State of the World’s Children spotlights challenges faced by Urban Children

More than a billion children, or over half the global population of minors, are now estimated to live in urban areas, according to UNICEF, which is releasing the report entitled “The State of the World’s Children 2012” on Tuesday.

Urban inequity is common to all countries, although its specific forms and patterns vary. It affects the life chances of hundreds of millions of children. The 2012 edition of The State of the World’s Children sheds light on the scale of the issue and suggests ways to ensure that an urban childhood is also a safe, healthy, participatory and fulfilling one. The report argues that a concerted effort to place children’s rights at the centre of urban decision-making is the only way to narrow the gaps and build a more equitable and prosperous urban future.

The State of the World’s Children 2012: Children in an Urban World will be launched on 28 February 2012. The report, executive summary and additional multimedia material will be available.

If you live in an urban environment, then use UNICEF’s youth platform Voices of Youth to share your story with the world. What challenges do you face in your city or town? What can be done to fix them? Inspire the Voices of Youth community with your experiences and make your voice heard.

Did you know?

The first State of the World’s Children report was published in 1980. Focusing on the impact of poverty on children’s lives, it argued that, perhaps for the first time, the world has the resources and knowledge to mount a decisive push against hunger, disease and illiteracy.

Check it out here!