Child Poverty

Article

Child Poverty as a Violation of Human Dignity under International Human Rights Law

Child poverty is a significant yet overlooked issue, impacting millions globally despite legal frameworks that recognize it as a violation of human rights. The article emphasizes that poverty affects not only the economic well-being of children but also their development and future opportunities. Various international treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, obligate governments to ensure every child’s access to essential needs like nutrition, education, and healthcare. The persistence of child poverty, particularly in the EU where over 20 million children are at risk, highlights the gap between laws and actual conditions, urging a need for political accountability and effective resource allocation to improve the lives of affected children.

Child with Rock near Coupe
Article

Breaking the Cycle: MP Esmah Lahlah on Combating Child Poverty

As the European Union prepares a new Anti-Poverty Strategy, child poverty remains one of the most pressing and persistent challenges facing the Union. Affecting nearly one in four children, poverty undermines not only material well-being but also children’s fundamental right to dignity. In this interview, Dutch Member of Parliament Esmah Lahlah reflects on the long-term consequences of child poverty and explores how law and policy at national and EU level can break entrenched cycles of disadvantage.

6th GHRD International Film Festival: Human Trafficking Edition
Submission Deadline: 9th August 2026