“Globally, One in every 10 children live with disability”, a new UNICEF report
According to a new UNICEF report released in October 2021 titled: Seen, Counted, Included: Using data to shed light on the well-being of children with disabilities, the number of children with disabilities globally is estimated at almost 240 million or One in every 10 children worldwide live with disabilities .
Using the latest available data, this report covers more than sixty indicators of child well-being – from nutrition and health, to access to water and sanitation, protection from violence and exploitation, and education. The report highlights those millions of children with disabilities around the globe continue to be left behind, despite the near-universal ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the call for action embedded in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the clear mandate set by the Sustainable Development Goals.
The report unearths several startling findings, including the following:
- There are 240 million children with disabilities in the world.
- Compared with children without disabilities, children with disabilities are:
- 34 per cent more likely to be stunted
- 25 per cent more likely to be wasted
- 53 per cent more likely to have symptoms of acute respiratory infection
- 24 per cent less likely to receive early stimulation and responsive care
- 25 per cent less likely to attend early childhood education
- 16 per cent less likely to read or be read to at home
- 42 per cent less likely to have foundational reading and numeracy skills
- 49 per cent more likely to have never attended school
- 47 per cent more likely to be out of primary school
- 33 per cent more likely to be out of lower-secondary school
- 27 per cent more likely to be out of upper-secondary school
- 32 per cent more likely to experience severe corporal punishment
- 41 per cent more likely to feel discriminated against
- 51 per cent more likely to feel unhappy
- 20 per cent less likely to have expectations of a better life
The report articulates that the extent to which children with disabilities are deprived, feel discriminated against, and lack hope for the future makes it clear that societies are not doing enough to realize the most basic human rights of all children. As a result, the vicious cycle of exclusion and disadvantage that leaves children with disabilities behind continues.
Including children with disabilities in all aspects of life must be a priority. Every child, everywhere, has something to offer. His or her energies, talents and ideas can make a positive difference to families, communities, and the world.
It is about time that we stop neglecting the needs of children and young people with disabilities and look to increase their inclusion worldwide by ensuring they are counted, consulted, and considered in decision-making.