Vulnerabilities among children of rag-pickers: Examining health inequalities in the context of sustainable development goal 3

Abstract

Urban poverty is spreading at a rampant pace in the developing world. Children of rag-pickers are the product of urbanized system, born and brought up into underprivileged setups which restricts their opportunities. These children are exposed to all kinds of abuse and neglect due to their living conditions. The contemporary default support system continuously reinforces higher degree of vulnerability due to the engagement in stigmatized occupation of rag-picking followed by this community, imposing restrictions on access to basic services. These families live on streets and their children suffer from health inequalities and nutritional deficiencies. Right from the launch of SDGs, ‘no one should be left behind’ has been reverberated but the children of rag-pickers are far behind. They require extensive interventions to emerge out of the vicious path of poverty and stigma to access basic services and fulfilment of human rights. The article investigates multidimensional vulnerabilities afflicting the children of rag-pickers intertwined with the targets of SDG 3. Healthcare is a human right to be ensured by the state and lack of access to it poses an important threat to ensure equity, inclusion and justice. The aim of the article is to highlight the health inequalities faced by young children of rag-pickers during their early childhood in the context of SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing). The study was conducted with 30 families engaged in rag-picking for at least 10 years in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Those families were included who had children below 8 years of age. Qualitative study was conducted using phenomenological approach. Five focused group discussions (FGDs) and 10 in-depth interviews were conducted with the parents to explore the health and wellbeing of rag-pickers' children based on four of the 13 targets of Goal 3. Observation checklist was used for mapping the living conditions of the families. Considering the different targets of the goal it was observed that from early age, children become addicted to tobacco, drugs, glue, thinner, etc. Inaccessibility to healthcare services is one of the major reasons which hindered the developmental opportunities of the children in the targeted group. Areas where such families reside were less frequently visited by the frontline health workers highlighting the neglecting attitude of the civil society. The rag-pickers usually made their settlements in areas where basic services are not provided by the government. They do not use safety gears and do not possess the technology-focused skills to enhance earning. Such situation creates a continuum of poverty which gets transgenerational often and suffering of the children continues. The findings accentuate multidimensional vulnerabilities through the lens of ascribed vulnerable status, apathy of government, existing skill-gap and non-inclusive developmental initiatives. The study substantiated the importance of SDG 3 in realization of rights of children belonging to stigmatized families. Early childhood development is the most essential area of intervention where social workers must engage for ensuring equity and social justice. Inclusion of rag-pickers in all services is essential for attaining the SDGs crucial for holistic development of children.