These 2023 “Country Profiles for Early Childhood Development” are developed by UNICEF in collaboration with Countdown to 2030 Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent’s Health. The profiles are an attempt to compile, in one place, the available data for country and cross-country monitoring and to provide a baseline against which progress can be monitored.Read More →

This report summarizes the findings of a multicountry study examining the impact of formula milk marketing on infant feeding decisions and practices, which was commissioned by WHO and UNICEF. The research study – the largest of its kind to date – draws on the experiences of over 8500 women and more than 300 health professionals across eight countries (Bangladesh, China, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Viet Nam). It exposes the aggressive marketing practices used by the formula milk industry, highlights the impacts on women and families, and outlines opportunities for action.Read More →

These “Country Profiles for Early Childhood Development” are developed by UNICEF in collaboration with Countdown to 2030 Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent’s Health. The profiles are an attempt to compile, in one place, the available data for country and cross-country monitoring and to provide a baseline against which progress can be monitored.Read More →

In an article published in 2016 by the World Economic Form, Linda M. Richter, Director of the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development at the University of the Witwaterstrand, argues that low-cost interventions which facilitate and support nurturing care for infants in their first years of life contribute to lifelong health, wellbeing and productivity. The economic benefits of these interventions far outweigh the investment costs. “Simply put, we need to intervene earlier than we currently do.”Read More →

These “Country Profiles for Early Childhood Development” are developed by UNICEF in collaboration with Countdown to 2030 Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent’s Health. The profiles are an attempt to compile, in one place, the available data for country and cross-country monitoring and to provide a baseline against which progress can be monitored.Read More →

Working with national governments in Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa, PATH has developed or updated counseling aids, reporting tools, and information, education, and communication materials to facilitate attention to all aspects of nurturing care in maternal and child health services at facility- and community-levels. Read More →

UNICEF South Africa, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Basic Education and the LEGO Foundation have developed and distributed easy to understand early learning activity sheets for parents and caregivers of children birth to 5 years. The early learning activities are playful and can be easily incorporated into daily routines using low-cost/no-cost resources. The activity sheets enable parents to support the early learning and development of their children while at home during the COVID-19 lockdown. Translation into the 11 South African languages is underway.Read More →

Under the National Integrated Early Childhood Development (ECD) Policy of 20154, the Department of Health is responsible for providing a comprehensive package of ECD services for children aged 0-2 years, including support for responsive caregiving and early learning, at health facility and household levels.Read More →