UNICEF 2020 RESULTS For Children in Montenego
During the course of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on children, adolescents and young people in Montenegro, exacerbating existing equity gaps and highlighting systemic weaknesses.
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Highlights
During the course of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on children, adolescents and young people in Montenegro, exacerbating existing equity gaps and highlighting systemic weaknesses.
As a result of the health and socio-economic crisis, children have become more vulnerable to poverty, violence and social exclusion and less able acquire the knowledge and skills required for a smooth transition to adulthood. As schools closed, education went digital and access to social services was reduced, and the impact of COVID-19 was particularly felt by the country’s most vulnerable children and youth.
A Rapid Social Impact Assessment by the UN, co-led by UNICEF and UNDP, found that in April and June the country’s poorest households were increasingly unable to meet their children’s most basic needs - particularly affecting Roma and Egyptian children, children with disabilities and refugee and migrant children. Others were also affected as COVID-19 infections and job losses sent families spiralling into poverty. Specifically, the assessment noted: increased gender-based and family violence; a growing need for help purchasing food and hygiene items and making utility payments; the inability of large numbers of children to continue their education due to a lack of
computers and internet connections; and an unmet need for mental health support for children and adolescents.
In addition, restrictions required to combat the pandemic led to a reduction in critical social services and heightened reluctance by the population to seek health services, including for childhood vaccinations - for which demand was already trending dangerously downward. The vulnerability of children with disabilities was exacerbated by limited access to services, while their parents faced increased challenges when day-care centres were discontinued.
UNICEF’s efforts to mitigate against the impact of the pandemic prioritized four areas: poverty, health, education, and violence against children. With support from international partners and in collaboration with government and civil society organizations, UNICEF addressed the following results for children in Montenegro.
