For those of us who read Peronand for those who lived in those moments, the remembered phrase must resonate “In the new Argentina, the only privileged ones are the children”which he said when inaugurating the school year and 401 schools in 1951.
What could Perón have meant with this phrase? We can make some interpretations that are based on some government actions.
I was trying to establish equality for all children. beyond the social class to which they belonged, guaranteeing comprehensive health and public education. The phrase in question and the government actions that we will detail take us to the much questioned, by some sectors, social justice.
At that time, the Rights of the Child were incorporated into the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the 1949 national constitution dedicated a chapter to the rights of the family, children and the elderly. Something very important at that time was that children, who until then were called “legitimate and illegitimate,” were made equal, which referred to those born outside or within marriage.
The Evita championships were launched, recreational centers were inaugurated, social family tourism was promoted, the City of Children was built in La Plata, free children’s shows were held, the so-called Hospital for Infants and Children’s Epidemiology were inaugurated, 12 medical planes, more than 100 ambulances, 50 maternity and childhood centers, and 60 dental offices were incorporated into the health system. Likewise, health education campaigns were carried out, 19 school homes and transit homes were created throughout our territory.
It was clear from the actions that children played a central role, with state policies and almost daily contact that was a novelty for those times. We can summarize that the phrase in question meant free and quality public education and health, the right to leisure, culture, recreation, direct assistance, family vacations, among others, and all under the responsibility of a present and efficient state.
Now the first big question is: What happened to us?
The latest report from UNICEF Argentina says that one million girls and boys go to bed without dinner, a figure that rises to one and a half million if those who skip a meal during the day are included.
In the case of adults living in these households who skip meals, the number rises to 4.5 million, since in most cases they prioritize ensuring that their children can eat.
The study shows that Around ten million girls and boys eat less meat and dairy products. Added to this is the collapse in general consumption data, which fell by 16.1% in July compared to 2023, a 20% drop in milk consumption and a 14% drop in meat consumption. These data directly affect families and children. In the same context, we must point out that in the last six months, 1.5 million new poor people and 1.9 million destitute people were created. Without absolving anyone of blame, it is clear that the economic policies of this government have deepened poverty figures and caused children to lose the privilege of thinking about a future with opportunities.
The other big question, while the political reality of all sectors is televised in soap opera episodes, is: What is the political leadership doing to solve this major problem? And an internal question arises in me. What are we doing as Peronists in this situation? What are the issues and policies that we are going to defend and promote?
Is this not an opportunity for all Peronists to lead a public policy that puts children at the centre of the scene and guarantees their growth with dignity? A project that guarantees food, education and health, and that we all line up behind that project. I understand that the time has come to talk about the issues that happen to ordinary people, those who are currently suffering from the lack of empathy of a government that believes that the market solves everything. And the truth is that the market does not have in its plans that children should be the only privileged ones.
First of all, we must call on Argentines to defend a public policy that will save our children from a dark future. We must organize the existing policies and resources aimed at this vulnerable population into a single program of direct assistance, coordinate with local governments the control and monitoring of healthy growth of our boys and girls, guarantee basic foods from birth to adolescence by investing the necessary resources to guarantee immediate attention to the emergency.
We must be able to leave behind the ideologies that blind and distract us in order to find solutions. If we can guarantee a happy childhood with education, health and healthy growth, we will be training the next men and women who will surely have the destiny of our country in their hands. We must do this by seeking social justice, because it gives you the freedom to choose your own destiny in the future.
Former head of the State in your Neighborhood Program – NEP Leader – PJ Congressman CABA and PJ National Congressman
Source: Ambito
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