Politics must finally take child poverty seriously: demands from Berlin

Politics must finally take child poverty seriously: demands from Berlin

Berlin (ots)

In Germany, the poverty of children and adolescents is an urgent topic that has not been adequately addressed for years. The advice of child poverty, an association of 51 organizations from civil society and science, has now clearly demanded that political decision -makers rethink their strategies and establish a common procedure in this area. The current system, which is characterized by a ban on cooperation between the federal government, the states and the municipalities

The effects of child poverty on quality of life and social participation are serious. Statistics show that around 20 percent of children and adolescents in Germany have been living below the poverty line for decades. An alarming fact is that the duration in which children live in poverty continuously rises. This situation is not acceptable in a wealthy country like Germany and must finally be addressed seriously.

statements by experts

The SOVD CEO Michaela Engelmeier has expressly presented the dramatic consequences of poverty for the everyday life of children. "For many children, poverty means that they have to spend their hot days in a small, stuffy children's room instead of going to the outdoor pool with friends," she explains. This reality refers to a structural problem that has been known since the first poverty and wealth report in 2000. Despite the high visibility of the topic, little has changed in terms of covering the subsistence level for children.

The design of a comprehensive social provision is indispensable from Engelmeier, especially for families with low incomes. "Kitas, schools, after -school care and youth leisure facilities must be well equipped and networked," she emphasizes. This is the only way to ensure that children have the opportunity to grow up healthy and happy regardless of their parents' financial situation.

The demands of the advice

In the current political landscape, it is crucial that the federal government, the federal states and municipalities take responsibility together. Instead of debating who is responsible for which measures and who bears which costs, the focus should be on the creation of framework conditions that enable all children to grow up under optimal conditions. Strengthening the local infrastructure is necessary to serve the needs of families.

The joint explanation of the advice of children's poverty for 2024 entitled "From the ban on cooperation to the cooperation requirement!" is published on the homepage of the national poverty conference. The demands issued therein are aimed at all political levels in order to promote the necessary cooperation and to tackle the most urgent challenges in the fight against child poverty.

summarized the need for action: The approach to child poverty must be covered. Political actors are required to rethink the existing structures and processes in order to enable the affected children to participate and the chances of a better life. The time for changes is now.