The Council on Child Poverty is today publishing a joint declaration supported by 62 associations, trade unions, civil society organizations and individuals: “Solidarity with children, young people and their families affected by poverty – especially in the inflation crisis!”. The poverty of young people must no longer be tolerated and political decision-makers must finally provide the necessary financial resources to combat child poverty.
For children and young people, growing up in poverty not only means an inadequate supply of everyday necessities, but also fewer educational opportunities and fewer opportunities for social participation. The current price increases mean additional, sometimes dramatic restrictions, both for families with low incomes and for social institutions.
“It is shameful that every fifth child in Germany today grows up in poverty. Especially in times of crisis, children’s welfare must not be cut back,” explains Britta Licht, HVD Federal Commissioner for Children’s Rights. “Political decision-makers at federal, state and local level must finally focus on the interests of children and young people. More money and more political solidarity are urgently needed in the areas of basic material provision, education, participation and health in order to enable all children and young people, including young people with disabilities, to grow up well.”
The joint declaration of the German Council on Child Poverty calls for decisive and targeted measures from which all children growing up in Germany can fully benefit. Social infrastructure and monetary benefits must be interlinked – and must not be played off against each other.
The complete declaration of the Child Poverty Council with all demands and the list of signatories can be found here for download.
Last year, the German Council on Child Poverty called on the federal government in the new legislative period to finally combat poverty among children and young people effectively and to enshrine decisive measures in the coalition agreement. Although politicians have not been idle, the measures taken so far are not enough. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the inflation crisis have further exacerbated the situation.
The Humanist Association of Germany has also been campaigning for many years for children’s rights to be included in the Basic Law independently of parental rights – in a way that meets the requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
