The level of maternal education has been isolated in some studies as the most important factor explaining differences in nutrition and health outcomes of children. However, this association relates to stunting only indirectly, via maternal behaviour (improved care practices and improved ability to benefit from nutrition-sensitive interventions).
The 7th Conference of the International Society for Child Indicators will be held on 27-29 August 2019 in the Dorpat Convention Centre in Tartu, Estonia, and we are happy to once again be part of it. What makes the conference special is the symbiosis of scientists, practitioners and policymakers who come together for one goal – to find better ways to increase child well-being.
Reshaping social protection systems in West and Central Africa is a daunting task as these countries face major institutional and financial constraints. Social protection was usually only usually recognized as having a role in poverty reduction in as much as it allows vulnerable people to maintain or improve their living standards.
Kenya, a country of many contrasts, from its landscape to demographics, and more so its social and economic inequalities, is now trailblazing in its efforts to monitor national progress in improving the wellbeing of all its citizens. Using UNICEF’s Multiple Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (MODA) approach, SPRI Global was delighted to once again collaborate with the Kenyan National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) in facilitating Kenya’s efforts.
As the second most populous country in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies on the continent, Ethiopia is on track to bring millions out of poverty. This path requires an equity approach to ensure the most vulnerable populations receive the support required to participate in the country’s growth. Among these, girls and women face some of the hardest challenges, as there is a long history of gender inequality in Ethiopia, with poorer women and girls especially facing multiple disadvantages.
Like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Lesotho faces significant challenges related to persistent poverty, poor outcomes and hindered development. In January 2016, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) came into effect to focus on strategic areas of development and to provide support for policymaking in achieving national development plans and policies. One strategic area of development is the alleviation of child poverty, which is reflected in SDG1, Target 1.2, aimed at reducing at least by half, by 2030, the proportion of children, men, and women living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
Poverty reduction is a national priority for the Government of Eswatini and SPRI Global was happy to support the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development (MEPD) and UNICEF Eswatini to measure and analyze the complexities of child poverty. The Poverty Reduction Monitoring and Evaluation Division under the MEPD, coordinates programs aimed at promoting inclusive growth resulting in poverty reduction as guided by the country strategy for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth (2022).
On April 2, 2019, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between SPRI Global Director Chris De Neubourg and Thammasat University leadership in Bangkok, Thailand. According to the MoU, both organizations intend to strengthen their cooperation, especially in the field of social policy and social protection by collaborating on developing a set of professional capacity building courses and academic programs. Existing projects will be continued and new initiatives will be developed.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated around the world on the 8th of March and is a day to reflect on how far we have come and how far we still have to go to truly achieve gender equality. Progress and real development will only be possible if all people have equal rights and opportunities to thrive. Meeting that goal requires recognizing that women and girls face particular barriers and have different needs. And then taking deliberate steps so that no woman or girl is left behind, regardless of where she lives or how much she earns, or where she comes from.
UNICEF AND ANTHROPOLOGY
The DNA of cultural-sensitivity in protecting and promoting child rights
by Victor P. Karunan
A central challenge for all international development agencies working in diverse cultural and social contexts in both North and South is cultural-sensitivity in the local environments in which they work and implement their programmes.
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