Childrens' advocates say not enough is being done to provide Mexico's 30 million children with access to education, health services and jobs

November 19, 1999
Web posted at: 2:33 a.m. EST (0733 GMT)

In this story: Advocates say not enough being done Centralizing services debated RELATED STORIES, SITES

By Mexico City Bureau Chief Harris Whitbeck

MEXICO CITY (CNN) -- Jesus Fabian is 16 years old -- but it wasn't until a month ago that he began feeling that his life was worth something.

Jesus was raised on the streets of Mexico City, one of about 150,000 youngsters who make the streets of the Mexican capital their home.

"I was really thin before. Living on the streets makes you lose weight because of all the drugs you do and the beatings, the cold, the abuse you have to endure," he said.

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Last October, Jesus was taken to a shelter for children run by Casa Alianza, a private child advocacy agency. He now has his own bed, hot meals, counseling and job training.

Jesus, while lucky to be off the streets, is an example of what children's rights advocates see as one of Mexico's most pressing problems.

In the last few years, the Mexican government has made progress toward reducing child mortality rates.

More children are surviving birth and their early years -- but they survive to face an increasingly hostile world.

Advocates say not enough being done

Thirty million of Mexico's residents are younger than 20, almost a third of the country's population.

Advocates for youth say not enough is being done to provide children with access to education, health services and jobs.

"Survive, but survive with quality, that is the main challenge, because we are talking about 30 million children in Mexico that are looking for opportunities to improve their life," said Rafael Enriquez, with Mexico's UNICEF.

Centralizing services debated

The Mexican Senate is debating legislation that would centralize children's rights services, making them, in theory, more accessible to those who need them.

"We as adults have not been responsible enough," said Sen. Maria Del Carmen Moreno. "We haven't loved them or educated them. That's why we need to improve programs and toughen sanctions for those who abuse children."

However, children's rights advocates say until Mexico's economy offers more opportunities to the country's poorest, those at the bottom of the economic and social food chain will continue to be its youngest citizens.

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