Despite the fact that every child has the right to live in a peaceful environment, free from violence, and free from abuse and neglect, the harsh reality is that a number of children around Europe, including in Malta, live in precarious conditions and some even in poverty. It is in fact estimated that there are about six million children living in poverty in Europe alone. This arises from a number of causes. The most common reason to this problem is that their parents or guardians have financial problems, have no job, or have a job but it pays poorly, and often they also have issues of sub-standard housing, or even homelessness.
These situations are often the cause of recurring well-being problems for children which will in turn affect their future prospects. It becomes a cycle of trauma which can result in bad behavior, low grades at school, anxiety, mistrust, and a possible plummet to their overall development. Children who live in poverty are unfortunately most likely to be trapped in a vicious cycle, where because of poverty the possibility of advancement in life is arrested and the gap between them and other children who have more and better opportunities, widens. Often, in the absence of an external strong intervention by Government, children at risk of poverty, grow up to be poor adults and become the parents of poor children.
In 2013, the percentage of children at risk of poverty in Malta stood at 32%, with many living in severe materially deprived households. By 2017, the figure fell to 22.8% according to Eurostat figures. A significant drop in just four years, which in turn means that these children will grow up to be parents of the new middle class, whose children have a good prospect for advancement.
Tackling child poverty today is not only delivering more social justice at the present time but also contributes to eradicating poverty in the future.
Malta has been at the very forefront within the EU in tackling child poverty. Over the last 7 years government has been systematically putting into place a mix of legislation, policy and programmes to tackle this issue.
The National Children’s Policy which was launched in 2016, served as one of the driving forces behind an array of policy measures, which had a significant and expected outcome, in terms of reducing poverty. The In-Work benefits, the grants to low income workers, the incentives payable to women who return to work, the reduction or elimination of income tax for those on low income, the increase in children’s allowances and in the allowances for children with special needs, the increase in the foster care allowance from € 70 to € 100 per week per child, the extension of the preferential income tax rate for part-time work including for those who are self-employed, the free breakfast for children in public schools and the free school transport for all, free childcare for single mothers who are in employment or study, and free summer school programs are all concrete examples of these measures.
The social programmes introduced were not limited only to financial support, but government further ensured that we had in place the appropriate structures to deliver the necessary social work support in order to enable persons in crisis to move out of the situation as quickly as possible. The national agencies of Appogg, Sedqa and Sapport had their annual budget increase substantially, with most of the increases going for the recruitment of social workers and other allied professionals.
The new child protection legislation shall also bring into force a new structure which is wholly dedicated to the welfare of children. The home based therapeutic service has been also expanded in various localities and which serves as an intensive social work service. It was created to assist families in crisis situations and to possibly avoid the issuing of care orders. This service is also linked to the community social work services and the LEAP services which together offer a web of support services, for those who are most likely to experience poverty.
In the face of these advancements in welfare and in social mobility policies and measures, one may be tempted to think that poverty is done and dusted, however we must resist such assertions, as poverty creeps in and disguises itself under different forms. In light of this, Government is still watchful and is well aware that the fight against poverty is an uphill climb. It must continue to introduce tailor made policies and programs which address specific cohorts of people, at risk of poverty.
We recognise that the rights of the children and their development is of the utmost importance, as this cultivates better societies and healthier mind-sets. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, not only a life free of violence and fear, but one of prosperity and self-actualisation.”
Michael Falzon is Minister of Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity