In the last decade, the Chinese government has launched an extraordinarily ambitious program to provide essential social services to children. These services include maternal and child health care, free vaccinations, public education, nutrition support, early childhood development programs, and child protection services, as well as cash assistance for orphans.
In any country, implementing so sweeping a set of measures in a way that ensures equitable access for all children would require a massive effort. In China, the challenge is even greater. With rapid economic development, China has also experienced widening disparities in income and development across regions and populations.
Children in China’s poorer rural areas, and in remote regions with large ethnic minority populations, are among the most vulnerable, and their access to essential social services is often inadequate. Efforts to improve access for these children face several difficulties.
First, policies for rural public services are relatively new. In this initial period of their implementation the overall level of budget allocations remains low, and can vary from province to province.
Second, in China’s current public finance system, the availability of funds for public services depends in part on the locality’s level of economic strength. Poor areas consequently have less money for public services. Efforts to equalize available funding using central budget resources are still in the initial stages of implementation.
Third, China’s budget allocations are not typically publicized. Monitoring funding uses and disparities is not easy, and opportunities for public participation and input are few.
Improving access to essential social services
UNICEF works together with the Ministry of Finance, the National Development Reform Commission and the National Working Committee on Children and Women (NWCCW), among others, to promote equal access to social services for China’s most vulnerable children.
We support research on equity and governance in the provision of essential social services like health, social protection, basic education and early childhood development. Our studies particularly examine disparities among socioeconomic groups and across geographic regions. They also analyze the effectiveness of the new social programs at reaching vulnerable populations, as well as how the programs might be improved.
These reports serve as the basis for evidenced-based policy recommendations on improving equitable access to essential social services. Our work aims to ensure that budget funds reach the areas and the children who are most vulnerable.
In collaboration with NWCCW, we supported workshops and studies that reviewed and evaluated the previous National Plan of Action (NPA) for Children and supported development of inputs for the current NPA for Children (2011-2020).
We also advocate for governance practices that improve equitable delivery of these essential services, inspire public participation and facilitate input from children and young people in the policy-development process.
To improve implementation, we help build bridge with experts in international best practices for social budgeting, and we assist with creating opportunities for capacity building for government officials and local citizens.
Making a difference
UNICEF’s work to ensure that China’s most vulnerable children receive equal access to social services has produced results. Our recommendations in areas such as maternal and child health, early childhood development and education have informed budget decisions.
For example, allocations for maternal child health have increased dramatically. Funding has also improved for health insurance programs that cover children, such as the Rural Cooperative Medical System and urban residents’ basic medical insurance scheme.
In addition, China’s legislative framework is beginning to take children into account and reflect their needs. The NPA for Children (2011-2020) prioritizes social welfare for children in poverty.
China has also made strides in budget transparency. Recent improved disclosure of budget information at both the national and provincial levels promote greater public participation and monitoring.
You can help children in poverty receive equal access to social services. Take action in your own community by learning more about whether children in need of public assistance are able to access necessary benefits and services. Or find out how you can support UNICEF’s work today.