The Children’s Policy and Funding Initiative seeks to elevate critical issues affecting young people globally and to influence the U.S. government to treat these issues as a top priority in U.S. diplomacy, policy, and foreign assistance. Around the world, the pandemic has intensified the threats young people face, especially violence, sexual abuse and exploitation, learning loss, food insecurity and poverty.
Research is clear. Children's exposure to such severe abuse, insecurity, isolation, and trauma can have longterm consequences on their physical, psychological, and social well-being and lead to broader economic and security consequences for societies and nations.
More than ever, investments in children and young people are critical for our future. The U.S. Government is an important provider of assistance globally. However, the unique needs of children, adolescents, and youth are too often overlooked in policy and funding decisions; and young people from marginalized communities are at even greater risk of exclusion. A government-wide approach is needed that systematically and intentionally explores and acts on the needs of children and youth as a top priority in U.S. policy, programming, and funding decisions.
- The pandemic has dramatically increased violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, including online. Compounding the dangers, 1.8 billion children live in 104 countries where violence prevention and response services have been disrupted due to COVID-19; and 6,000 children under five could die a day – more than 4 per minute – due to direct impacts of COVID-19 (UNICEF).
- An estimated 10 million additional child marriages may occur as a consequence of COVID-19. (UNICEF)
- A minimum of 5 million children have lost a parent or caregiver due to the COVID-19 pandemic, dramatically increasing orphanhood and insecurity. (CDC) (Imperial College of London, October 2021)
- 1.5 billion children were affected by school closures and at least 1 in 3 of the world’s schoolchildren—463 million children globally—were unable to access remote learning when COVID-19 shuttered their schools. (UNESCO)
- 85% of the world’s children live in places most vulnerable to climate change’s worst impacts. (UNICEF)
- There are now 1.5 billion youth in the world, over half of the world's population and a majority demographic in many countries. (USAID)
- Identity factors often augment risks. Girls, boys, LGBTQ+, young people with disabilities, racial minorities, and others from marginalized communities face distinct and multiple threats.
Research is clear. Children's exposure to such severe abuse, insecurity, isolation, and trauma can have longterm consequences on their physical, psychological, and social well-being and lead to broader economic and security consequences for societies and nations.
More than ever, investments in children and young people are critical for our future. The U.S. Government is an important provider of assistance globally. However, the unique needs of children, adolescents, and youth are too often overlooked in policy and funding decisions; and young people from marginalized communities are at even greater risk of exclusion. A government-wide approach is needed that systematically and intentionally explores and acts on the needs of children and youth as a top priority in U.S. policy, programming, and funding decisions.
