Child Poverty in Mozambique. A Situation and Trend ... - Unicef

A. Children
Children’s right to participate in the development process is paramount. In recent
years, the participation of children and young people has received increased attention
in Mozambique, through, for example the “Chokwe Declaration” 6 , the participation
of young people in the Provincial Poverty Observatories during the elaboration of the
PARPA II, and the series of national and provincial “Children’s Parliaments” 7 .
B. Family and community
Families and communities are the primary caregivers of children and the first duty
bearers responsible for respecting, protecting and fulfilling children’s rights to
survival, development and participation. Families are responsible for the adequate
care of children. As families live in communities, communities have a responsibility
in demanding services for their members and for ensuring that all children in the
community are well cared for, protected and have access to the services they
need. These responsibilities need to be matched with material, enabling and social
capacities and require that families and communities are provided with adequate
access to resources and information to enable them to fulfil their duties towards
children.
C. Civil society organisations
Civil society and organisations within civil society, such as non-governmental
organisations (NGOs), community based organisations (CBOs), faith based
organisations (FBOs), religious groups, trade unions, media organisations, private
sector associations and academics are the channels through which people
participate in the political and social life of their society. Civil society organisations
(CSOs) can make demands, advocate for the rights of children at local and national
level and engage in policy dialogue with the Government. CSOs can play a role
in monitoring and evaluating government actions in relation to poverty reduction,
making demands and requiring explanations when necessary. They can also provide
effective and efficient services, extending government capacity through partnerships
for implementation and can build capacity at district and provincial level during the
process.
D. Government
As a signatory of the CRC and other international child and human rights conventions
and with a democratic mandate, the Government of Mozambique bears the primary
responsibility for the progressive realisation of child rights. The Government of
Mozambique is organised in central and territorial levels. At the central level, the
Executive is headed by the President of the Republic, who presides over the Council
of Ministers and specific Ministries and subordinated institutions. At the territorial
level, the Constitution provides for 11 provinces, which are made up of 146 districts,
343 administrative posts and 1,048 localities. Mozambique also has 33 municipalities
covering urban areas, which have some budgetary autonomy.
The Ministries of Health (MISAU), Education and Culture (MEC), Public Works and
Housing (MOPH), Women and Social Action (MMAS) and the National Council
for the Fight Against HIV/AIDS (CNCS) are of particular importance for children.
6 The “Chokwe Declaration” emerged from the National Meeting of Youth held in the town of Chokwe in 2002. The declaration highlights a wide
ran
7 The series of provincial and national children’s parliaments conducted from 2002-2005, whilst somewhat limited in their scope and degree
of representation, highlighted the need to listen to the views of children and young people, though the place of Children’s Parliaments in the
country’s democratic processes is still being defined (UNICEF and Ministry of Youth and Sports, 2005).
CHILDHOOD POVERTY IN MOZAMBIQUE: A SITUATION AND TRENDS ANALYSIS
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