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 →

Early learning activity sheets 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 canRead More →

TheirWorld has looked at the issue of nurturing young children in South Africa through the eyes of an ECD centre owner, a charity worker and an academic.  Thuthukile Mhlungu, owner and principal of Inkanyezi ECD centre, says: “For a long time ECD has been lacking political support. So now it’sRead More →

Although under-5 mortality rates continue to fall in South Africa, many children fail to reach their full potential as evidenced by high levels of stunting1 and suboptimal educational outcomes2. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, a shift of focusRead More →