Multidimensional Overlapping Deprivation Analysis of Children in District Sargodha (Pakistan)

Abstract

Article HistoryThis study provides estimates of multidimensional child deprivation in Tehsil Kot Momin, District Sargodha. National Multidimensional Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (N-MODA) Methodology introduced by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is adopted in this study. Children are divided into two age groups, below 5 years of age and 5 to 17 years of age for analysis of seven multidimensions and six multi-dimensions of deprivations in both groups respectively. A survey is conducted in Kot Momin from sample of 387 children selected through cluster sampling. Selection of dimensions and indicators for survey questionnaire are also based on UNICEF and Children Rights Conference (CRC) and step by step guideline of MODA methodology. In children of first age group 92.78% are deprived in at least one basic dimension. At the cutoff point (deprivation benchmark) of this age group, 47.42% are deprived in four or more dimensions, while one out of ten children (10.4%) is deprived in six dimensions. In children of second age group 76.4% are deprived in at least one basic dimension and at cut off point (deprived in three or more dimensions) around one in four (25.8%) children is deprived. Overall results show that the first age group had more vulnerable condition.Contribution/ Originality: This is a unique study on poverty which makes an overlapping derivation analysis.The dimensions and indicators of poverty have been calculated using most sophisticated tools adopted by UNICEF and Children Rights Conference (CRC) by applying MODA methodology. This is one of the very few studies which have tested most advanced techniques in the least developed areas of Pakistan. The findings will help decision makers in tackling problem of poverty and deprivation in a single go.