Jordan ranks 87th globally on 2023 KidsRights Index

AMMAN — Jordan has been ranked 87th in the “KidsRights” World Children’s Rights Index. 

The KidsRights Index is the first global ranking system that annually measures how children’s rights are respected worldwide, and to what extent participating countries are committed to improving these rights, according to their website. 

The report ranked all 193 UN member states that have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child across five Index Domains — Life, Health, Education, Protection and the Enabling Environment for Child Rights, the report said. 

Jordan ranked 73rd in the KidsRights 2021 report and 87th in the 2022 report. 

The report noted that children living in Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Indonesia, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Vietnam in particular are at high risk of exposure to climate hazards, shocks and stresses.

The report further revealed negative health developments for children across the world, caused by immunisation programme disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

An official source at the Ministry of Health, who preferred to remain anonymous, told The Jordan Times that the COVID-19 pandemic has indeed led to a disruption in Jordanian immunisation programmes.

“Many parents, especially in rural areas, did not vaccinate their children during the pandemic,” the source said. 

The Ministry of Health is urging parents and caregivers to follow up on the necessary immunisation programmes and give their children the missing vaccines, he said.  

The source noted that the necessary vaccines are offered at the ministry’s healthcare centres for free to all residents, regardless of nationality. 

“It’s extremely important to vaccinate children, as this has broader implications for their wellbeing and society as a whole,” the source added. 

Children younger than four are the most affected by the immunisation disruption, the source said. 

According to the KidsRights report, the war in Ukraine has disrupted the security of global supply chains, which has in turn contributed to skyrocketing food and energy prices, creating a steep cost-of-living crisis.

Economist Khaled Salameh told The Jordan Times that the disruptions in the global supply chain have had a “far-reaching” impact on children’s well-being.

“Skyrocketing food and energy prices exacerbate child poverty and hinder access to basic necessities. If not addressed properly, it can further increase cases of child labour and malnutrition,” Salameh said. 

According to education expert Maha Saied, “Jordan’s position in the KidsRights Index underscores the significance of equitable access to education.”

To improve its ranking, Jordan should focus on bridging educational disparities, particularly among marginalised communities, Saied suggested.

“High-quality, inclusive education is pivotal for securing children’s rights,” she added.