Credit: World Health Organisation website Screenshot
The World Health Organisation (WHO) believes that, if safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19 are developed, everyone, everywhere who could benefit from these vaccines should have access as quickly as possible, starting with those at highest risk. WHO has provided recommendations about the populations that need to be prioritised. According to The Vaccine Alliance GAVI framework, recommendations were provided that vaccine doses first be made available fairly and equally to all countries until all countries can protect 3% of their population. While putting their trust in their countries global health systems, civil society organisations and corporates are working together to make equitable distributions of vaccines a reality.
On November 25, 2020, the Bloomberg Invest Africa held a virtual roundtable. It provided a platform for African stakeholders and experts to openly share views on how foreign direct investment may be a key driver of the region’s Covid-19 recovery. The participants shared their 2020 reflections; among them was the excitement around optimistic reports of the availability of Covid-19 vaccines.
Speaking during the roundtable, the Graça Machel Trust Interim CEO and Director of Programmes, Dr. Shungu Gwarinda shared views on the equitable distribution and affordability of the vaccines in Africa and the shock to socio-economic systems and families affected by the pandemic.
She said “ Global and regional inequalities exist in our systems in terms of access to healthcare, support, women in business and access to education broadly. It is an area of concern whether there will be equitable distribution of vaccines reaching those that are the most vulnerable and the most in need and those that do not have resources.”
Dr Gwarinda highlighted the work of the Trust around promoting women’s economic advancements and amplifying their voices and its focus on putting children at the centre of Africa’s development agenda. “This is driven by the context in which we live where our vulnerable communities still struggle accessing very basic services”.
She added that equitable access is an area of importance and requires solidarity and collective efforts from all sectors of governments, private sectors and civil society organisations across the continent, working together to drive and advocate for equitable access. “Bold action needs to be taken, but also strong accountability to make sure that there is equitable distribution,” she said.
“It is promising, but we need to look at where our systems are and the context of inequalities specifically affecting more women and children who themselves have been inappropriately affected by the pandemic. It is an area that requires deliberate attention to make sure that there is equitable distribution,”- Dr Shungu Gwarinda.
Reference
GAVI. 22 September, 2020. How can we make fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines a reality? https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/how-can-we-make-fair-and-equitable-access-reality
World Health Organisation News. 28 October, 2020. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Vaccine access and allocation. https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-vaccine-access-and-allocation
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.