The Graça Machel Trust (GMT) partnered with the African Development Bank (AfDB) Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) on a webinar on accountability for Southern African civil society organizations (CSOs). The convening rallied CSOs from eight Southern African countries on 28 April 2021, discussing accountability and good governance in projects funded by multilateral development banks.
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In opening remarks, Vanessa Moungar, Director of the AfDB’s Gender, Women and Civil Society, said, “the role of CSOs in promoting principles of transparency and accountability, and in amplifying citizens’ voice and participation are key ingredients in achieving inclusive and sustainable development.”
This was echoed by Dr Shungu Gwarinda, the Acting CEO of GMT, which is also a member of AfDB’s civil society committee, said the issues around accountability and promoting the role of civil society organizations is at the core of GMT’s work. “We advocate for women and children to be at the top of Africa’s agenda, and our mission is around amplifying women’s movements, influencing governance, promoting women’s contributions and advocating for the protection of children’s rights and dignity.”
Dr Gwarinda also shared reflections on the importance of accountability and how the continent is behind on progress and milestones in achieving the sustainable development goals ( SDG 2030) and the Agenda 2063 aspirations and goals given the impact of the COVID19 pandemic.
Among the seven fundamental aspirations listed in Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want- the African Union’s (AU) shared 50-year development and transformation program for realizing the full potential of the continent- one stands out in its interconnectedness: “[a] Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law.” The key to Africa’s political and economic transformation in the next decade is found in this aspiration. Indeed, as former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said, “Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.” Foresight Africa Report, 2020.
Dr Gwarinda applauded the Banks efforts and commitments made in engaging CSO’s as a critical sector to enhance accountability and the impact of the Bank’s role in driving inclusive development. “We are pleased, as the Graça Machel Trust, to be a member of the Bank’s civil society organizations committee for 2020 /2022, a member of the renewed AfDB-CSO committee under the thematic lead on Gender,” she said.
Read more about the webinar here
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.