Kathmandu, April 1
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its exponential growth, it is essential to support working families to minimise negative consequences for children, UNICEF, ILO and UN Women said in a joint press release issued today.
Job loss, school closures, and unavailability of childcare mean that families, especially those in low-income households, need extra support.
“The fallout from the pandemic — job losses, prolonged stress and a deterioration of mental health — will be felt by families for years to come,” said UNICEF Chief of Early Childhood Development Dr Pia Rebello Britto. “For the most vulnerable children, the absence of adequate social protection systems exacerbates their exposure to the crisis.”
Children below the age of 10 years represent the poorest age subgroup in Nepal, according to the Nepal Multidimensional Poverty Index 2018. “In Nepal, a child’s protection and development is strongly correlated with multiple socio-economic deprivations, including access to services and exposure to violence and exploitation. COVID 19 will further exacerbate these vulnerabilities especially among the poorest and most marginalised households,” said UNICEF Nepa Representative, Elke Wisch. “Now, more than ever, family and child-friendly employment practices in the private and public sectors, as well as social protection measures adapted to this evolving situation,will be critical to protect children and their families from the most detrimental fallout of the pandemic.”
Family-friendly policies and practices, including employment and income protection, paid leave to care for family members, flexible working arrangements and access to quality, emergency
Read the full story on The Himalayan Times
The post Working families need more support as novel coronavirus contagion takes hold: UNICEF, ILO, UN Women appeared on Nepal123.com.
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