Vulnerabilities among children of rag ‐pickers: Examining health inequalities in the context of sustainable development goal 3

AbstractUrban poverty is spreading at a rampant pace in the developing world. Children of rag-pickers are the product of urbanized system, born and brought up into underprivileged setups which restricts their opportunities. These children are exposed to all kinds of abuse and neglect due to their living conditions. The contemporary default support system continuously reinforces higher degree of vulnerability due to the engagement in stigmatized occupation of rag-picking followed by this community, imposing restrictions on access to basic services. These families live on streets and their children suffer from health inequalities and nutritional deficiencies. Right from the launch of SDGs, ‘no one should be left behind’ has been reverberated but the children of rag-pickers are far behind. They require extensive interventions to emerge out of the vicious path of poverty and stigma to access basic services and fulfilment of human rights. The article investigates multidimensional vul nerabilities afflicting the children of rag-pickers intertwined with the targets of SDG 3. Healthcare is a human right to be ensured by the state and lack of access to it poses an important threat to ensure equity, inclusion and justice. The aim of the article is to highlight the health inequalities faced by young children of rag-pickers during their early childhood in the context of SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing). The study was conducted with 30 families engaged in rag-picking for at least 10...
Source: Child and Family Social Work - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research