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European Child Guarantee approved
European Child Guarantee approved
"It's a big win for 18 million at risk and in poverty"
The Minister for Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Ana Mendes Godinho, said that the adoption of a recommendation establishing the European Child Guarantee by the Council of the European Union "is a great victory for 18 million children at risk and in poverty in Europe".
Speaking to Lusa after the unanimous approval by the ministers of social affairs, the Minister also stressed that this approval "is a great achievement because the Portuguese presidency of the Council of the European Union was not expected to conclude this dossier in such a short time".
The adoption at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council provides that "all Member States shall ensure access to essential services for children who are at risk of, or materially deprived of, or are disabled or suffering from mental health problems".
"Countries now have nine months to adopt national plans [of action by 2030] and appoint a national coordinator to ensure that services are available free of charge," she added, stressing that the aim of the recommendation is to prevent and combat the social exclusion of children in need and child poverty through access to a range of essential services, while also ensuring the protection of the rights of the child and equal opportunities.
The document recommends that Member States ensure effective and free access to education and school activities, early childhood care, at least one healthy meal each school day and healthcare, as well as effective access to healthy nutrition and adequate housing.
The European Child Guarantee was one of the priorities of the action plan to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights, which set a target of reducing the number of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion by five million by 2030.
Source: Government Portal