“Making the case for environmental justice in Central and Eastern Europe” provides sound support for the assertion that poor and ethnically marginalised people in Central and Eastern Europe, especially women and children, are more exposed to environmental hazards than rest of the population.
They are also more likely to lack access to water, sewerage and other environmental benefits. This situation is further exacerbated by inadequate access to health care.
Case studies describe the death of a two year-old from lead poisoning, high rates of birth abnormalities, and an ominously quick succession of child deaths from cancer attributed to the environmental conditions in which they live.
But the report is not without hope. It says that investing in the poorest and minority groups provides huge opportunities for improving the health of children in Europe.
This would mean:
clean-ups of contaminated areas;
greater support for local groups;
stronger engagement with the women in marginalized communities because women take most of the responsibility for family health.
Policies and laws that simultaneously improve the environment and combat discrimination can significantly improve children’s health.
The report: "Making the case for environmental justice in Central and Eastern Europe"
