One of the very worrying issues that continues to negatively affect Guyana is the plight of child poverty. This sorry situation must change in this era of our national prosperity. Otherwise, it will affect the nation’s capacity to sustain national economic growth and development.
The preamble to Agenda 2030 calls multidimensional poverty “the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development”. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG )1 sets a target for halving the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions by 2030.
According to the country Office Annual Report 2021 Guyana and Suriname- Update on the context and situation of children, Guyana has a population of 746, 9552 of which 35% are children and adolescents. The Gross National Income (GNI) per capita increased from purchasing power parties US$7,136 in 2018 to PPP US$14,324. Exxon Mobil estimated that Guyana has recoverable oil resources of about 9 million barrels per day, eventually rising to 550,000 barrels per day by 2023. The increased fiscal space accords the nation an unprecedented opportunity to invest in social sectors. Since 2021, Guyana was one of the fastest growing economies in the world with GDP growth of 19.9%. This growth was mostly driven by activities in the oil and gas sector.
In Guyana, 43 % of the population live in poverty. Children from rural areas, urban poor families, indigenous communities, and other marginalised groups, are affected badly by multiple poverty- related deprivations. One such deprivations is food. A United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report: ‘Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood’, found that Guyana is among 63 countries facing severe child food poverty. The report stated that, some 20% of the country’s children are exposed to only two food groups daily while another 40% have 3 to 4 food groups and fall under the moderate child poverty category.
But, clearly, in the abundance of wealth, the plight of child poverty persists, affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands of young Guyanese, across communities, and threatening the sustainable development and future prosperity of our nation. This is an important point because, in truth and reality, there can be no sustainable prosperity in the midst of this cruel social challenge.
Therefore, it is imperative that, as we lean forward, as a nation, contemplating the varying complexities of 2024 and beyond, we consider and highlight the level of child poverty in Guyana, examine its underlying causes, and, perhaps, explore ways for meaningful change. It is true that in 2024, child poverty remains a pervasive issue in Guyana, with a large portion of the population struggling to meet basic needs such as adequate nutrition, healthcare, and education. Despite noticeable economic growth many children continue to live in households plagued by poverty, unemployment, underemployment and inadequate, inefficient and ineffective social services.
The root causes of child poverty in Guyana are multifaceted and definitely interconnected, emerging from a cocktail of economic, social, and structural factors. Persistent inequalities in income distribution, limited access to quality education and healthcare, inadequate social protection systems, and vulnerability to environmental hazards all contribute to the sustain problem of child poverty. In addition, issues such as generational and intergenerational poverty, family disruptions and breakdowns, and rural- urban disparities exacerbate the challenges faced by children and families living in poverty.
The impacts of child poverty are far-reaching and profound, affecting not only the immediate well- being and welfare of children but also the long- term social and economic development of our nation as a whole. Studies have demonstrated that children growing up in poverty are more likely to experience malnutrition, stunted growth, and chronic health conditions. These conditions can hinder their physical and cognitive development and limit their potential to succeed in school and beyond. Again, the cycle of poverty can perpetuate itself across generations, trapping families in a cycle of deprivation and marginalisation.
However, addressing child poverty requires a comprehensive and multi- dimensional approach that attacks its underlying causes and empowers children and families to break the vicious cycle of poverty. Here are a few key strategies:
First, building appropriate capacity in social protection systems to ensure that vulnerable children and families have full and fair access to essential services such as healthcare, nutrition, and education.
Second, investing in quality education and skills development programmes that provide children with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed in school and in life.
Third, creating an environment that would facilitate and promote inclusive economic growth and employment opportunities and create pathways out of poverty for disadvantaged families.
Next, providing greater access to affordable healthcare services and nutrition programmes, especially in local communities, to deal with the underlying health and nutritional needs of children living in poverty.
Finally, as a matter of policy, empower communities and foster partnerships between government, civil society, and the private sector to support families and children in poverty.
As we think about poverty, I believe that it is important to recognise that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their socio- economic background. By prioritizing investments in children’s well- being, strengthening social protection systems, and fostering inclusive growth and development, Guyana can make significant moves towards alleviating child poverty and building a brighter future for all its citizens. I believe that the multi- dimensional approach (dealing with the complexity of poverty across a range of aspects) must not be seen as a theoretical curiosum. It must be actioned by the relevant decision- makers in order to impact programmes and policies to reduce and eliminate poverty