In recent years, Ethiopia has faced a combination of domestic and global economic shocks. Starting with the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, followed by conflict in northern Ethiopia, followed by drought in southern and eastern Ethiopia, and the conflict in Ukraine that began in February 2022, these shocks have slowed growth and development. , leading to supply disruptions. , humanitarian crises, food insecurity. These shocks are occurring with increased frequency and severity than in the past and pose a clear challenge for governments, with poverty remaining widespread and most children experiencing some form of deprivation. . Inflation averaged more than 28% in the past 18 months to January 2023, further deteriorating national well-being as rising costs of living push people (particularly children) further into poverty.
There are multiple direct, fundamental, and fundamental causes of child poverty in Ethiopia. These include underdevelopment and economic opportunities in rural areas, poor quality of education and health services, lack of investment in water and sanitation, social and gender norms, the effects of environmental degradation, population pressure on natural resources, etc. related to structural barriers. and the negative effects of climate change. Conflict and internal displacement have led to increased rates of deprivation for some children. Furthermore, these factors increase the exposure of women, girls, and boys to gender-based violence, resulting in forced rural-to-urban migration, early marriage, human trafficking, and exploitation, including commercial sex work. Negative coping mechanisms arise, such as working. Keeping in mind the direct and intergenerational effects of childhood poverty, planning effective interventions requires assessing children’s vulnerability, deprivation and poverty in culturally respectful and sensitive contexts. It requires a deep and comprehensive understanding. Social policy is needed to ensure that economic growth leads to fair and sustainable development, including for the country’s most vulnerable children. Furthermore, the political will to prioritize children in policy is essential as it needs to translate into public investment. To achieve child-focused SDG targets, Ethiopia accelerates investments to achieve child-related SDGs from $40 per capita in 2018 to $230 per capita (22.8% of GDP) in 2030 There is a need to.
Over the next 20 years, the working-age population will grow faster than the population of infants and children under 15 years of age. The economic and social benefits of this demographic shift could accelerate social and economic progress. For Ethiopia to achieve middle-income country status, evidence-based policy-making and budget management for domestic investment in Ethiopia’s women, children, and youth through redistributive and inclusive budgets, policies, and social programs is essential for Ethiopia to achieve middle-income country status. Choice becomes extremely important.
solution
of Main priorities The Social Policy Program’s efforts focus on:
- Continued generation, capacity and use of evidence in a variety of child-related and emerging fields
- Continued efforts to develop and build child-sensitive social protection systems, including comprehensive humanitarian responses.
- Accelerating investment in children and maximizing impact through public funding engagement
- Progressive realization of the disability inclusion agenda
- Advocacy and capacity building for innovative child-friendly environments