About: children

COVID-19 hospitalization surge among US children spurs new Omicron concerns

Within weeks, the Omicron variant has fueled thousands of new COVID-19 hospitalizations among US children, raising new concerns about how the many unvaccinated Americans under the age of 18 will fare in the new surge.

Spain approves plan to support working mothers

The Spanish government has approved the first phase of a €200-million plan aimed at helping working mothers reconcile employment and family commitments, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.

French government launches platform to help parents protect kids from online porn

French authorities have launched a new platform to help parents protect their children from exposure to online pornography. EURACTIV France reports.

The story of Europe’s 210,000 unaccompanied minors seeking asylum

After a journey often marked by violence and abuse, more than 210,000 unaccompanied minors without future prospects who have applied for asylum in Europe over the past five years are living in crowded refugee camps. EURACTIV's partner EUROEFE reports.

Spanish government criticised over handling of health crisis

The Spanish government has been repeatedly criticised for its management of the COVID-19 health crisis, with the latest rebuke regarding the rules for children going outside. EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.

Romania is slow at integrating people with disabilities

Romania's adult centres offering deplorable reception conditions for people with disabilities, and the country's school system struggling to ensure the inclusion of children with disabilities, are a source of concern. EURACTIV's partner Ouest-France reports.

Beer, wine, spirit makers pledge age-restriction labels on drinks

Twelve leading beer, wine and spirits companies have pledged to put clear age-restriction labels on their drinks and set tighter controls on access to their online content in a bid to reduce underage drinking.

Volunteering initiatives build new society in Ukraine

In various initiatives to build a new civil society, the communication between Ukraine and international allies wouldn’t be possible without the English language, writes Kate Rohozhnykova.

RAPEX, the safety guarantee for European products

The rapid alert system removed more than 2,000 dangerous products from the European market in 2018. However, much remains to be done about security, notably with regards to China. EURACTIV France reports.

The nightmare before Christmas: Cybersecurity risks for children’s toys

The lack of a legal framework to protect children's toys against cybersecurity risks could prove to have damaging consequences, a leading European consumer rights group has warned ahead of the Christmas festivities, advising parents that some of those toys should not even be kept at home.

Everyone gains from investing in the health and gender equality of women and children

Five million women and children die every year from entirely preventable causes. The Global Financing Facility (GFF) supports the 50 countries with the greatest needs by investing in their health systems but that is not enough, writes Mariam Claeson.

A place for children in the EU’s budget

Last week, the Commission announced a budget that ‘’protects, empowers and defends’’. But who exactly are we protecting empowering and defending? Not Europe’s children nor their counterparts in the developing world. Children are not even mentioned in this proposal.

10 reasons why the EU has been good for children

Whatever decisions the EU makes about its future at the Rome summit and beyond, it should recognise the improvements to the lives of children as one if its great achievements and make this a foundation for future action, writes Jana Hainsworth.

Is it time to extend maternity leave across Europe?

The rights of pregnant women and new mothers in the workplace need to be protected in a way that ensures the health of the both mother and child, while not damaging the woman’s career prospects or harming business, write Lucy Strang and Miriam Broeks.

ECJ decision triggers crisis of social protection system in UK

The EU has spent years building a safety net for the most vulnerable children in society, but the UK’s decision to cut child benefits may not save any money, but could lead the whole system to unravel, writes Jana Hainsworth.

The EU at World Humanitarian Summit: What’s in it for children?

There are currently 125 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, writes Justin Byworth.

What can the EU do at the World Humanitarian Summit for children?

The World Humanitarian Summit takes places in Istanbul on 23-24 May. With the EU as one of the world's largest humanitarian donors, it can be a real 'game-changer', writes Marco Nardin.

Europe of tomorrow will inherit the children of today

On Universal Children's Day, Jana Hainsworth argues that EU policy must keep children at its heart, from ending child poverty in the EU to dealing with the migrant crisis.  

Illiteracy will cost global economy $1.2tn in 2015

Illiteracy is “a worldwide crisis” that will cost the global economy $1.2tn (£760bn) this year, the World Literacy Foundation (WLF) has warned. More than 796 million people are either completely illiterate, meaning they can’t read or write, or functionally illiterate, meaning they can’t perform basic tasks such as reading a medicine label, the WLF said in a report released on Monday (pdf).

What world leaders can do in September to improve the lives of the poorest

When world leaders meet in September to adopt a set of Sustainable Development Goals, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will make a strong case that health goals should be a top priority, writes Bill Gates.

Malala to world leaders: ‘Do better’ in 2015

2015 must be the year the world wakes up and delivers a safer, more just future for children and young people, writes Malala Yousafzai in a letter to world leaders.

German government introduces new measures tackling ‘poverty migration’

The German government tabled a final report on Wednesday (27 August) addressing "legal issues and challenges” related to social benefits claims by EU immigrants, with Bavarian conservatives welcoming the “correct approach” and Social Democrats shaking their heads at the new measure. EURACTIV Germany reports.