While experts from the Committee on the Rights of the Child are studying the case of France, the Unicef France committee has just published, with the support of partner associations, a report entitled “Every child counts. Everywhere, all the time”.
This report, which has just been submitted to the United Nations, deals in particular with the consequences of the economic crisis on children. In particular, it reveals that nearly 3 million children live below the poverty line in France, i.e. 1 in 5.
“Of course, it is much better to be born and grow up in France than in many other countries, as our country devotes colossal financial resources and provides considerable efforts to offer the greatest number of children a living environment. benevolent “, explains Michèle Barzach, president of Unicef France. “For all that France fails in part with regard to childhood and youth and they are the most weakened by poverty, social exclusion, discrimination but also by this very special period that is adolescence. , who pay the heaviest price “.
9,000 children in slums
Between 2008 and 2012, 44,000 additional children plunged with their families below the poverty line in France. 31,000 of them are homeless, a quarter of the homeless population, and 9,000 live in slums. “Our report is a cry of alarm which should urge the French authorities to act urgently and more efficiently for each child,” insists Michèle Barzach.
The report also emphasizes the situation of unaccompanied migrant children or living in slums. Deprived of their fundamental rights in terms of health, housing, education and protection, victims of discrimination, they are among the most vulnerable living on French territory.
In conclusion, Unicef makes 36 recommendations for the attention of the French authorities to advance the application of the International Charter of the Rights of the Child in the various most critical areas.
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