Background

Children are the foundation of future societies, directly influencing a nation's overall progress. However, deprivation has far-reaching effects, hindering access to basic rights and perpetuating a cycle of disadvantage among children. This chapter establishes the critical context by emphasizing the unique vulnerabilities of children and the need for targeted efforts to protect their rights, aligning with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Despite policy commitments, a significant number of children in the country still face deprivation and limited access to essential services. The chapter introduces the book's core focus on examining the progress and challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with reference to children. The significance of these goals is underscored and relevant  child-specific indicators are identified, which provide a framework to assess  holistic child development. The chapter establishes a clear context, paving the way for subsequent chapters to explore specific dimensions of child development.