Child Poverty and Social Inequalities in Africa

Abstract

Africa has continually faced challenges in providing public services for its vast populations culminating in wider inequality gaps and rising levels of child poverty. Consequently, child poverty has led to dim prospects for most children. This chapter discusses child poverty and social inequalities since these aspects are critical to child development and welfare. An analytic review of World Bank and United Nations agencies data was conducted, consisting of existing surveyed data and literature on contemporary contexts in Sub-Saharan Africa. It was noted how inadequate investment levels; children's voicelessness and a lack of social security safety nets, has negatively impacted children's rights and development. Indications are that child poverty and other social inequalities continue to be experienced in most parts of the continent despite the economic rise in some of these emerging economies.