Hunger is the single most acute problem facing Africa’s children. As you read this, around sixty million children across Africa suffer from hunger. Not the mildly uncomfortable sort of hunger that comes from skipping the odd meal, but permanent, relentless malnourishment, stunting and wasting. No child should go hungry. I find it
The Graça Machel Trust’s Nutrition Programme Manager, Ms. Rachel Toku-Appiah presented on the effects of hunger and nutrition as well as how issues of gender influence the outcome of our continent’s nutritional status. This presentation took place during the second session at the eighth International Policy Conference on the African Child in Addis Ababa
On the 23rd of May, Mrs Graça Machel gave opening remarks at the Eighth International Policy Conference on the African Child dedicated to the pressing issue of child hunger in Africa. She gave this presentation in her capacity as the chairperson for the International Board of Trustees for the African Child Policy Forum. The African
The Graça Machel Trust has been running a Youth Advocates programme. This is a mentorship programme targeting young people from Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia on how to champion Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) in their countries. In this series we bring you the people behind the programme - the
Mrs. Graça Machel and president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana are Sustainable Development Goal champions. On the 6th of May, they hosted the first ever Inter-Generational Dialogue in Accra Ghana. These dialogues aim at setting the tone for global discussions among Young Future Leaders, City Mayors, Captains of Business
Something exciting is happening at the Graça Machel Trust. In 2020 we will realize our first 10 years of existence. We are excited that you have been part of our journey. Over the next 12-months we will be showcasing our 10-year journey, the highlights and success as well as the stories of impact featuring
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting children’s 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 Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ 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 Trust’s 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 mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.