In 2020, the Graça Machel Trusts' Women's Economic and Social Advancement (WESA) programme conducted a financial inclusion best Practice study,  documenting the experiences of 60 women in the financial sector from South Africa and Zambia. The data published from this study reveals that women still need additional investor strategies to strengthen their business acumen related
This year, the Graça Machel Trust (GMT) convened a high-level Expert Group of African Women Leaders (ELG) in the finance sector as a group of strong actors to drive systemic action to advance women's active participation in digital economy. The expert leaders have been hard at work addressing structural barriers to gender equality faced by
2020 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, a platform intended to advocate for the political, economic and social advancement of women and girls. However, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic poses a threat to the gains made under the Beijing Platform for Action. This may significantly disrupt actions geared towards tackling
Photo Credit: Annie Spratt  On 15th April 2020, the Graça Machel Trust (GMT) and its African Women in Agribusiness Network (AWAB) hosted a Webinar with The Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) to address the effects of COVID-19 on food systems and agribusiness in the Eastern and Southern African (ESA) region. The Webinar attracted different
 The National Development Plan 2030 (NDP) describes Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) as catalytic economic mechanisms for sustainable development and economic growth. However, this narrative has been drastically disrupted in the past weeks with the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic presents a dual challenge of both economic growth as well as
2020 marks the beginning of the decade of action towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While progress towards the SDGs is being made globally, the rate of progression is slow-paced and risks the potential of not meeting the intended goals by 2030. This year also marks the tenth year Graça Machel Trust
  This year's International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC) focused on celebrating the amazing things girls are achieving that prove they are unscripted and unstoppable! In keeping up with the goals and objectives of the Isithunzi initiative-restoring her dignity, the Graça Machel Trust (GMT) team in partnership with the AngelRock Project South Africa
 The Graça Machel Trust prides itself in its mission of nurturing caring societies, that value social justice and the protection of the rights of women and children. It is through this mission that the staff at the Trust saw it fit to host Isithunzi, a social impact initiative aimed at raising young girlsâ awareness
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.