africa's children and the post-2015 development agenda.pdf
TRANSCRIPT
AfricA’s children
And
the post-2015
Development AgenDA
Background document for the paper ”Towards an African Position
on Children and the Post-2015 Development Agenda” ACPF, April 2013.
The AFriCAn ChilD PoliCy Forum (ACPF)
ACPF is an independent, pan-African institution of policy research and dialogue on the African
child.
ACPF was established with the conviction that putting children first on the public agenda is
fundamental for the realisation of their rights and wellbeing and for bringing about lasting
social and economic progress in Africa.
ACPF’s work is rights based, inspired by universal values and informed by global experiences
and knowledge. its work is guided by the un Convention on the rights of the Child, the African
Charter on the rights and Welfare of the Child, and other relevant regional and international
human rights instruments. ACPF aims to specifically contribute to improved knowledge on
children in Africa; monitor and report progress; identify policy options; provide a platform for
dialogue; collaborate with governments, inter-governmental organisations and civil society in
the development and implementation of effective pro-child policies and programmes and also
promote a common voice for children in and out of Africa.
The African Child Policy Forum (ACPF)
P.o. Box 1179, Addis Ababa, ethiopia
Tel: +251 (0)116 62 81 96/ 97
Fax: +251 (0)116 62 82 00
email: [email protected]
Websites: www.africanchildforum.org
www.africanchild.info
© 2013 ACPF
Suggested citation:
ACPF (2013). Africa’s Children and the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
Addis Ababa: The African Child Policy Forum.
i
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
ACKnoWleDGmenTS
This report was prepared by a team from ACPF including Assefa Bequele, Annalies
Borrel, negussie Dejene, yehualashet mekonen, Violet odala, Dorothy rozga,
Shimelis Tsegaye and olivia yambi. many other staff members in ACPF have also
made significant contributions to the report. it draws heavily from ACPF’s current
and past research work, which was supported by a number of partners and child
right experts to whom we are most grateful. The paper was peer reviewed through a
consultative process by a technical group of experts from the African union,
economic Commission for Africa, Save the Children, uniCeF, Global network of
religions for Children and several other research institutions. ACPF thanks all of
them for their invaluable inputs.
A special word of thanks also goes to members of ACPF’s international Board of
Trustees and the Chair of the African Committee of experts on the rights of the Child.
Finally, ACPF is also grateful for the generous financial support of all our partners,
specifically uniCeF and iCS, for their contribution towards the preparation and
publication of this report.
liST oF ACronymS
ACPF The African Child Policy Forum
ACrWC African Charter on the rights and Welfare of the Child
AfDB African Development Bank
ArT Antiretroviral Therapy
AuC African union Commission
CFi Child-Friendliness index
CrC Convention on the rights of the Child
eCPAT end Child Prostitution, Child Pornography & Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes
FAo Food and Agriculture organisation
FGm Female Genital mutilation
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GSDrC Governance and Social Development resource Centre
hDi human Development index
iDS institute of Development Studies
iiAG ibrahim index of African Governance
ilo international labour organisation
mDGs millenium Development Goals
oDi overseas Development institute
oeCD organisation for european Cooperation and Development
reCs regional economic Communities
SoWC The State of the World's Children (reports)
un united nations
unDG united nations' Development Group
unDP united nations' Development Programme
uneCA united nations' economic Commission for Africa
unhCr united nations' high Commissioner for refugees
uniCeF united nations' Children's Fund
unoDC united nations' office on Drugs and Crime
unSCn united nations' Standing Committee on nutrition
Who World health organisation
ii
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
tAble oF
contents
SeCtIon I. IntRoDUCtIon
1.1 Background .................................................................................................... 2
1.2 rationale ......................................................................................................... 3
eXeCUtIve SUmmARY ................................................................................ 1
ACKnoWleDGmenTS ......................................................................................... i
liST oF ACronymS ............................................................................................. ii
liST oF FiGureS AnD liST oF TABleS ............................................................ iii
SeCtIon II. ConteXt .................................................................................. 4
2.1 Critical opportunities and Progress in Africa .................................................... 4
2.1.1 Positive economic growth and reduction in poverty ........................ 4
2.1.2 improvements in social outcomes ..................................................... 5
2.1.3 Growing political commitment to children ......................................... 7
2.1.4 Strong family and community cohesion ............................................. 8
2.1.5 emerging new development frameworks and partners .................... 8
2.1.6 A more peaceful and democratic continent ....................................... 9
2.2 The remaining Challenges in Africa .................................................................. 9
2.2.1 Persistent inequalities and high levels of poverty ............................. 9
2.2.2 Continued high levels of malnutrition ................................................ 10
2.2.3 high levels of child mortality ............................................................. 11
2.2.4 Secondary school deficit and inadequate employment
opportunities ........................................................................................ 14
2.2.5 implications of a growing youth population ..................................... 14
2.2.6 inadequacy of child protection systems ........................................... 16
2.2.7 increasing urbanization ...................................................................... 18
2.2.8 State fragility and breakdown in accountability ................................ 18
2.2.9 Capacity challenges ............................................................................. 19
2.3 emerging Global Trends and Challenges ........................................................... 21
2.3.1 The global economic crisis and vulnerability ...................................... 21
2.3.2 The impact of climate change ........................................................... 22
2.3.3 Growing importance of information technology and
social media ......................................................................................... 22
2.3.4 Building on the strengths of the mDGs and addressing
their limitations .................................................................................... 23
SeCtIon III. ConClUSIonS ......................................................................... 24
ReFeRenCeS ............................................................................................... 26
SeCtIon I. IntRoDUCtIon .......................................................................... 2
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Reduction in rates of poverty in Africa between 2000 and 2011 ............................... 4
Figure 2: Improvement in GDP per capita in Africa (2000-2010) .............................................. 5
Figure 3: Reduction in child mortality 2000 –2010 for Africa ................................................... 5
Figure 4: Immunization coverage for measles (2000-2010) ...................................................... 6
Figure 5: Net enrolment rates (% of relevant age group), primary and secondary
over the period 1999-2010 for Africa (Median Value) ................................................. 6
Figure 6: The shrinking pyramid of exclusion: 2006 to 2010 - (Median values) ...................... 7
Figure 7: Prevalence of stunting in Africa (2006-2010) .............................................................. 10
Figure 8: Neonatal deaths for selected countries and Africa (1990 – 2010) ........................... 12
Figure 9: Access to clean water (2010) in relation to MDG target ............................................. 12
Figure 10: Access to improved sanitation (2010) in relation to MDG target (2015) .................. 13
Figure 11: Estimated numbers of under-five children, infant and neonatal
deaths over the period 2010-2050 in Africa ................................................................ 13
Figure 12: Africa’s total and child population estimates over the period 2010-2050 ................ 15
Figure 13: Number of orphaned children in Africa over the period 2003-2009 .......................... 16
Figure 14: Birth registration: Percentage of children less than 5 years old
who were registered in Africa (2000-2010) ................................................................. 17
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Summary of Opportunities and Challenges that Africa faces post-2015 ................... 21
Table 2: Summary of Strengths and Limitations of the current MDGs .................................... 23
iii
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
1
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
The deadline for achieving the millennium
Development Goals (mDGs) comes to an end in
2015, and the process of developing the post-2015
development agenda is well underway. national
Governments and civil society organizations in
Africa are leading and contributing to this global
process to ensure that issues relevant to Africa are
identified, recognized and given priority. in this
context, The African Child Policy Forum (ACPF), as
a Pan-African organization working for the rights
and wellbeing of children in Africa, is committed to
ensuring that children are at the heart of the
international discourse on the post-2015
development agenda. A contextual analysis must
inform the way forward, hence this paper.
Africa is undergoing a period of immense prosperity
and opportunity, which must be the platform on
which any future development agenda should be
grounded. it is evident that Africa has achieved
positive economic growth. There is also evidence of
improvements in positive social development
outcomes, for example, in child mortality and
primary school enrolment. Furthermore, Africa has
succeeded in retaining a strong social fabric and
resilient family networks in the face of adversity. its
future is also promising; it has a growing young,
potentially productive population and a significant
mineral and natural resource base. it is building and
benefiting from new and emerging partnerships.
Africa is generally a relatively more peaceful
continent. yet, despite this progress, Africa also
faces significant challenges. There is evidence of
persistent inequalities and continued exclusion
from social services for the most vulnerable;
unacceptably high levels of child malnutrition; an
inadequate quality of social services, particularly in
education, water and sanitation; increasing national
budget requirements in the social sectors
(education, early childhood development, social
protection, health) associated with a growing, young
population; inadequate child protection systems for
children; increasing urbanization; persistent civil
conflict in some countries and, finally, significant
capacity gaps that limit the ability of many African
Governments to fulfil their obligations to children.
These factors should inform the discourse on the
post-2015 development agenda.
The new development agenda should also
envisage the fact that a number of broader global
trends will increasingly impact Africa’s children,
specifically: the continuing global economic crisis,
climate change and the rapid spread of information
technology. Finally, it is well to recognize that the
mDGs have provided a historical global framework
and have made a significant contribution towards
improving the lives of people, including children in
Africa. Therefore the post-2015 development
agenda must build on the strengths of the current
mDGs and address their limitations.
This analysis identifies a number of considerations
that must be reflected in the post-2015 agenda for
children in Africa, namely the need to ensure: that
commitments are made to the unfinished agenda
and greater attention is given to quality; that child
protection systems including juvenile justice must
be an integral component of broader systems of rule
of law; that social transformative policies translate
economic growth into improved social development
outcomes; and that, in the context of emerging risks
and vulnerabilities, social protection systems are
put in place in order to provide additional protection
for the most vulnerable children.
This situational analysis informs “Towards an
African Position on Children and the Post-2015
Development Agenda” (ACPF, April 2013), a position
paper which aims to draw attention to the central
importance of children and their security in the
current and future development agenda in Africa. it
proposes a framework for action and identifies key
priorities for ensuring that the wellbeing and rights
of Africa’s children are protected, promoted and
fulfilled in the post-2015 development agenda.
eXeCUtIve SUmmARY
1.1 Background
The deadline for achieving the millennium
Development Goals (mDGs) comes to an end in
2015, and the process of developing the post-
2015 development agenda is well underway.
The un Secretary General established a un
System Task Team and also appointed a high-
level Panel of eminent Persons to provide
guidance and recommendations on a post-
2015 development framework. Processes
undertaken by the Task Team and the high
level Panel are complemented by national
consultations in more than 60 countries and a
set of eleven thematic consultations organized
by the united nations Development Group.
Parallel to these complex and fast-paced un
initiated processes, non-governmental
organizations and civil society organizations are
also making substantive contributions.
national Governments and civil society
organizations in Africa are leading and
contributing to this global process to ensure
that issues relevant to Africa are identified,
recognized and given priority. The outcome of
recent high-level consultations1 held in
monrovia, mombasa and Dakar have reaffirmed
that the post-2015 agenda must emphasize
the achievement of structural transformation
through sustainable growth with equity, creating
wealth through sustainable and transparent
management of natural resources, and
partnerships2. national country consultations
have or will take place in 60 countries of which
at least 25 countries are in Africa. Africa’s
commitment to engaging in these global efforts
was recently further reaffirmed by the African
union:
“…..we must ensure that the progress
achieved thus far is sustained and
that Africa’s development priorities
beyond 2015 are fully taken into
account….we should speak with one
voice in advocating for the common
African position on the post 2015
development agenda which is being
crafted with the participation of all
the relevant stakeholders…..” 3
The mDGs have undoubtedly contributed to
improving the wellbeing of children and their
families, including in Africa. At least two of the
mDGs have placed children as central (mDG
Goal 2 and 4) and many of the others have
impacted positively on children indirectly. yet,
there is scope and opportunity to address
some of the well-recognised limitations of the
current mDGs and ensure that a post-2015
development agenda further accelerates global
and continental efforts for children.
2
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
1 led by President of liberia, her excellency ellen Johnson Sirleaf.2 The outcomes of these meetings held in monrovia, liberia (February 2013) and Dakar, Senegal (December 2012)
produced preliminary contributions towards a Pan-African meeting on Post-2015 Development Agenda held in Tunis
(march 2013).3 Prime minister haile-mariam Dessalegn, recently appointed Chairperson of Au, February 3rd 2013.
SeCtIon I. IntRoDUCtIon
in this context, The African Child Policy Forum
(ACPF), as a Pan-African organization working
towards the progressive realisation of the rights
and wellbeing of children, is an important and
interested stakeholder and therefore is
submitting this contribution to the ongoing
dialogue on the post-2015 development agenda.
1.2. Rationale
This situational analysis builds on current work
by eminent un and international non-
governmental organisations as well as ACPF’s
research work on policy research, policy
dialogue and advocacy over the past decade.
it also reflects consultations with child rights
experts throughout Africa4 and children
themselves. it does not aim to be comprehensive
nor exhaustive but endeavours to identify the
key priority achievements, challenges and
trends that impact on the fulfilment of
children’s rights and wellbeing in Africa. This
analysis informs the framework for action and
priorities described in ACPF’s “Towards An
African Position on Children and the post-2015
Agenda”, April 2013.
3
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
4 including a consultation held in Addis Ababa, ethiopia on march 8th 2013 with child rights experts who commented
on an earlier draft of this paper.
2.1 Critical Opportunities and
Progress in Africa
Africa is undergoing a period of significant
prosperity and opportunity, a platform on which
any future development agenda should be
rooted. Some of the most positive developments
and supportive realities include: positive
economic growth; positive trends in a number
of social development outcomes including a
reduction in child mortality and increased
school enrolment; a growing commitment and
interest in children: a strong social fabric and
resilient family network in the face of adversity;
a growing young, productive population that
potentially can contribute to continued
economic growth; a significant mineral and
natural resource base which, along with new
and emerging partnerships, can potentially
contribute to a sustainable -base for social
transformative policies. Additionally, Africa
today is generally a more peaceful continent
than ever before. In summary, there is a
growing recognition of a “new era of Afro-
enthusiasm” and an ‘Africa that is on the rise’.
2.1.1 Positive economic growth and
reduction in poverty
Over the past two decades, despite the global
economic crisis, African countries have achieved
a commendable level of economic growth and
prosperity. Both the rate of poverty and the
absolute number of poor people in Africa
declined during the period 1990 – 2008. The
percentage of people living below $1.25 also
fell significantly in many countries between
2000 and 2011 and for Africa as a whole
(Figure 1).
4
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
Section ii. context
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Figure 1: Reduction in rates of poverty in Africa between 2000 and 20115
5 Based on data from: http://databank.worldbank.org/ddp/home.do?Step=1&id=4, March 2013
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2000-2005 2006-2011
2.1.2 Improvements in social outcomes
Mortality among children under five years old shows a declining trend in many countries throughout
Africa, and a significant decline in child mortality has been achieved for Africa as a whole (Figure 3).
5
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
6 Based on data from the 2012 World Development Indicators, The World Bank.7 Graph shows extrapolation for 2010 – 2015.8 Based on data from UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children Reports, 2010 and 2012.
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Figure 2: Improvement in GDP per capita in Africa (2000-2010) 6
Figure 3: Reduction in child mortality (under five years) for 2000 – 20107 in Africa8
in fact, Africa (excluding north Africa) doubled
its average rate of reduction in child mortality
from 1.2% during the period 1990 – 2000 to
2.4% during the period 2000 – 2010. infant
mortality rates have also declined from 99
deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 71 in
2010 – a 28.3% fall. (mDG report, 2012).
immunization coverage rates against diseases
such as measles have significantly increased
in Africa (Figure 4).
The number of new hiV infections has dropped
by more than 21%, and the prevalence of hiV
has fallen in 21 countries in Africa. This
reduction has been brought about largely as a
result of improved access to antiretroviral
drugs. in fact, the most dramatic increases in
ArT coverage have been made in Africa with a
20% increase from 2009 to 2010 alone (mDG
Progress report). Furthermore, the rate of
transmission from mother-to-child is estimated
to have declined from 35% in 2001 to 29% in
2009 and to 26% in 2010.
Africa has also made impressive progress with
respect to provision of other basic social
services - specifically primary school
enrolment- which increased from 56% in 1999
to 85.5% in 2010 for Africa as a whole. limited
progress has also been achieved with improved
school completion rates (Figure 5).
6
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
9 Based on data from 2012 World Development indicators, The World Bank.
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Figure 5: net enrolment rates (% of relevant age
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1999-2010 for Africa (median Value)9
Figure 4: immunization coverage for measles (2000-2010)
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overall, the number of children excluded from
basic services is decreasing in areas such as
water and sanitation, education, maternal and
child healthcare thanks to better availability of
services and greater public awareness (Figure 6).
2.1.3 Growing political commitment to
children
As measured by the
Child-Friendliness
index (CFi) , Africa is
now a more child
friendly place than it
was five years ago
(ACPF, 2013
forthcoming). African
countries that have
performed well in
relation to the CFi
have achieved this through allocating greater
resources in sectors benefiting children (health
and education); by domesticating and adopting
international and continental laws to protect
children12; and by achieving improved access to
basic services and improved outcomes.
Furthermore, countries that have performed well
based on the CFi are not necessarily those with
the highest overall wealth as measured by GDP,
reaffirming that political commitment is central
in achieving positive child wellbeing outcomes.
This increased commitment to children evident
in some of the poorest countries is further
reaffirmed by information on the Child
Development index (CDi), which indicates that
low-income African countries are making more
progress than their middle-income neighbours
(AuC, 2010).
7
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
10 ACPF, The African report on Child Wellbeing, 2013 (forthcoming) 11 CFi is a composite index that aims to measure governments’ commitment to realise children’s rights and wellbeing
through three specific measurements; (i) the adoption of laws and policies for the protection of children; (ii) government
spending for the provision of children’s basic needs and achievements of child related outcomes and (iii) willingness to
ensure children’s participation. 12 For example, top performer in Africa ratified ilo minimum Age Convention 138 and which sets a minimum age for
employment.
“….The Governmentshould takeresponsibility forpublic health, basicneeds like water,build schools andcreate jobs…” Burkina Faso boy,14-17 years old
Source: ACPF ChildrenPoll, May 2012
March 14th, 2013!
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In Africa, social protection, as an instrument of broader social development in tackling vulnerable groups marginalization has taken on a renewed focus17 (ECA, 2011, World Bank, 2012). However, while national social protection systems are slowly emerging in many countries in Africa, these systems are relatively new, are not yet being implemented to scale, are not comprehensive and are not adequately resourced. The unmet need in social protection for the most vulnerable children in most countries is huge, estimated at about 80% (ACPF, 2011). A recent study on social protection systems undertaken in nine countries in Africa reaffirmed the important role that social protection schemes - as an element of an overall social development strategy – have in Africa’s current and future MDG agenda (ECA, 2011), particularly if these social protection schemes meet a number of conditions. This is particularly relevant in the context of Africa, where countries continue to have large numbers of vulnerable populations, whose vulnerabilities may be exacerbated by emerging risks such as climate change, state fragility and poverty.
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With over 30% of its population suffering from chronic hunger, Africa has the highest percentage of undernourished people in the world (FAO, 2009). An estimated 38% of children in Africa are stunted and over the past two decades there has been little improvement in these trends with at least almost half of countries in Africa showing a deteriorating nutritional situation (UNSCN, 2008) (Figure 7). In Eastern Africa, almost half of the region’s children are stunted, estimated at 45.7%.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!16Source: The African Report on Child Wellbeing, 201x #)!;2K0-<!H@2F7KF02.!37-C6@7C!@7-MM0@37:!0.
African governments have made commendable
efforts over the last few years, to enhance child
protection against abuse and exploitation
through legislative, policy, administrative and
other appropriate measures13. many countries
have, for example, domesticated several
international and regional treaties into national
law, developed national plans of action and
established policy and programmatic
interventions aimed at protecting children from
harm. These positive developments have been
further reinforced through the international
community’s support for the enforcement of a
number of Security Council resolutions that
have impacted positively on children’s
outcomes in Africa.
2.1.4 Strong family and communitycohesion
Children are highly valued in all African
countries and cultures. Families and
communities continue to play the most critical
role in children’s lives in Africa. As well as the
immediate family, the extended family plays an
important role in providing adequate support,
resources and care to children. Parenting
children within the extended family network is
known to promote cooperation, stability and
security in a community (ACPF, 2013
forthcoming). Therefore, the strong social fabric
characteristic of African societies throughout
the continent remains a cornerstone for
development. in periods of crisis and
deprivation, families and extended social
networks continue to play a critical role in
children’s lives in Africa. While many families
become separated for socio-economic reasons,
as one or more parents seek employment
elsewhere, remittances are a valuable form of
support that enables children’s basic needs to
still be met under difficult circumstances.
Furthermore, large swathes of Africa embrace
diverse religions and faiths, which play a critical
role in influencing community support
structures and which potentially enhance
social responsibility at the community level.
2.1.5 emerging new developmentframeworks and partners
The nature and dynamics of Africa’s
engagement in aid and development fora is
changing. There are increasing efforts to
accommodate new actors and contexts more
effectively in the development assistance
equation, including those from Africa, and to
broaden the application of the Paris Principles
beyond aid effectiveness to ‘development
effectiveness’. This shift places greater
emphasis on African countries driving their own
development agenda and recognises Africa’s
engagement in trade and investment
opportunities with new emerging economies
and donors, including China, Brazil and india.
Within the continent itself, the dynamics and
capacities have changed, notably with the
regional economic Communities (reCs) now
playing a more significant role in driving Africa’s
economic growth agenda. At the same time, the
development environment is changing. With the
growing economic crisis and growing austerity
measures, overseas development assistance is
shrinking. however, at the same time, Africa is
increasingly attracting direct foreign investment,
which has now outgrown overseas development
assistance. The challenge is to ensure that
these resources still reach the most vulnerable
through social transformative policies.
8
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
13 This has been enhanced by follow-up to the recommendations of the un Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against
Children.
2.1.6 A more peaceful and democraticcontinent
The number and frequency of inter-state
conflicts has continued to gradually decrease
in Africa. There have been smooth transitions
of power to elected offices in many countries.
interstate conflicts are increasingly being
addressed through interventions by Africans
themselves, through the Au and regional
peacekeeping bodies. Good governance is
taking root in many countries, giving room for
enhanced transparency, accountability and
public participation. in most African countries,
the political debate is becoming, in the words
of uneCA “more mature, peaceful and open”.
Between 2000 and 2011, overall continental
governance14 improved in Africa. According to
the 2012 iiAG report, some 70% of African
countries have improved in overall governance
quality between 2006 and 2011. The
improvement was more significant in the area
of Sustainable economic opportunities and
human Development and much less in the
areas of Safety, rule of law, Participation and
human rights. The Arab Spring has
demonstrated vividly that even where there is
a degree of economic development and
opportunity, people expect not only food, health
and education but also justice, freedom, rights
to political participation and dignity.
2.2 The Remaining Challenges
in Africa
Despite this significant progress, Africa also
faces immense challenges. These include
persistent inequalities and continued exclusion
from basic social services for the most
vulnerable; continued high levels of child
malnutrition and mortality; inadequate quality
of social services particularly in education,
water and sanitation; increasing demands for
increased budget expenditure in the social
sectors resulting from a growing young
population; inadequacy of existing child
protection systems; the social, economic and
environmental consequences of increasing
urbanization; many countries are still facing the
persistence of civil conflict in some countries;
and significant capacity gaps that limit African
Governments’ ability to fulfil their obligations.
environmental consequences of i.
2.2.1 Persistent inequalities and highlevels of poverty
While there are positive trends in terms of
access to social services, inequalities still do
persist in Africa (Figure 6). These inequalities
impact and affect almost all sections of society,
especially poor children, girls and women,
children of marginalised ethnic groups,
children with disabilities and rural populations.
Fewer than 10% of children with disabilities in
Africa attend school (World Vision 2007) which
implies that the rights of millions of children are
being violated15. Poverty continues to
disproportionately affect children and the
positive gains that have been achieved in
poverty reduction in Africa have not necessarily
impacted positively on ‘child poverty trends’16. As
highlighted in a recent un report (un, 2009),
there is a need to realign poverty reduction
strategies more closely with fulfilment of human
rights - including ensuring children’s right to
education and health - if greater and more
meaningful gains are to be made in poverty
9
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
14 As measured by the ibrahim index of African Governance (iiAG) which provides an annual assessment of governance
performance in Africa.15 The 2006 un Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities reiterates the right to inclusive education.16 Child poverty refers to the phenomenon of children living in poverty. This applies to children that come from poor families
or orphans being raised with limited, or in some cases absent, state resources.
11
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
18 13% of all deaths among children under five years could be prevented through achieving universal coverage of exclusive
breastfeeding.
evidence shows that malnutrition, specifically
stunting, potentially impedes economic growth.
For example, it is estimated that a 1% increase
in the prevalence of stunting leads to a 1.4%
decrease in productivity (haddad et al, 1991).
Past studies conducted in Africa have shown
that an increase in prevalence of stunting is
associated with fewer years of school completed
and a reduction in lifetime earnings (Alderman
et al, 2001). The causes of chronic malnutrition
(stunting) in Africa are complex and multifaceted,
yet many of these causes are preventable. For
example, exclusive breastfeeding for the first
six months of life protects and nourishes
infants18. While striking gains in exclusive
breastfeeding practice have been achieved in
Africa, it remains unacceptably low at between
26% and 31%. The food security situation in
Africa overall is worsening. The future challenge
requires both enhancing the available food
stocks and means to access to these foods.
The food crisis in Africa is further aggravated
by social and economic crises, such as
hiV/AiDS and climate change. A greater
investment in multi-sectoral interventions – in
health, water and sanitation, agriculture and
education – which address the underlying
causes of chronic malnutrition and effectively
reverse current levels of stunting, is critical to
enable Africa to reach its economic and
intellectual potential. Well-nourished children
need to be recognised as the cornerstone of
any nation’s economic, social and political
development, and children’s failure to meet
their full development potential places severe
constraints on a nation’s current and future
economic growth and wellbeing.
2.2.3 high levels of child mortality
Despite improvements in child mortality rates,
Africa needs to do more to combat child death.
most child deaths are due to malaria,
pneumonia and diarrhoea. These causes are
preventable. neonatal mortality (deaths during
the first 28 days of life) in Africa remains
unacceptably high (Figure 8).
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Figure 9: Access to clean water (2010) in relation to MDG target 19
19Based on data from uniCeF and Who, Joint monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation, Progress on
Drinking Water and Sanitation: Special focus on sanitation 2012 update.
inadequate access to clean water and
sanitation remains a significant barrier to
further improving child mortality rates in Africa.
nine out of the ten African countries with the
highest under-five mortality rates in the world,
have some of the lowest rates of access to
adequate water and sanitation (ACPF, 2013).
Progress in improving access to safe water and
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(Figures 9 and 10). Climate change and
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water shortages and are likely to have a further
negative impact on these negative trends.
12
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
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13
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
So for all these and other reasons, children
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20Based on data from un Population Division (World Population Prospects: The 2010 revision) and uniCeF’s State of the
World’s Children, 2012
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over the period 2010-2050 in Africa20
14
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
2.2.4 Secondary school deficit andinadequate employmentopportunities
The improvement in
access to primary school
education in Africa has
been impressive, but
there are remaining
challenges. Those
children in the poorest
socio-economic group
are still most excluded
from primary school.
Furthermore, exclusion
from secondary
education is very
common in many countries in Africa,
particularly amongst girls. For example, there
are countries which have attained near
universal primary education for all at the
primary level but have secondary gross
enrolment ratios for girls of only 25% or below
(ACPF, 2013). The low level of secondary
education not only limits the possibility of girls
continuing to higher education but also
effectively excludes them from meaningful
employment opportunities (ACPF, 2013). Gross
enrolment rates in tertiary education in Africa
are even lower, estimated at 5% compared to
17% for developing countries worldwide and
25% for the world (Au, AfDB, uneCA, 2010). For
the minority who complete secondary and
tertiary education, employment opportunities
in the formal labour market are also limited.
2.2.5 implications of a growing youthpopulation
Population dynamics are an integral part of
development efforts, both as a cause and
effect. African population growth rates have
been much higher than in any other region in
the world and Africa’s population is expected
to increase by over 360 million to 1.2 billion by
2025 and to 1.9 billion by 2050 (unDP, 2012).
The proportion of Africa’s population relative to
the world population will rise from its current
15% to an astonishing 22% by 2050 (unDP,
2012). The highest fertility rates in the world
are primarily found in Africa. of the ten
countries with the highest fertility rates, 8 are
in southern Africa (unDP, 2012). As a
consequence, the estimated numbers of
children in Africa is likely reach 861 million by
2050, making Africa one of the most youthful
continents now and possibly in the years to
come21 (Figure 12).
21 Decreasing fertility rates are evident in most urban centers in Africa.
“…..School forme is the key tolife, it enables usto expressourselves, towrite to calculateand go anywherein the world….”Cote d’Ivoirefemale, 14-17years old
Source: ACPF Polls,May 2012
Africa also faces a growing proportion of older
persons (over 60 years). These demographic
shifts have implications for States’ obligations
and are placing greater demands on national
budgets, particularly in the sectors of
education and skills development, health and
social protection. With the growing young
population, globalization and growing youth
unemployment, the nature and extent of public
health problems are also changing. For
example, substance abuse (drug and alcohol)
for young people, including among school age
children, is a growing concern for Africa,
particularly in urban areas. The demand for
and need for adequate reproductive health
services, particularly young women, is
becoming increasingly important in Africa.
With Africa’s economic prospects predicted to
continue to improve, this growing young
population represents a potential productive
workforce that may further drive and accelerate
economic growth – assuming of course, that
these children are adequately nourished,
protected and educated to enable them to
contribute to their full potential. Africa’s growth
will also be sustained if this growing young
population has access to meaningful
employment opportunities.
yet, youth unemployment is higher in Africa
than in east or South Asia (mDG report, 2012).
The informal labour market in much of Africa
provides a cushion – albeit vulnerable – for job
seeking youth and women. however, this
informal job market continues to be
characterized by low wages, poor working
conditions and limited opportunities for skills
development (mDG report, 2012).
15
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
22Based on data from un population Division (World Population Prospects: The 2010 revision) and uniCeF‘s State of the
World’s Children, 2012.
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Figure 12: Africa’s total and child population estimates over the period 2010-2050 22
16
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
2.2.6 inadequacy of child protectionsystems
millions of children in
Africa continue to face
different forms of abuse,
exploitation, neglect and
violence, exacerbated by
circumstances of poverty,
extreme deprivation and
loss of their families.
Without the necessary
comprehensive child protection23 systems in
place, children are forced to engage in early
marriage, child labour, child prostitution,
criminal activities, child trafficking and armed
conflict. For example about 28% of all 5-14
year olds in sub-Saharan Africa are involved in
economic activities as child labourers (uniCeF,
2009) and34% of girls and boys are married as
children (uniCeF, 2011). An estimated 60% of
all trafficking victims in Africa are children
(unoDC, 2006). The numbers of orphans in
Africa continues to increase and in 2009 there
were an estimated 57.6 million orphans in
Africa (uniCeF, 2012) (Figure 13).
Child disability rates range from 10% to as high
as 30% in some countries in Africa (Who,
2011). An estimated 45 million children live on
the streets, including child mothers who
themselves are forced to raise young families
on the streets (Plan international, 2013).
Poverty and conflict have placed a significant
strain on traditional family support systems
and, as a consequence, Africa has become the
new frontier for inter-country adoption.
Between 2003 and 2010, the number of
children adopted from Africa increased three-
fold (ACPF, 2012). underlying the gap in child
protection is the alarmingly poor coverage
(44%) of birth registration in Africa (Figure 14).
Without birth registration systems being
strengthened, the rights of children in Africa
will continue to be violated.
23Child protection refers to legislative, administrative, social and educational measures taken to protect children from all
forms of physical or mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation
(Article 16(1) of the ACrWC and Article 19 of the CrC).24Based on data from uniCeF’s State of the World’s Children reports (2006-2012).
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Figure 13: number of orphaned children in Africa over the period 2003-200924
“….My teacher
is bad because
he proposed to
me….” Ghanafemale, rural14-17 years old
Source: ACPF
Children Poll, 2012
18
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
2.2.7 increasing urbanization
The world’s population is becoming increasingly
urban. By 2050, 7 in 10 people will live in urban
areas (SoWC uniCeF, 2012). rates of
urbanization in Africa are the highest in the
world. By 2025, more than half of the African
population will be urban. Africa‘s urban
population is expected to increase from 12% to
20% of the world’s urban population by 2050.
Currently, an estimated 6 in 10 Africans who live
in urban areas reside in slums (uniCeF, 2012).
Furthermore, recent analyses suggest that
disparities in access to social services for
children, for example in education, are greater
in urban areas than those in rural areas
(uniCeF, 2012). While urbanization is generally
associated with increasing national productivity
as a result of increased economic opportunities,
employment and technology, urbanization has
also brought about problems such as increasing
unemployment, poverty and crime, poor access
to social services, poor sanitation and pollution
(unDP 2012). By the year 2025, the majority of
the poor in Africa will be living in urban as
opposed to rural areas. moreover, the political
and socio-economic externalities of urban
poverty are likely to be much more costly than
rural poverty e.g. crime, instability, and spread
of disease (World Bank, 2001). A growing young
urban population implies significant implications
and responsibilities for ensuring that the youth
and future young adults have the relevant skills
for urban employment
2.2.8 State fragility and breakdown inaccountability
Conflict, poor governance26 and persistent
fragility are major barriers to improving child
wellbeing. it is note-worthy though perhaps not
surprising that no low-income country
characterised as fragile or conflict-affected has
achieved a single mDG27. Such countries tend
to have the highest levels of poverty, the
highest rates of maternal, infant child mortality
and malnutrition and the lowest levels of
access to education, water and health services
(SC, 2010). For example, Sierra leone,
Democratic republic of Congo, Somalia and
Central African republic – all countries either
in conflict or recovering from conflict – have the
highest rates of infant mortalit28, (all countries
reported rates of above 100 deaths per 1,000
live births in 2010)(mDG report, 2012), Civil
conflicts often interact with climatic shocks and
population pressures to drive chronic food
insecurity in Africa. Civil conflict results in
widespread hunger largely brought about by
the purposive disruption of food production and
food distribution systems (unDP, 2012).
Countries affected by conflict also have the
highest rates of population displacement.
Africa has an estimated 9.7 million people–
almost 2 million children – who are internally
displaced (unhCr, 2012). Displacement is not
only caused as a result of conflict but,
increasingly, as a result of family members
leaving in search of work opportunities,
travelling both within the continent and abroad.
As a consequence, significantly more children
are becoming separated from their families for
socio-economic reasons. To ensure the
protection of children in these conflict-affected
and fragile countries, multi-faceted strategies
are required. These may include investing in
social protection measures for the most
vulnerable and ensuring constructive political
dialogues take place which facilitate and lead
to law and policy reforms as well as initiatives
which aim to improve human security and
economic stability.
26 As measured by the ibrahim index of African Governance (iiAG).27 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-robinson/millenium-development-goals_b_2862059.html, march 2013. 28 infant mortality is often used as an indicator of the health status of the country.
19
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
2.2.9 Capacity challenges
Africa continues to face capacity constraints at
many levels. many countries have inadequate
resources for children, many do not have the
mechanisms and structures to implement and
ensure compliance with child protection laws,
and have limited capacity to deliver quality
universal social services. ensuring capacity at
all levels and in all sectors – in terms of having
the institutional arrangements in place, the
leadership, the accountability systems and the
knowledge29 - is central to accelerate progress
towards improving the wellbeing of children in
Africa. Despite the fact that capacity
constraints in Africa are so often identified as
the most significant obstacle for achieving
progress, dedicated long term financial and
technical resources for meaningful capacity
development have been wholly inadequate in
the past.
Budgetary constraints
The rights enshrined in the Convention on the
rights of the Child (CrC) and the African
Charter on the rights and Welfare of the Child
(ACrWC) imply a budgetary obligation by States
for their implementation, particularly with
respect to the sectors of health, early childhood
development, education and social protection.
But progress remains slow in terms of investing
adequately in these sectors.
in the health sector, the median expenditure on
health for African countries was only 9% of total
Government expenditure, much lower than the
15% target set by the Abuja Declaration30.
There were only four countries in Africa that
met this target in 2011 (ACPF, 2011).
Furthermore, no countries in Africa are
spending 34 uSD per capita per year on health,
which is the minimum per capita requirement
as set by the Who. hence, the current level of
investment in health falls far short of regional
and international targets.
early childhood development is also a
neglected area of public concern. only 20 of
the 52 countries reviewed by ACPF had data on
early childhood programmes, indicating that
these programmes are largely non-existent
and, where they exist, it may be pointed out,
are provided by private institutions. As regards
education, despite increasing efforts of
Governments to invest in education, most
countries (40 of 46) still lagged behind the
Dakar31 target of committing 7 – 9% of GDP on
education.
in the social protection sector too, the deficit is
simply glaring. in those countries for which data
was available, most countries that were
analysed spent less than 2% of GDP on social
protection (ACPF, 2013).
A key challenge for Governments is the low
level of tax revenue relative to the national
income and the high level of dependency on
grants and foreign aid. For example, external
resources accounted for more than 30% of
health budgets for many countries in Africa.
improvements in fiscal policies as a result of
economic growth in Africa have not necessarily
been accompanied by social and economic
policies that positively impact on the wellbeing
of children.
even when a significant amount of foreign aid
has been effectively allocated and used for
‘scaling up’ services in relation to achieving the
29Strengthening institutional arrangements, leadership, knowledge and accountability are well recognized as the four
levers of change necessary for effectively developing national capacity (unDG, 2010).30Abuja Declaration on hiV/AiDS, TB and other related infectious Diseases, April 2001. 31Dakar Framework for Action education for All: meeting our Collective Commitments (2000)
20
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
targets in the current mDGs, research has
confirmed that there is inadequate capacity of
institutions to transform these financial
resources into positive development outcomes.
The transparency and efficiency of budget
systems, patterns of expenditure and the
degree of decentralization of resources and
responsibilities, mechanisms to define policy
priorities and accountability systems to hold
governments accountable, are but a few
examples of institutional and policy factors that
can determine a country’s performance in
generating positive development outcomes,
including for children.
Capacity gaps in service delivery
The capacity to deliver quality basic social
services remains a challenge across the
continent. While enrolment figures for primary
education have notably improved, the quality of
education remains a formidable challenge,
demonstrated for example by high pupil-to-
teacher ratios. out of 53 countries in Africa,
only 20 of them have a higher ratio of the
recommended minimum ratio of 1:40 (ACFP,
2013). Capacity gaps in service provision are
even more evident when disaggregated by rural
and urban populations. For example, in the
health sector, specifically in relation to birth
deliveries attended with the assistance of a
skilled birth attendant, it is reported that only
40% of women were attended by skilled birth
attendants in rural areas compared with 76%
of women in urban areas (mDG report: 2012;
70). Accountability systems, including
information management systems that enable
governments to remain transparent and
accountable and to measure effectiveness, are
consistently under-resourced. The knowledge
gap in relation to children’s issues, both
codified and that acquired through education
and training institutions, is also a significant
challenge in Africa. There are undoubtedly no
easy solutions to addressing the complex
capacity gaps in Africa. Capacity development
undoubtedly transcends the current mDGs and
any future development agenda. Capacity
development must increasingly be defined and
driven by African countries themselves and
most importantly, it must be a central priority
in the post-2015 development agenda.
Capacity gaps in enforcement
in general, Africa has achieved enhanced levels
of legal protection for children over the last
several years. Some 34 countries in Africa have
enacted consolidated laws on children. many
have enacted specific laws on child trafficking,
education, sexual offences and harmful
practices including female-genital mutilation
(FGm). however significant challenges remain.
First, while there has been increased ratification
of child related-instruments, progress has been
erratic and inconsistent across the continent.
Second, ratification alone is inadequate.
international and regional standards need to be
domesticated and national laws harmonized.
For example, while many countries in Africa have
established separate juvenile justice systems,
15 have yet to harmonize the minimum age of
criminal responsibility. Third, many countries
face significant technical, financial and
institutional capacity constraints and therefore
have limited enforcement and implementation
mechanisms in place for legal protection of
children. Specifically, most countries in Africa
face capacity constraints to ensure that children
who are in contact with the law have access to
the appropriate services –legal, health and
psychological. A few countries in Africa have put
in place independent national monitoring
systems to strengthen monitoring and
accountability of child-related child protection
laws but there should be greater effort to put
nationally owned accountability mechanisms in
place across Africa.
The opportunities and challenges characteristic
of Africa and relevant to defining the post-2015
development agenda can be summarized in
Table 1.
21
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
2.3 Emerging Global Trends and
Challenges
A number of broader global trends are evident
that will increasingly have an indirect impact on
Africa’s children. The most notable include the
global economic crisis, climate change and
wider access and use of information technology
2.3.1 The global economic crisis andvulnerability
it is estimated that the recent economic crisis
led to an increase in the number of
undernourished globally, from 927 million in
2007 to over 1 billion in 2009 (unDP, 2012).
The crisis has undoubtedly already had a long-
lasting negative impact on Africa’s children –
indirectly and directly (ACPF, 2010). in macro-
economic terms, growth in sub-Saharan African
decelerated from 6-7% to around 2% and the
public budget situation across Africa turned
from surpluses pre-crisis to large deficits post-
crisis. The impact of a further reduction in fiscal
space has created further challenges for
governments to maintain or increase public
expenditure on social protection, education
and health32. This implies that within the
context of a continued volatile global economic
environment, resourcing the social sectors
increasingly needs to be supported through
resources generated nationally rather than
relying on (unpredictable) foreign aid
(Peterson/ACPF, 2010). The rise in food prices
globally between 2005 and 2007 has also had
a direct impact on communities and families,
including on children. For example, the World
opportunities Challenges
• Positive economic growth and reduction in
poverty
•improvements in social development
outcomes
•Greater political interest and commitment
to children
•increasing young population as a potential
productive workforce
•Strong family and social cohesion
•emerging new development partners and
frameworks
•A more peaceful continent
•increasing inequalities
•Stillhigh levels of malnutrition and child mortality
•inadequate budgetary allocation for children,
•resultant demandsfor increased social development
investment
•Poor quality of primary education and significant
gaps in secondary and eCD
•limited employment opportunities
•Capacity gaps, particularly in transforming
policies into practice
•inadequate attention to supporting the family
•increasing urbanization and breakdown in
social networks
•inadequate protection systems
•‘Fragile’ countries facing instability, poor
governance and population displacement
Table 1: Summary of opportunities and Challenges that Africa faces post-2015
32Prior to the global economic crisis, an estimated 21 countries (half in the sample) in Africa had no or low fiscal space
(Summer, A., 2010).
22
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
Bank estimated that the consistent increase in
food prices resulted in a further 100 million
people in low income countries being pushed
further into poverty (World Bank, 2008,
adapted from ACPF. 2010). Furthermore, the
rise in prices have reportedly led to a reduction
in access and consumption of high quality
nutritious foods, a reduction in the available
time for child care as a result of women taking
up employment and finally, increases in food
prices has led to an increase in the number of
children, particularly girls, being withdrawn
from school to compensate for loss of household
income or child care (oDi/Plan, 2008).
2.3.2 The impact of climate change
Climate change is creating significant and
multiple challenges for children and their
communities. Small changes in temperature
and precipitation have the potential of
increasing vector- and water-borne diseases.
Global warming and the associated increase in
the frequency and severity of weather events
and long term environmental degradation have
direct consequences for agricultural
productivity and food security. millions of poor
people across Africa derive their livelihoods
from communal property and natural resource-
bases– such as land, water, fisheries and
forestry– which are being affected by climate
change. Africa may potentially lose 247 million
acres of arable farmland by 2050 as a result
of climate change with obvious implications for
food security (unDP, 2012). As a result of
dramatic weather patterns, more children are
themselves being directly affected, for example
as a result of more families becoming
displaced due to natural disasters such as
floods. Furthermore climate change is likely to
lead to increasing water scarcity and an
associated increase in the number of resource
conflicts (iDS, 2009). Africa is both climatically
and socially vulnerable and now faces significant
challenges to adequately adapt to the current
and projected negative impacts of climate
change. The climatic, social and human
dimensions of vulnerability require complex
solutions such as adaptation, mitigation, coping
mechanisms, resilience building and social
protection. Africa is the continent most
vulnerable to the detrimental impacts of climate
change which are predicted to fall
disproportionately on the poor and to exacerbate
inequalities (Au, AfDB, uneCA, 2010).
2.3.3 Growing importance of informationtechnology and social media
over the past two decades, global innovation
in information technology and communication
has resulted in dramatic changes in
information management, in terms of access,
speed, breadth and volume. Globally, more
people than ever before use mobile telephones
and have access to the internet. The spread of
mobile cellular service is indeed very fast in
Africa. internet coverage in Africa continues to
improve and set to grow further as mobile
broadband becomes more widely available.
The implications of these trends – in terms of
both opportunities and risks – are immense.
The internet is already playing a fundamental
role in children’s educational and learning
experiences, being the largest easily-
accessible, single source of information,
reference materials and knowledge resources.
however, wider access to information
technology also carries grave risks – including
access to and sale of child pornography and,
increased sexual exploitation of children
(eCPAT, 2013). Studies have revealed that girls
in particular are vulnerable to this type of
abuse since their interactions with potential
abusers are no longer limited to their
immediate locality (eCPAT, 2013).
23
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
2.3.4 Building on the strengths of themDGs and addressing theirlimitations
Since 2000, the mDGs have provided a
historical global framework and have made a
significant contribution towards improving the
lives of people, including children in Africa. Any
new framework in the post-2015 development
agenda must build on the well recognized
strengths of the mDGs and at the same time,
address their limitations. These are
summarized in Table 233.
33 This is not intended to reflect an exhaustive review of the current mDGs,it represents a brief informed reflection.
•Change measured as quantifiable, measurable
and accountable targets
•A sustained and strengthened focus on children
under five years
•harmonization of international aid towards
common goals
•A focus on human development and particularly
social development
•A consensus on commitments from the highest
levels
•inadequate focus on quality of services e.g.
completion of school and learning outcomes
•inadequate focus on human rights
•insufficient focus on equity and addressing
inequalities (improving national averages are
inadequate alone)
•inadequate focus on enablers such as capacity
development, not just outcomes
•inadequate focus on protection
•relative neglect of adolescents and youth
•lack of focus on the sustainable resources and
domestic revenue generation/ownership
•A lack of participation and consultation in
defining the goals
Table 2: Summary of Strengths and limitations of the current mDGs
Strengths – what has worked? limitations – what has not worked?
24
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
What then, are the critical issues that should
inform the post-2015 international development
agenda from the perspective of Africa’s
children?
• Given the demographics and their critical
role in Africa’s growth and development,
children and young people must be at
the heart of the post-2015 international
development agenda; and, this must be
anchored in children’s rights and their
wellbeing as enshrined in the African
Charter on the rights and Welfare of the
Child and the Convention on the rights
of the Child.
• There is a need to scale up and
accelerate efforts to meet the current
unfinished agenda of the mDGs. many
countries have made significant
progress, and further progress can be
achieved in the remaining two and a half
years. however, many mDGs will remain
unfinished and therefore still remain
relevant in any future development
framework. it is especially important to
eliminate child deaths from preventable
causes, ensure access to quality primary
and secondary education and invest in
early childhood programmes.
• The extent of sustained efforts,
innovative approaches and resources
required to complete the unfinished
agenda of the mDGs should not be
under-estimated, not least because of
the enormous efforts needed to reach
the most vulnerable children,
marginalized and poor children as well
as the need to address quality and equity
issues.
• A human rights framework has been
largely missing in the current mDGs. if
adopted, it will strengthen the case for
respect for social and economic rights,
and hence spur efforts aimed at
addressing structural causes of poverty
(and child poverty) and ensure
inclusiveness, which are all relevant for
an agenda for children.
• Decades of economic growth in Africa
has not yet contributed to addressing
inequalities, and in some cases, has
even exacerbated them. Disparities
between the wealthiest and poorest
groups are increasing in most African
countries and this trend must be
reversed.
• economic growth, that is likely to be
sustained in Africa, is an opportunity to
accelerate progress for children,
particularly in relation to ensuring that
the increased generation of domestic
resources contributes towards better
resourced and more effective
transformative social policies, including
greater investment in the social sectors,
that benefit children. This will also build
greater ownership and accountability
into the future development agenda.
• The bottlenecks that have impeded
progress and the ‘success stories’ in
Africa need to be better understood so
that greater and more focused attention
can be given to strengthening the
demonstrated and known ‘enablers’ that
drive social development.
SeCtIon III. ConClUSIonS
25
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
• There is an opportunity to give greater
attention to the economic ‘costs’ of
inaction in social development, especially
in light of Africa’s ‘commitment to
economic growth’.
• The family, including the extended family,
remains the strongest element of a
resilient social fabric in Africa and must
be recognized as part of ‘institutional
capacity’ in Africa.
• A sustained commitment to accountability
is fundamental in moving forward and
must be further strengthened through,
first, establishing country-specific
performance targets and putting in place
well-funded internal monitoring
structures, and, second, creating national
commitments to ensuring accountability
to bodies mandated to monitor treaties.
• Social protection as an instrument of a
broader social development must be
given increased attention and resources.
Given the ‘magnitude of vulnerability’
and the significant threats and risks that
the continent faces for example as a
result of climate change, economic
volatility, poverty and conflict, social
protection is needed to protect the most
vulnerable children and reduce poverty
and inequalities.
• Birth registration and comprehensive
child protection systems must be given
increased attention, and this will be a
significant contribution to the rule of law,
governance and justice.
• Adolescents, particularly adolescent
girls, need to be given greater attention
in the future agenda to ensure: that
adequate investments are made to
provide for the development of their full
potential; that they are prepared and
have the skills for emerging job markets;
and that the social and public health
systems are adequately strengthened to
addressing emerging risks such as
substance and alcohol abuse, particularly
in urban areas.
26
AfricA’s children And the Post-2015 develoPment AgendA
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