UN report highlights Kiwi children ‘left behind’ in poverty

UN report highlights Kiwi children ‘left behind’ in poverty

Thursday, April 20th, 2023

Persistent child poverty rates in Aotearoa New Zealand signal a failure to recognise the legal rights of the child consistent with the Articles of the UN Convention, according to a report by Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG).

CPAG is concerned groups of children have been ‘left behind’ in recent attempts to reduce poverty, and more needs to be done.

Also, there is no comprehensive ‘code of compliance’ to ensure new legislation is consistent with the provisions and principles of the UN Convention.

“We acknowledge steps taken in recent years to reduce child poverty, but there remain significant inequities in child poverty rates for Māori, Pasifika, children with a disability and children of sole parents,” report author Dr Dana Wensley said.

Consideration should be given to strengthening domestic law and policy to incorporate the UN Convention, particularly in relation to ‘best interests of the child’, the Social Security Act, and the Working for Families Package, she added. Read more

Related Posts:

Additional reading

News category: New Zealand, News Shorts.

Tags: Child Poverty, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)

Analysis and Comment
- Fifth Gospel Living – book review
  
  Simple, sweet, sometimes heart-breaking, and always invigorating, Fifth Gospel Living is the latest publication from Fr John O’Connor and his Food for Faith ministry. It comprises stories of personal encounters with God. The 96 reflections are the result of a Read more
- Treaty of Waitangi should be considered as a covenant relationship
  
  A hīkoi opposing the Treaty Principles Bill has made its way to Wellington. Those who took part in the hīkoi, along with supporters around the country, both Māori and non-Māori, consider the Bill to be a betrayal of the commitments Read more
- There is reliable evidence social media harms young people – debates about it are a misdirection
  
  The Australian government is developing legislation that will ban children under 16 from social media. There has been a huge public debate about whether there is sufficient direct evidence of harm to introduce this regulation. The players in this debate Read more
- Christianity stands on threshold of new Reformation
  
  Keynote speaker Tomáš Halík (pictured) a leading Catholic intellectual and author from the Czech Republic, says Churches must transcend national, religious, cultural boundaries A new reformation for the 21st century must transcend “the current forms and boundaries of Christianity,” resist Read more

Search CathNews

Search for:
CathNews
is free

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:
Great Reads