Children are at risk
Children, young people and families living in Panama face many challenges: poverty, no access to clean water and sanitation and lack of education. Partly because of a lack of sanitation, chronic malnutrition affects 16% of Panama’s children under 5 – that number even goes up to 59% in the north-east. In addition, climate change also threatens their future. Natural disasters such as floods, droughts, wildfires are happening more frequently
40%
Of children do not attend preschool
Education
Preschool education is compulsory in Panama, yet an estimated 40% of children aged 4 to 5 years do not attend it.
Limited availability of relevant, culturally adapted preschool education services is an explaining factor, just like the lack of staff training and support.
And while the attendance rate for children of primary school age is 97%, around 9% of those pupils are over-age – two years or older than the official age for their grade.
25%
Of the population lives in poverty
Poverty
With the second worst income distribution in Latin America, about 25% of the population of Panama lives in poverty.
Throughout the country there are some communities that still lack sanitation and electricity infrastructures.
Some of the non-indigenous rural residents have left the rural areas and moved to find work in urban areas. However, the impact of poverty on the indigenous population remains very high.
45%
Of children experience violence at home
Health
Around 45% of Panama’s children between the ages of 1 to 14, have experienced physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by their caregivers. Indigenous girls and adolescents show greater vulnerability to violence.
While the long-term impacts of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are only beginning to emerge, 1 in 3 households did report conflicts during lockdown. The effects of the isolation caused by the pandemic and how it impacted violence against children will become clearer in years to come.
Together we can make a difference for children in Panamá
80
Children and young people
Are supported on their way to independence
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SOS Children’s Villages works to protect the rights and privacy of children. As you may notice, we do not show any identifiable photos of children in general information about Panama. This is because we have limited permission from the children and/or their legal guardians (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Panamá).
Working together for sustainable development
In 2015, leaders from 193 countries committed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This 15 year plan aims to improve the lives of people by ending poverty, fighting inequality and protecting the planet.
GOAL 1: End poverty
SOS Children’s Villages supports families and communities to keep families together and to help them break out of the cycle of poverty.
GOAL 4: Ensure quality education for all
Every child and young person SOS Children’s Villages supports has access to education, from kindergarten right up to vocational training or university.
GOAL 8: Equal job opportunities for all
SOS Children’s Villages supports young people in developing the skills and self-confidence they need to find decent work and trains parents so that they can have a stable income.
GOAL 10: Reduce inequalities
SOS Children’s Villages works to keep children safe, by promoting peaceful and inclusive communities. We provide training on children’s rights and positive parenting.
GOAL 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies
We advocate laws and practices that ensure social inclusion and protection for children and young people without parental care or from marginalized households.
Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!
Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives