Indigenous children most vulnerable in world

Published by the Unicef Innocent Research Centre in Florence, the report concluded that improving the lives of indigenous children is crucial not only for their own health and well-being but for the future of indigenous people's and their unique place in the human family.

"When indigenous children are allowed to live in peace and security and free from discrimination, they have an enormous potential to contribute not only to their own communities but to national and global society," said Unicef Executive Director Carol Bellamy.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

"If we are to achieve goals such as poverty reduction, education for all and an end to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, we must put all children- especially the most vulnerable children such as those in indigenous communities-at the centre of our efforts."

The report said, there are an estimated 300 million indigenous people worldwide. They inhabit every region of the globe, originating in some 70 countries and speaking three quarters of the world's 6,000 languages. About half of the global indigenous population lives in Asia: the second-largest population lives in Latin America.

Compared to non-indigenous children, indigenous children generally have lower vaccination rates and higher mortality rates, lower rates of school enrolment, higher rates of grade repetition and school dropout, and inadequate protection in formal justice systems.

In income-rich and income-poor countries alike, infant, child and maternal mortality rates are higher among indigenous groups. Birth registration, the first step to a legal identity and the claims of citizenship, is often substantially lower among indigenous groups. Birth registration, the first step to a legal identity and the claims of citizenship, is often substantially lower among indigenous children.

The report details how the rights of indigenous children in both rural and urban areas are often compromised or denied. Specific areas of concern include the rights of indigenous children to survival and development, to good health, to education that respects their cultural identity protection from abuse, violence and exploitation, and participation in decision-making processes relevant to their lives.

The report said that governments must devote resources and enact legislation, policies and services to supporting indigenous families.

Indigenous communities often live under severe cultural and social stress the report pointed out saying lack of opportunity, cultural discrimination, inadequate social support, loss of land or difficulty integrating into the dominant culture contribute to low self-esteem and loss of identity that can give rise to depression, alcohol and substance abuse, and suicide.

The report said indigenous children are also at risk for human trafficking, sexual, and labour exploitation, and the impact of armed conflict and civil unrest.