In many parts of Africa, adolescent girls still face significant barriersālimited access to health services, inadequate education, and social stigma. These challenges donāt just hinder their personal growth ā they can silence potential leaders and changemakers. But what if, instead of being held back, these girls were equipped and supported to lead? Thatās the goal
The GraƧa Machel TrustāsĀ Pan-AfricanĀ AdolescentĀ GirlsāĀ Movement recentlyĀ introduced a community outreach initiativeāthe Innovation Challengeāthat enabled girls toĀ identifyĀ key issues in their communities and design creative solutions with real impact. By collaborating withĀ WomandlaĀ Foundation Trust andĀ ErrymapleĀ High School in Zimbabwe, Future Lift Foundation and Break-through Centre in South Africa, and the Foundation for Adolescent Girls and Young People Zambia (FAPEZA) in Zambia,
"There is no effort too little to make a change," said Shiphra Chisha, Director of Programmes at the GraƧa Machel Trust, as she addressed an enthusiastic crowd of over 100 adolescent girls from Katlehong, Leondale, and Soweto. Affectionately known as the "Eagles," these girls are part of the Trust's Pan African Adolescent Girlsā Movement and
Ā On March 19, 2024, the GraƧa Machel Trust's Adolescent Girls Movement Programme hosted its 3rd annual Pan African Adolescent Girls Jubilee. The hybrid event provided a significant dialogue and connected over 250 Ā high-spirited adolescent girls and young women aged 10 to 20 in five African countries to address some of the most pressing issues
Education is the cornerstone of a brighter future. Nevertheless, the world continues to grapple with a pressing challenge: the high number of out-of-school children. According to aĀ UNICEFĀ report, in 2022 alone, more than 244 million children worldwide were not attending school, with girls being disproportionately affected. Sub-Saharan Africa bears the heaviest burden of this global education
Credit: GMT/Domtila Chesang Ā Education is a fundamental and widely recognised human right, yet UNESCOĀ estimatesĀ that over 60 million children are missing out on primary education. Behind these staggering numbers lie the untold stories of children whose potential remains untapped, dreams left unfulfilled, and futures clouded by inequality. It is within this context of
The Adolescent Movement, an initiative of the GraƧa Machel Trust, is impacting the advocacy agenda for African young girls. With a focus on sexual reproductive health, leadership, mentoring and confidence development, the Movement is bringing together generations to bridge the gap. In February 2023, the Movement hosted its SHE SPEAKS Meeting, a hybrid event to
āWe should be respectful, but we must also have the courage to stop harmful practices that impoverish girls, women and their communitiesā - GraƧa Machel, Founder - The GraƧa Machel Trust Ā Ā The Day of the African Child (DAC) is celebrated annually on June 16. It was first initiated by the Organisation of African
Ā 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. Ā New research from African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) shows that every year, thousands of African children are accused of witchcraft and suffer ritual
Photo: GraƧa Machel Trust Archive Ā The 7th African Day of School Feeding is celebrated on 01 March 2022 to ensure that the COVID pandemic does not reverse the gains made in 2019, which saw 65.4million children receiving school meals on the African Continent. An unprecedented increase of 71% compared to 2013 was
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting childrenās 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 Childrenās Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescentsā 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 Trustās 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 motherās health and social economic conditions, the early years of a childās life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.