dupuis, for your insights on this critical issue.
**Dr. Dupuis:** Thank you for shining a light on these important topics. It’s crucial we continue to work towards a society where every child can thrive.
