 |
    |
 
Paraguay   Why children in Paraguay need your helpParaguay emerged from more than three decades of dictatorship in 1989, following the ousting of Alfredo Stroessner. The country has experienced political instability since, and Stroessner's party, the National Republican Association-Colorado Party, remains in power. Although conditions for children have improved over the last few years, many children are still forced into the labour market to help boost their household's income. Often these jobs can be dangerous and involve long working hours in difficult conditions. School is sacrified for income and many children go without receiving any education, giving them little hope for improving their situation in the future. Country factsThe Republic of Paraguay is a land-locked country which is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. It is one of South America's least densely populated countries, and a large percentage of Paraguay's population (95 per cent) are mestizos, people of mixed Spanish and native American descent. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner was overthrown in 1989, and factional splits led to the assassination of a vice-president, the resignation of a president and an attempted coup. The National Republican Association-Colorado Party remain in power. Paraguay's economy is supported by agriculture, which saw a steady increase in the 1990s but has subsequently struggled as a result of economic issues in neighbouring Argentina, and widespread corruption.
|
