 Addis Ababa, May 31 2022 - Witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks against African children are hidden and ignored, yet are one of the most gruesome forms of violence against children.  New research from African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) shows that every year, thousands of African children are accused of witchcraft and suffer ritual
The Graça Machel Trust welcomes Shiphra Chisha as the new Director of Programmes. Ms Chisha's tenure began on Monday, 23rd May 2022. Her appointment clearly reflects the company's current state: ready to take on the future. Ms Chisha holds a Master's in Business Administration, Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from the University of Johannesburg and Strategic
Africa continues to be positioned as one of the fastest-growing leaders in financial inclusion initiatives, with several markets at the forefront of establishing cases for the adoption of digital finance to promote access to much-needed services like health, education, and agriculture. In Mozambique, financial inclusion has been identified to provide an opportunity for digital services, particularly
On 8th March 2022, the Graça Machel Trustsâ Women Economic and Social Advancement (WESA) Programme launched a Financial Inclusion Project Documentary to mark this yearâs Womenâs Month celebrations. The launch, which took place virtually via Zoom and Facebook Live, spotlighted the impact stories of some of the women entrepreneurs from the âmissing middleâ who have
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.