1 in 6 children are struggling in poverty in Australia right now - we can end it.

When we think of kids living their childhoods, we probably all imagine the joy and wonderment children are meant to feel as they grow. We expect that kids get to cuddle teddy bears, have bedrooms filled with toys, enough clothes to wear, opportunities to join sports or other activities that interest them and have good nourishing food at the dinner table.

The figure of 1 in 6 children live in poverty in Australia, I realise it is probably not a figure well known across the Australian population. One of the reasons for this is we currently don't have an 'official' poverty line in Australia. What constitutes poverty is debated therefore but it is largely now described in terms of 'material things' people may not have access to but there are also the 'non-material' things we need to consider. So what is the difference and what does it mean for our nations kids living in poverty?

Material poverty means children may not have the physical resources they absolutely need such as sufficient food, clothing, access to healthcare and stable and safe housing. Non-material poverty is lack of access to opportunity such as consistent access to school and school activities, community activities such as the chance to learn a new skill in sport, music or other interests. But increasingly poverty is also not having access to things like technology.

For #antipovertyweek my well respected colleague Doug Taylor , CEO of The Smith Family, wrote about how digital devices and reliable internet are essential for young people - most importantly for their education. Doug is right in saying "without these tools, their learning and social development can suffer, impacting their future careers and well-being — only deepening disadvantage." I encourage you to read his reflection.

Life Without Barriers is a national provider of services for children and young people?and we know first-hand some of the challenges children can face early on. Children in child protection are highly vulnerable to the impacts of poverty and the intergenerational issues and trauma that come from it.

Anti-poverty week?has always been a strong week of collaboration and partnership to end poverty and this year we joined?the ‘End Child Poverty' campaign. This means we are united in national action calling on all Governments, at all levels, to legislate an end to child poverty in Australia. Our purpose over the next week and into the future is to help Australians understand child poverty and to take collective action to end it. Housing policies, state education policies, welfare policies - these all impact how children can be supported to live free from poverty. It is time we really started as a nation to think about the big picture for our generations and make changes that will impact children now and for the future.

I believe all Australians are committed to all children being able to thrive in childhood. Ending child poverty requires systemic policies to be permanently set in law, so we can change the generational cycle of all poverty forever. Finally, and most importantly of all, we must ask children how they experience poverty which will inform governments and community on how best to respond, ensuring children are seen in their own right. All forms of poverty deny children their human rights because they are completely reliant on adults to ensure those rights are upheld.

Learn more about the campaign here www.endchildpoverty.com.au?and please join in sharing information about the realities of child poverty and Antipoverty week with your networks. As we head into a Federal election next year, we can work together to bring this issue into the national frame and advocate for policies that benefit all children to live free from poverty.

#endpoverty #everchildcanthrive #antipovertyweek #endchildpoverty