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
Leiden University, Netherlands February 8, 2021 *** Professor Ton Liefaard, Vice-Dean for Education Professor of Children's Rights UNICEF Chair in Childrenâs Rights  I thank you so much for that kind introduction.  I also extend my gratitude to: the Faculty Board of Leiden (LAY-DEN) Law School and the College of Deans of Leiden (LAY-DEN) University
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
Mrs Graça Machel urges global leaders to play a part in guiding Covid-19 recovery and reconstruction agenda and implementation of policies that will ensure the interests of all citizens are included.  Mrs Machel said this during the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, which took place on 19th November 2020. The Forum brought together world leaders
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
Africa Gender Index Report Global Launch panelists  The African Development Bank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and UN Women unveiled details of its Africa Gender Index report during a virtual global dissemination event that took place on 01 December 2020. The online event drew more than 150 participants from government,
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.
Money is not food. This is a lesson limestone miners at Tapech Mine located in Moroto district, Karamoja region, learnt the hard way during the COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda. The artisans at Kosiroi whose main job is crushing stone to fill trucks, hardly have time to engage in other activities, including growing food for their
Exploring Mobile Apps for Business during Lockdown In Uganda, just like in any other countries, the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown brought dissolutions to many businesses. However, against all odds, some Women in Uganda found innovative ways to make their businesses survive. A Ugandan entrepreneur Sandra Auma is one of them. Â Ugandan entrepreneur Sandra Auma
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.