 The Graça Machel Trust has been very involved in providing platforms to discuss and strategize around the impacts of COVID-19 through various initiatives which have highlighted the critical role women play in managing both their professional lives and home lives, particularly in times of crisis. In Mrs Machel words of âNever waste a good
Photo Credit: Eye for Ebony  Thursday, August 9, 1956, might have begun like any other day but it South Africa; it marked a turning point in the countryâs history. In one of the largest protests ever held in the country, 20,000 women of all races marched to Pretoriaâs Union Buildings with a
 With women in Africa making about half of the total continent population, itâs no wonder they play a key role in the economies of the continent. A recent report by the World Bank further indicates that sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world where women make up the majority of those who are entrepreneurs.
The economic impact of COVID19 remains a great concern everywhere. On May 26, 2020, the Graça Machel Trust partnered with ABSA Kenya through a series of virtual convenings that seek to support entrepreneurs during this unprecedented environment. During the Leading through Change Webinar, high-level representatives from the Absa Kenya Leadership team and expert speakers offered insights on
Johannesburg, South Africa 05/08/2020  120 business women based in South Africa make up a group of entrepreneur cohorts under the Graça Machel Trust (GMT) Women Creating Wealth (WCW) program, an Entrepreneurship Development Programme that has already positively impacted 300 high growth entrepreneurs in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia.  The programme commenced in February of
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.