CHP's Gamze Taşcıer: 'Child poverty is a human rights violation'

Citing the latest data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), CHP's Gamze Taşcıer announced that 23 percent of children aged 15 and under in the country are unable to meet their daily protein requirements. Taşcıer stated, 'One in every four children in Turkey cannot access protein sources such as meat, chicken, or fish. This situation causes 4.4 million children to view these foods as a luxury.'

Taşcıer noted that child poverty is not merely a financial issue, but a crisis that affects children's right to life. 'The AKP government is implementing policies that violate children's right to healthy development,' said Taşcıer, emphasizing that this situation also negatively impacts children's rights to education, housing, and participation in social life.

THE DEEP DIMENSIONS OF CHILD POVERTY

Evaluating the 2024 child statistics released recently, Taşcıer expressed that the deep poverty in Turkey has become impossible to hide. Stating that millions of children are struggling with hunger, inequality, and a lack of future prospects, Taşcıer said that child poverty is not just a problem related to income, but also a violation of rights.

Taşcıer stated that as of 2024, one-quarter of children aged 0-15 in Turkey are unable to meet their daily protein needs. Furthermore, she stated that 1.8 million children cannot afford new clothes, 2 million children cannot consume fruit, and 2.2 million children do not own toys. Taşcıer said, '4.2 million children cannot go on a one-week vacation away from home. 3.6 million children cannot participate in school trips due to financial impossibilities. There are 3.1 million children who do not have the means to buy a bicycle. This picture shows the collapse of the social state and the systematic usurpation of children's rights.'