Introduction
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were eight international development goals established in 2000 by the United Nations. Among these, several goals directly or indirectly focused on children’s welfare—particularly in areas such as health, education, and poverty reduction. The target year for the MDGs was 2015, and their progress has significantly influenced global and national child welfare policies.
Child-Related MDGs and Their Progress
1. MDG 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
- Reduction in poverty levels contributed to better access to food, healthcare, and education for children.
- However, child malnutrition remained high in several developing countries, including India.
2. MDG 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
- Major improvement in school enrollment rates, especially for girls and children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Dropout rates reduced, and access to schools improved in rural areas.
3. MDG 4: Reduce Child Mortality
- Significant decrease in global under-five mortality rate, from 90 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 43 in 2015.
- India also witnessed a notable reduction but did not fully meet the target.
4. MDG 5: Improve Maternal Health
- Though targeted at women, this goal impacted children indirectly by improving survival chances of newborns and infants.
- Skilled birth attendance and institutional deliveries increased in many countries.
5. MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases
- Increased awareness and treatment availability for HIV/AIDS and malaria protected children from these deadly diseases.
- Vaccination and immunization campaigns played a key role.
Conclusion
While considerable progress was made on several child-related MDGs, challenges like malnutrition, child labor, and gender inequality continued. The learnings from MDGs paved the way for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which adopted a more inclusive and long-term approach to child welfare and development globally.