Not enough is being done by our governments in investing in nutrition!  The East and Southern Africa (ESA) National Budget Commitment to Nutrition report showed that less than  1% of the governmentsâ national budget is allocated to nutrition programmes. This is not enough!  African countries are investing a very small amount of their
 CARE International and the Graça Machel Trust (GMT) through the East and Southern Africa Civil Society Nutrition Network (ESA CSN) jointly commissioned a study to establish baseline national budget nutrition commitments and expenditures. The study, East and Southern Africa (ESA) National Budget Commitment to Nutrition, clearly shows not enough is being spent on nutrition.
The Graça Machel Trust is deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Kofi Annan on Saturday 18th August, 2018.  Among his many accomplishments, Mr Kofi Annanâs inspirational leadership will be greatly missed as the Chair of The Elders, which was co-founded by the late Nelson Mandela and Mrs. Graca Machel. He led The Elders,
âMy life started again all thanks to the Women Creating Wealth programme,â - Matilda Kambanga, a business owner, Tanzania   Matilda Kambanga is part of the Graça Machel Trust Women Creating Wealth (WCW) programme that aims to build the capacity of 1 000 women-owned enterprises to grow and scale their businesses in Tanzania, Malawi and
 âWathinta abafazi, wathintâ imbokodoâ is a common phrase that has been used since the 1950s. It translates to when you strike a woman, you strike a rock â enforcing the strength that women are. As we celebrate womenâs day, we remember, not only South African women, but women from across Africa that helped pave
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting childrenâs rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Childrenâs Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescentsâ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trustâs goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a motherâs health and social economic conditions, the early years of a childâs life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.