According to a new report released by the African Child Policy Forum, Africa has become a better place for children over the last five years. The ACPF’s 2013 African Report on Child Wellbeing shows a large reduction in the infant mortality rate and increased access to clean water and sanitation on the continent. However, researchers warn that further investments in health and education are needed to improve African children’s lives.
The Ethiopia-based ACPF investigated and reported on the trends of 52 African governments since 2008, focusing on 44 indicators measuring child protection, provision for children’s basic needs, and participation of children in decisions that affect them. South Africa, Tunisia, and Mauritius topped the list of most child-friendly countries, having put in place child protection laws that resulted in better outcomes for their young citizens. Chad, Eritrea, and the Central African Republic were last, and ranked among the worst places for children to grow up.
According to former Mozambican president Joaqim Chissano, one of the greatest gains for African children over the last five years has been in education. “Achievements on the education front- and particularly the dramatic increase in access to primary education, especially for girls- are commendable,” he said in the report. However, he noted that secondary school enrollment for girls remains low, limiting access to university education and many employment opportunities.
Additionally, researchers noted no clear association between a country’s wealth and its child-friendliness score. Several countries with a low GDP per capita, like Rwanda and Lesotho, outscored others with a higher GDP per capita, like Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
According to researchers a government’s commitment to enforcing child-friendly policy was more important for children’s wellbeing than a country’s wealth.
“It is a matter of political commitment, manifested primarily in a government’s willingness to put children at the top of the policy agenda and prioritize budgets accordingly,” the report said.
Moving forward, the report recommends that African governments to continue to invest in health, education, and child protection, as well as ensure their own accountability and good governance.
The 2013 African Report on Child Wellbeing can be found here.
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Written by Carla Drumhiller Smith