Childhood is subdivided into three stages: early childhood, that extends from birth through five years of age; childhood, between ages six and 12, and adolescence, starting at 13 and ending at 18.

In Latin America and the Caribbean four out of every ten children under 15 are poor. Child and adolescent poverty and inequality lead to other unfulfilled needs with lasting effects throughout their life cycle, such as less access to social protection, education, health, housing and basic services. Child labour is another consequence of poverty.

There exist diverse international instruments guaranteeing the rights of girls and boys and adolescents, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour, and the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children.

Priority policies for reducing inequality among children and adolescents should be primarily aimed at promoting well-being and social inclusion at all stages of childhood and adolescence, including poverty eradication, and child protection to safeguard the rights of children and adolescents to develop in a safe environment free of violence.

The COVID-19 pandemic is having significant impacts on Latin American and Caribbean girls, boys and adolescents. For example, most countries in the region suspended in-person classes for all education levels, and there are concerns that many students will never go back to school. The loss of so many jobs and sources of income, together with related economic insecurity have heightened the risk of child labour, sexual exploitation and child marriage.