- Governments have focused on fighting COVID-19 and have neglected other important issues, such as collecting data on the situation of children and adolescents. Yasmira- Colombia.
- Incorrect use of data and information can generate uncertainty and confusion for girls, boys and adolescents.
Given the demand and oversaturation of information, different international organizations enabled virtual platforms to access verified information on the number of infected people, deceased people and countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this context, with the aim of reflecting on the importance of consulting reliable sources of information, the initiative #Weaving NetworksChildhood and within the framework of the #NiñezPrimero strategy, it carried out the webinar: How to use data in the COVID-19 pandemic?
In a conference, the panellists pointed out that access to the information it is a right that enables the construction of a more democratic and equitable society: for this reason, they underlined the importance of consulting reliable sources of information or accessing verified data.
Regarding this, Yasmira, a young woman from Colombia, stated that statistical data make it possible to make visible other problems that affect children and youth; For this reason, it asked the States to compile and update exact figures on the number of victims of violence, disappearances or other types of violations against children. “In Colombia there are situations such as forced displacement or the recruitment of girls and boys; however, there are no figures. Most governments have focused too much on fighting COVID-19 and have neglected other issues, such as the situation of children and adolescents "
In this regard, Yandira Sandoval, Human Rights Defender and member of #NosotrasTenemosOtrosDatos, explained that in Mexico there is an increase in violence against women and girls; and regretted that to date there are no exact data that allow the implementation of public policies for prevention or care for children.
Similarly, Karla Alvarenga, representative of COIPRODENI in Honduras, complemented that updating data provides valuable information so that states can design and implement public policies according to the needs of each sector.
In relation to this, Juan Martín Pérez García, Coordinator of the #TejiendoRedesInfancia initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean, explained that the health crisis generated uncertainty in society, therefore he highlighted the importance of having accurate data on the effect of the pandemic in childhood and adolescence. "Decisions that are made with evidence are more likely to have positive effects, but can essentially save lives."
Finally, Baruch Sanjinés, Master in Population and Development at Flacso, and Elizabeth Velázquez, a journalist for the Eje Central newspaper, recommended that before sharing information or data regarding the pandemic, it is important to evaluate the content and verify the authenticity of the source. "Sometimes we want to do good by sharing information, but many times that information does not have the bases or the elements to be real and can create more confusion," added Sanjinés.
Video: https://www.facebook.com/tejiendoredesinfancia/videos/662062037982634
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Press contact: Verónica Morales, Regional Communication Officer / [email protected]
About:
#ChildhoodFirst It is a strategy that provides guidance for the care of children and adolescents in emergency situations.
#Weaving NetsChildhood, is a project co-financed by the European Union that seeks to contribute to the strengthening and consolidation of a platform for the defense of children and adolescents in 19 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of Derechos Infancia México AC / #TejiendoRedesInfancia and in no case should it be considered that it reflects the views of the European Union.