 We must remember that global threats like COVID-19 demand a coordinated multilateral response. Image by Elf-Moondance from Pixabay.  COVID-19 is an enemy that knows no borders. There will be no final victory until every person in every country is protected. With a population of over 1.3 billion, Africa is one of
To kick off International Womenâs Day, one of Zimbabweâs leading newspaper The Business Connect had a special edition that salutes the women who defined an integral decade in the fight for equality, feminism and womenâs rights. Â Their tribute read in part: âThis yearâs compilation Zimbabweâs Iconic Women of the Decade is a collection of bold,
As part of its activities to mark this yearâs International Womenâs Day on March 8, The Graça Machel Trust and TikTok partnered to run the #WomenofNow campaign. The campaign was used to introduce the Graça Machel Trust Expert Leaders Group on Womenâs Financial Inclusion in the Digital Economy (ELG). The Expert Group convened by the
Graça Machel Trust founder, Mrs Graça Machel is (ALM) African Leadership Magazineâs African Climate Champion of the year 2020. She and alongside 10 other distinguished Africans including World Health Organization, Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Nana Akufo-Addo the President of Ghana were recognised during a virtual event on February 26.  Mrs Graça
One in every four adolescent girls in the world lives in Sub-Saharan Africa. If well nurtured, they will be integral in Africa's social transformation and economic development. In the last few months, Mrs. Graça Machel has focused on developing a movement focused on nurturing African adolescent girls' innate power.  Photo credit: Annie-Spratt
âGirls are ready to leadâŚput girls in charge. You will be pleasantly surprised by what they can do.â This riveting statement made by UN Womenâs Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka captures the essence of the astute and engaging panel discussion on overcoming barriers to education for girls in a COVID-19 world. The online webinar held on
446th Dies Natalis of Leiden University.  Graça Machel Trust Founder, Mrs Graça Machel was conferred the title of âDoctor Honoris Causaâ of the University of Leiden in the Netherlands on February 8, 2021. In a special ceremony, which marked the 446th anniversary of the university, Mrs. Machel was made an honorary doctor
On February 5, Global Peace launched a Futures Forum virtual Global Inter-Generational Dialogue attended by a panel of young leaders who challenged their fellow youth to play an active role in advocating for change.  Founder of the Graça Machel Trust, Mrs. Graça Machel, who also serves as Chair of Global Peace and member of
A few weeks before her due date, Gloria Nalwoga watched a TV report featuring a story of a mother who had died while walking to hospital during the COVID â 19 lockdown. Her heart went out to the woman and all the other disadvantaged expectant mothers living in rural Uganda unable to access proper transportation
Immaculate Atwine, from Ntungamo District western Uganda, is an Agri-business women entrepreneur, specializing in processing pure millet flour for porridge and ghee from cow milk. Her company Nepstat Limited, like most companies, suffered several setbacks due to the lockdowns enforced by the government early in the year.  Millet, image by Couleur, Pixabay.
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.