Measuring and monitoring child wellbeing and inequality at the local level
Author(s): Equity for Children
One of the main challenges of public policy is to identify and monitor the issues that affect children. While basic information exists, data is rarely contextualized geographically or disaggregated by population groups. This makes it more difficult to develop interventions focused on the most vulnerable sectors and populations. For instance, in most cities further evidence is required about spaces and playing times available to young children and their families; the conditions and quality of the dwellings where they grow up; and, the safety and accessibility of the roads used for their daily commutes.
This type of data could provide key input for a number of local policies addressing infrastructure and urban design, sanitation, street lighting, public transport and housing, for example, that generally do not take into account childhood. To address these needs, Equity for Children partnered with Fundación Corona to analyze the quality of life of children living in Colombian cities and to monitor the scope and impact of local public policy on younger citizens. To document this work, the team drafted the Civic Accountability Initiative Replication Manual, downloadable in part below. Our hope is for this guide to serve as a tool for initiatives that seek to implement this type of project and advocacy in other cities across the globe given the importance of ensuring human development from the earliest years and throughout life. This reference guide proposes participatory methods and fosters transparent governance.
