Brussels: One in four children in the European Union, approximately 20 million across the 27 EU member states, are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Clea Papaellina, announced upon her arrival at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO). She is chairing the meeting on Monday in Brussels as part of the Cypriot Presidency of the EU.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Papaellina emphasized that the Council's focus will be on combating poverty and safeguarding children's wellbeing. She stated, "Our message will be very clear today. Europe has to make sure to decisively take steps to stop this." The significance of the timing was highlighted as the first-ever EU anti-poverty strategy is set to be presented during the Cypriot Presidency.
Papaellina stressed the long-lasting impacts of poverty experienced during early life stages, noting that it limits opportunities, widens inequalities, and perpetuates a cycle of disadvantage. She called for more preventive and focused measures to address this issue. The Cypriot Presidency's agenda prioritizes investing in children's wellbeing and fighting child poverty.
She reiterated the stark statistics, emphasizing that nearly one in four children in the EU face poverty or social exclusion risks. The Council's main focus will be to find coordinated and targeted solutions to these challenges.
Additionally, Papaellina mentioned that the Council will discuss the updated Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030, coinciding with International Women's Day. The meeting will also address the Strategy to Combat Racism 2026-2030 under her chairmanship.