Togo

Background

Click for a detailed map (PDF)

This map does not reflect a position by UNICEF on the legal status of any country or territory or the delimitation of any frontiers.

A power struggle triggered by the death of Togo’s head of state, who had held office for 38 years, led to some 35,000 Togolese fleeing to neighbouring countries and caused another 10,000 people to be internally displaced. Economic sanctions and a decrease in development aid has caused a progressive decline in health and education services.

Issues facing children in Togo

• Children face an array of threats that have worsened in recent years, including human trafficking, violence and sexual exploitation.
• Children living with HIV/AIDS are especially marginalized and vulnerable to abuse. Young people are increasingly vulnerable to the spread of HIV/AIDS.
• School enrolment rates have stagnated, and repetition rates remain high. Girls continue to lag behind boys in primary school enrolment.
• Many early childhood development centres are not running smoothly, as communities struggle to pay the salaries of the social workers who run these facilities.

Activities and results for children

• Togo has remained polio-free since July 2003.
• Immunization coverage to protect children against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus continues to improve.
• UNICEF and its partners have provided food and other humanitarian assistance to thousands of internally displaced persons.
• After the recent social unrest, UNICEF assisted some 230 children who fell victim to trafficking and exploitation, and was able to reunite many with their families.
• UNICEF supported the government in developing a national plan of action for the return and reintegration of internally displaced persons and refugees. School supplies and subsidies for school fees were provided, benefiting 5,000 children in the affected areas.
• Hundreds of teachers have received training to eliminate discrimination against girls in the classroom. Community members have been mobilized to improve the local management of UNICEF-supported schools.
• UNICEF lent its strong support to the finalization of a new Children’s Code, as well as a new law on child trafficking. Thirty-five magistrates have been trained to implement the new legislation.