Children and their well-being are at the center of everything we do, and although children do appear less impacted by COVID-19 than adults, the pandemic is no doubt affecting the environment in which they grow and develop.

The COVID-19 pandemic is severely challenging the most advanced economies and the consequences in poorer countries with fragile health and protective systems are more devastating. The challenges for children, particularly girls, ranging from disruption in education, increased risk of sexual violence and mental health risks is of particular concern.

Learn more about the 3 ways in which the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is impacting children and their lives in developing countries around the world:  

1. Education is interrupted for children 

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the education of 1.7 billion students worldwide. 

In fact, closures of schools and other learning spaces have impacted 94% of the world’s student population, up to 99 per cent in low and lower-middle income countries. 

Education plays a pivotal role in eradicating poverty and equalizing societies - especially in developing countries. But when education is interrupted, it increases risk factors for children who rely on schools for essentials such as food and nourishment through school feeding programs.  

Schools are also safe spaces where children are often protected from abuse or exploitation such as child labour. For girls, being out of school increases the risk of child marriage and sexual violence.  

In addition, when children are out of school for unknown and prolonged periods of time, it is a challenge to ensure they resume their education when schools reopen.  

2. Increased stress at home for children 

10% of the world’s population lives on less than $2 USD per day. For many families, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic can exacerbate poverty either due to illness or death in the family, increased healthcare costs, caring for sick family members and/or loss of employment.  

With these increased stressors, children may experience fear and anxiety at home because their parents or caregivers may not be able to meet their basic needs. These changes pose risks to their well-being and development, especially in young children. 

Some families under pressure might also be forced to make tough choices about their children’s futures. For boys, this might mean expectations to engage in potentially hazardous and exploitative labour due to school closure to help support the family due to economic hardship or the illness of a parent. And for girls, poverty and crisis play a significant role in parents’ decision to marry off their daughters at a young age.  

3. Children become vulnerable  

COVID-19 has closed schools and threatens to decrease the availability of other protective structures such as family and support services that children may need to stay safe.  

For many children, their parents or caretakers are their first line of defense from harm. However, caretakers who become severely ill or worse due to COVID-19 leave children exposed to potential harm and danger such as mental distress and exploitation.  

Furthermore, research shows that an increase in stress on families tends to increase the risk of family violence. Closure or inaccessibility to basic services for vulnerable children and their families means they may not be able to access usual supports or treatments.  For example, regular in-home checkups for children at risk may be reduced or cancelled.  

Protecting children’s rights everyday

Plan International is active in over 75 countries and supports thousands of disadvantaged communities through a network of nearly 10,000 staff. As an organization, we are committed to ensuring that our critical programming to advance children’s rights and equality for girls remains largely unimpacted by COVID-19.  

Children, especially girls, and whole communities would be affected by any stoppages in our work and we are continuously assessing how we can continue our programs and best support those who are most vulnerable in low, medium, and high transmission areas.   

Time is running out for girls in crisis

In the time it took to read this story, 80 girls were forced to drop out of school as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

Schools keep girls safe from gender-based violence, unplanned pregnancy, trafficking, exploitation and recruitment into armed groups. 

Together, we must stop the clock and stop the setback so that girls can exercise their rights to education.

Learn more about how COVID-19 has set back progress for girls equality

Questions related to this story: 

• Why are millions of children out of school?  
• Why does child marriage happen?  
• How to end poverty for children?