The child rights approach in public policy: Access of the non-poor population to the national child care and development network (REDCUDI) in Costa Rica

Abstract

In Costa Rica, public investment in children is carried out through various programs, one of which is the National Child Care and Development Network (hereinafter REDCUDI). This program has focused mainly on serving the poor, limiting the possibilities for non-poor children to access care and development services. This study addresses the actions implemented by the Alvarado Quesada Administration (2018–2022), from a rights-based approach, to guarantee access to REDCUDI services for non-poor children. The research covers a two-year period, corresponding to the last years of that term (May 8, 2020, to May 8, 2022). It describes that administration's efforts to ensure access to childcare and development services for children from non-poor families, from a child rights perspective. The hypothesis is that the actions taken during the last two years of the Alvarado Quesada administration (2018–2022) to guarantee access to REDCUDI services for children from non-poor families are consistent with a child rights approach.