CRC/C/MDG/3-4 - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

CRC/C/MDG/3-4
C. Political and institutional context
25. After the crisis of 2002, the country returned to political and institutional stability.
The 2006 presidential election resulted in the re-election of President Marc Ravalomanana,
thus making it possible to continue his policy of financial, economic, legislative, judicial,
social and environmental reform.
26. A constitutional reform took place on 4 April 2007. The constitutional provisions
pertaining to the protection of women’s and children’s rights were maintained.
27. With regard to development policy, in July 2003 the Government adopted the
Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) covering the period 2002-2006, based on good
governance, infrastructure development, education, health and support for the private
sector.
28. In the PRSP, the promotion of children’s rights is taken into account within the
sectors of health, education, social welfare and justice, among others.
29. In order to build upon the poverty strategy reduction paper, in 2004 the Government
adopted the vision document “Madagascar naturally.” The vision reprises 11 PRSP
programmes, emphasizing strengthening the rural world; extending the value chain;
expanding infrastructure; research and development; partnership and technology.
30. With the intent to promote a culture of performance and of traceability of
Government actions, the country has set the State Overall Policy (PGE), adopted by the
Council of Ministers, on an annual basis since 2005.
31. Various kinds of financial support have been obtained to reduce poverty: poverty
reduction support credit from the World Bank, a European Union poverty reduction support
programme and the United States Millennium Challenge Account.
32. In November 2006, the country adopted its new strategic plan for development
pertaining to the period 2007-2011 based on the “Madagascar naturally” vision: the MAP -
Madagascar Action Plan. This plan aspires to meet the challenges of rapid, sustainable
development with an approach based heavily on decentralization.
33. The MAP is divided into eight commitments:
• Responsible governance;
• Connected infrastructure;
• Educational transformation;
• Rural development;
• Health, family planning and the fight against HIV/AIDS;
• High-growth economy;
• Environment;
• National solidarity.
34. The objectives pertaining to the implementation of the rights of the child are
included in Commitments 1, 3, 5 and 8 and are related to good governance, educational
G16 transformation and national solidarity, which includes registering births, reducing
child labour and protecting those who are poorest and most vulnerable.
35. With regard to health, the MAP integrates the MDGs for maternal and child health,
with an emphasis on the control and prevention of malaria, HIV/AIDS and malnutrition;
and access to water and sanitation. The national objectives are aimed at achieving by 2012
22 GE.10-42176 (EXT)