If the state of economy wasn’t pitiful enough, here’s some sad news. In a recent survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and The Lancet, it was found that countries aren’t doing enough to safeguard their children. The survey which took into account 180 countries, India figures 131 on the list in terms of flourishing and 87 when it came to sustainability.
The report titled A Future for the World’s Children? reveals that countries aren’t doing enough when it comes to protecting their children from climate change, providing adequate healthcare, and ensuring that mental and physical health needs are being taken care of.
“Despite improvements in child and adolescent health over the past 20 years, progress has stalled, and is set to reverse,” said former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Co-Chair of the Commission, Helen Clark. “It has been estimated that around 250 million children under five years old in low- and middle-income countries are at risk of not reaching their developmental potential, based on proxy measures of stunting and poverty. But of even greater concern, every child worldwide now faces existential threats from climate change and commercial pressures. Countries need to overhaul their approach to child and adolescent health, to ensure that we not only look after our children today but protect the world they will inherit in the future,” she added.
The study found that children from Norway, Republic of Korea and the Netherlands have high chances of surviving as well as have overall wellbeing. Children from Niger, and other parts of Central Africa will be the most affected. And thanks to developed countries and the amount of greenhouse gases they produce, it’s affecting the world in totality.
Instead of divisive politics, let’s hope our lawmakers decide to wake up and focus on the future. While the government might have the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, it’s important to focus on child nutrition, maternal healthcare.
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