Impacts of Pandemics and Epidemics on Child Protection Lessons learned from a rapid review in the context of COVID-19
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- What are the effects of pandemics and epidemics on child protection outcomes?
- What are the effects of pandemic and epidemic containment/control measures on child protection outcomes?
- How do the effects of pandemics and epidemics and their associated infection control measures vary for children and adolescents in vulnerable circumstances or at risk?
UNICEF has rapid evidence needs in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. While there has been a global rush to generate rapid evidence, much of this has focused on the impacts on health. There is limited evidence on the potential socio-economic effects of the pandemic, and even less evidence reporting on children. While compared to other demographic groups, children seem to be at lower risk of experiencing the most severe health impacts of the virus, they are likely to be carriers and hence infectious to other population groups.
Furthermore, children may carry the societal costs from the pandemic for years to come, and poor and vulnerable children worldwide will carry an inordinate burden. The nature of the virus and its spread has led to the global adoption of a few key policy measures to control infection rates including quarantine and isolation; physical distancing; movement restrictions; and the closure of schools, services and non-essential businesses.