CHIP aims to fill some of the gaps in knowledge about childhood poverty internationally and in partner countries, and to work with others to gain commitments to action. This web page explains some of the general gaps in knowledge about childhood poverty, and the rationale for the CHIP programme.
- Knowledge varies substantially between countries.
In some countries, very little is known. There may be statistics showing the number of families in poverty or percentage of children undernourished. But what poverty means for families - and how the ways they cope affect children may not be understood. In other countries, more is known overall, but information about children in particular groups - such as among disadvantaged minorities or in isolated areas - is lacking. Elsewhere, there may be good statistical information but this is not linked to an analysis of the trends and policies underlying child wellbeing. CHIP research sought to address specific knowledge gaps on children in poverty.
- Research focuses on specific aspects of childhood and is rarely well linked together.
Internationally, children and childhood have attracted much research. However, this research has tended to focus on particular areas of education, health, psychology, or on particular groups of children such a street children or child workers. Often this knowledge is not brought together. It tends to focus on the nature of problems faced by children in poverty and rarely links this to wider knowledge about the causes of poverty. This means that opportunities for using this knowledge to tackle problems of children in poverty are often missed.
- Impacts of key development policies on children are poorly understood or documented.
The debate continues as to which policies or sets of policies are most effective in reducing poverty overall. However, even policies that reduce poverty overall may not help poor children, and in some cases make their situation worse. We need a clearer understanding of where, when and how different kinds of development policies improve or worsen the situation of children in poverty. Though much is known about how particular sector policies, such as health, education or social security policy, can improve the situation of children, knowledge about the most effective combinations of social and economic policies is limited.
- Little is known about how children can be trapped in poverty cycles and what can help them escape. For example, under what circumstances does working in childhood trap children in poverty, and when does it provide useful skills for the future? What kinds of education best help children escape poverty? What sorts of economic and social policies are most helpful for preventing poverty being passed between generations? Answers to these questions are critical for breaking poverty cycles permanently. CHIP has started to answer some of these questions, though more context-specific knowledge is needed.
- The broader policy environments that best promote child wellbeing are poorly understood. What kinds of political environments tend to reduce poverty among families and children? What kinds of relationships between aid-giving and receiving countries promote child wellbeing?
CHIP's contribution to filling these gaps
Country-specific research
CHIP supported specific research in China, India, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, involving primary and secondary research and analysis of existing statistical data on poverty. In each country research focused on issues identified as important for child wellbeing by national research teams in collaboration with CHIP and Save the Children staff. (See the CHIP national activities page for more detailed information.) - China, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia have all moved from planned to market economies in recent years and CHIP aimed to contribute to knowledge about policies to promote child wellbeing in the context of far-reaching economic and social reforms. Together India and China contain almost 38 per cent of world population and understanding ways to tackle childhood poverty in these two countries is thus vital.
International policy analysis
CHIP examined the kinds of social and economic policies that have been effective in reducing childhood poverty in different contexts worldwide. This research drew on research and experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Europe and other Asian countries and resulted in a series of publications on successes in tackling childhood poverty. CHIP also analysed the approaches of international donors to childhood poverty and the implications of current approaches to aid.
Working with others to raise concern
By bringing attention to childhood poverty issues, the CHIP programme aimed to stimulate others to develop knowledge and support action in partner countries and beyond. Both internationally and in partner countries CHIP has communicated research findings widely - to policy makers, practitioners, donors and the general public.
Further information on each of these areas can be found on the CHIP international and national activities pages.
