Developing a framework for monitoring child poverty: results from a study in Uganda

Abstract

In 2002 Save the Children UK carried out a study of child poverty in Uganda, as part of the on-going Uganda Participatory Poverty Assessment Programme. Using participants from all regions of the country, the researchers asked children about their perceptions of poverty and anti-poverty strategies, as well as questioning adult key informants about trends in child poverty, vulnerable groups and the effectiveness of government policies in tackling child poverty. This article reports on one aspect of the study, looking at the different indicators that children use to assess poverty, and comparing these with official poverty monitoring indicators. It finds that while some areas-notably, health, education and water and sanitation-are well documented, others, which may be as, or more significant to children's welfare, such as child abuse or quality of parental care, are almost totally neglected. A more holistic framework for assessing child poverty is proposed.