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Global archive: UNICEF report on wellbeing

Eliminate discrimination and create more opportunities

The survival and wellbeing of children could be massively improved by the elimination of gender discrimination and through the empowerment of women, according to a new report by UNICEF called, The State of the World’s Children 2007.

It highlights the facts that females are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS; still earn less money than men for equal work in many parts of the world and that millions are subjected to physical and sexual violence, with little recourse to justice. This combination of poverty, violence and ill health has a profound influence on the lives of children, as well as women, the study says.

It goes onto show that children have better nutrition, health and education when women have a greater role in making decisions for their families. And while higher education levels among women correlate with improved outcomes for child survival and development, the research reveals that girls are still less likely to attend school or to complete primary education due to discrimination.

These findings support UNICEF’s statement that gender equality produces what it calls a ‘double dividend’ that benefits both women and children.

UNICEF presents seven key interventions to enhance gender equality which involve measures to improve girls’ education, better financing for government plans to end gender discrimination and legislation to give women the same legal rights as men. Other recommendations deal with women empowering women, the need to engage men and boys and the importance of more accurate research and data.

For further information visit the UNICEF website at: www.unicef.org

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