The Graça Machel Trust Nutrition Programme represented the Trust at a High -Level Dialogue in Nutrition on 01st December 2018 where Minister Jeff Radebe was a guest of honor. This high-level dialogue attracted Youth Leaders and Global Citizens in nutrition who voiced out their experiences and efforts in their work which contributes to building on Madibaâs legacy of Ending Hunger and Malnutrition on the African continent.
During the event, there was a panel discussion on Exploring the Data from the 2018 Global Nutrition Report -AU Malabo Biennial Report which highlights on the processes and profiles the role of champions in creating change in the continent.
Interesting findings from the 2018 Global Nutrition Report, âShining the light on data to get us to act!â were presented by Bloombergâs Distinguished Associate Professor of Global Food & Agricultural Policy and Ethics, Jessica Fanzo, who pointed out that âThe current burden of malnutrition is unacceptably high, Africaâs obesity levels are rising, the food system is globalized and Africa is a huge market for packaged foods, sugar, soda, salt, highly processed diets.â Adding that we have never been better equipped to end malnutrition.
The 2018 Global Nutrition Report shares insights into the current state of global nutrition, highlighting the unacceptably high burden of malnutrition in the world. It identifies areas where progress has been made in recent years but argues that it is too slow and too inconsistent and puts forward critical steps that are needed to speed up progress to end malnutrition in all its forms. To strengthen the input from Southern Africa, the Graça Machel Trustâs Nutrition Programme Manager, Rachel Toku-Appiah was the South African representative on the stakeholder group which provided feedback on the draft of the Global Nutrition
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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.