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

FOREWORD
The Government of Mozambique ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
in 1994, reaffirming its commitment to the progressive realisation of the rights of all Mozambican
children. In recent years, the Government has translated this commitment into a solid policy and
legal framework for the realisation of children’s rights, with the development of its second poverty
reduction strategy (the PARPA II), the National Plan of Action for Children and the forthcoming
Children’s Act.
This Situation and Trends Analysis provides a comprehensive review of the socioeconomic
situation of the ten million children in Mozambique, focusing in particular on the issue of childhood
poverty. The report is informed by a human rights based approach, acknowledging that children
living in poverty face deprivations of many of their rights: to survive, to develop, to participate and
to be protected. A focus on childhood poverty as distinct from adult poverty is critical, as children
experience poverty differently from adults and the impact of poverty in childhood can be lifelong
and intergenerational.
The findings of the report show that while significant advances have been made towards the
realisation of children’s rights, there remains much to be done. Challenges remain in relation to
particular areas of child development, such as nutrition and access to water and sanitation, and the
evidence indicates that some groups of children, such as those living in rural areas and those that
are orphaned and vulnerable, are not benefiting from growth and poverty reduction as much as
other children. The report also highlights the importance of capacity development for sustainable
improvements in child friendly services.
The report was written by a lead team comprised of the Ministry of Planning and Development
and UNICEF and was developed through a consultative process, with the participation of
representatives of the Government, the UN family, bilateral and multilateral donors, nongovernmental
and civil society organisations and children. It is intended to provide an up-to-date
and comprehensive reference for all stakeholders involved in the fight against childhood poverty,
highlighting the varied and interrelated challenges faced by both Mozambican children and by
development partners seeking to address those challenges. This in turn is intended to inform the
development and implementation of policies that help to reduce childhood poverty and strategies
to reach the most vulnerable and marginalised children.
As the country commences the implementation of its second poverty reduction strategy and is
making progress towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, it is imperative for
all development partners to work together, building on the current momentum, to ensure that all
children benefit from social and economic gains of recent years and that concrete improvements
are made in the lives of Mozambican children.
FAO Representative
Mr. Peter Vandor
UNHCR Representative
Ms. Victoria Akyeampong
UNDP Country Director
Ms. Anna Soumaré Coulibaly
UNICEF Representative
Ms. Leila Gharagozloo-Pakkala
UNESCO Representative
Mr. Benoit Sossou
WFP Representative
Mr. Ken Davies
UNFPA Representative
Ms. Petra Lantz
WHO Representative
Mr. El Hadi Benzerroug
UN Resident Coordinator
Mr. Ndolamb Ngokwey
World Bank Country Director
Mr. Michael Baxter
CHILDHOOD POVERTY IN MOZAMBIQUE: A SITUATION AND TRENDS ANALYSIS
5