Multi-dimensional Child Poverty: How multiple deprivations impact children's basic needs

In the house with corrugated iron roof in Gia Lai province, Tay and her husband struggled to reinforce the structure with fabric and boards, trying to keep the wind from seeping through the rough wooden panels. Inside, she lit a fire in her small kitchen. There was only plain rice and boiled vegetables for lunch. The family is classified as a near-poor household. They work as farmers, cultivating rice fields and taking up seasonal jobs as laborers to harvest coffee.

"We don't have many fields. I have to work as a hired labourer to raise my children and send them to school. However, our jobs are unstable," explained Tay (32 years old). She is a mother of 2 children in H’Ra commune, Mang Yang district of Gia Lai province, from Bahnar (Ba-Na) ethnic group.

There were times when they didn’t earn enough money to bring food to the table. Their family, therefore had to skip meals or have plain rice with vegetables to survive through the day. Consequently, their children suffered from inadequate nutrition, lacking the essential diet needed for healthy growth and development.

Poverty is multidimensional

In Viet Nam, like in many other countries, multidimensional poverty affects the poorest communities. This type of poverty extends beyond monetary deprivations. Children are greatly impacted by significant challenges such as inadequate nutrition, limited education, poor health conditions, restricted access to clean water and sanitation, and the looming threat of violence. These adversities greatly affect their well-being and development. The scourge of multidimensional child poverty persists stubbornly, standing at over 10% across the nation. Given the multifaceted nature of this poverty, a comprehensive approach is imperative! Addressing these daunting challenges demands more than a mere fixation on income.

Tay's husband, Thang (37 years old), tirelessly sought additional jobs whenever possible to supplement their income. "Once I finish our family's farm work, I take on seasonal jobs to make ends meet. During the coffee harvest season, I pick coffee beans, and at other times, I work in construction. If there are no available jobs nearby, I have to search for work hundreds of kilometres away from home," Thang said. Nevertheless, despite their relentless efforts, Thang found himself compelled to borrow money from relatives to meet the expenses of books, stationery, and other school fees for their eldest son, Khoi, who is in the eighth grade.

Khoi, a mature teenager, was a bit reserved but incredibly diligent both at school and at home. "I love going to school because it provides me with knowledge and opportunities for a better future. Every day, I walk 8 kilometres to school, and when it rains, the road becomes very slippery. After returning home from school, I assist my parents with cooking and washing dishes", Khoi shared. Whenever his father was away for seasonal work, Khoi took charge of collecting water for household use.

“We don't have a clean water supply at home. Whenever we need water, we have to gather it from somewhere else. We get our drinking water from underground sources in the mountains. For bathing and daily tasks, we use a well that we share with my brother's family. To fetch water, we have to walk on a slippery slope, which can be risky when it's raining. Also, the water isn't clean; it has a soil-like smell. This makes me concerned about the health of my family and my children”, Thang continued.

Their home doesn't have a proper toilet, so they must share a temporary latrine one outside with his brother's family. This can be inconvenient and challenging, especially for young children and women at night. Furthermore, the situation escalates as women and teenage girls either have to bathe clothed or wait until nightfall to use the well. This intensifies the inconvenience and presents significant challenges, especially regarding sanitation and menstrual health.

Children experience poverty differently from adults

Children depend on adults to meet their needs, and these needs evolve as they grow. Even within the same household, children may experience poverty differently, influenced by their age and gender. Khoi and his sister were deprived of essential elements crucial for their growth and potential. They lacked easy access to clean water, proper sanitation, adequate healthcare, and a sense of safety, hindering their development and potential.

To combat child poverty effectively, policymakers must embrace a comprehensive approach that covers health, education, clean water and sanitation, protection, and social inclusion. These factors are fundamental benchmarks of children's living conditions and future prospects. For instance, Khoi's arduous daily trek to school, particularly on an empty stomach, impedes his learning capacity. Deprived of proper nutrition, his cognitive skills decline, hindering his academic performance and ability to excel.

Looking ahead

Thang expressed his biggest wish for the future: "I dream of a better life with a stable job. With a consistent source of income, I can provide my children with nutritious meals and ensure they are in good shape for education and further development I also hope we can have a toilet. It would greatly improve our daily lives and convenience.” Khoi dreams of having a bicycle to make his trip to school easier. His biggest goal is to become a science teacher, firmly believing that education is the pathway to realizing his aspirations.

UNICEF is actively supporting the Government of Viet Nam in strengthening social protection systems and reducing multidimensional child poverty by formulating better policies for children. Through collaborative efforts, we aim to eradicate poverty in all its dimensions and improve the well-being of the most vulnerable children and families in Viet Nam.