Mozambique at a glance

Mozambique at a glance

Country Programme 2007-2009

Country Programme 2007-2009

Country Programme 2002-2006

Country Programme 2002-2006

UNICEF history in Mozambique

UNICEF history in Mozambique

 

Country Programme 2002-2006

© UNICEF/MOZA/00750/G.Pirozzi

UNICEF and the Government of Mozambique have signed a Country Programme for the period 2002-2006 which aims at fundamentally improving the living conditions and prospects of children in the country. The overall goal of the co-operation is to support and strengthen Mozambique’s commitment and capacity to promote, protect and fulfil children’s rights, and meet their basic needs.  The guiding frames of reference are the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).  Within the second UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF II), the Programme responds to the priorities and targets set out in the country’s Action Plan for the Reduction of Absolute Poverty (PARPA).

The priorities of the Country Programme

• Child survival aiming at giving all children the best possible start to life.
• Basic Education with a focus on improving girls’ opportunities to go to school and learn what they need to know.
• The fight against HIV/AIDS, which the single largest threat to the development of Mozambique and affects more and more children.
• Child Protection, in order to ensure that children can grow up in an enabling and protective environment. 

These priorities guide all UNICEF activities. The UNICEF programmes Basic Education, Nutrition & Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion, and Special Protection as well as the cross-cutting programmes Social Policy, Monitoring & Evaluation, Programme Communication and External Relations focus all their activities on these priorities as well.

The main objectives of the Country Programme

• Reduce infant and under-five child mortality by strengthening prevention and treatment against the major causes of diseases such as malaria and diarrhoea as well as immunisable illnesses.
• Improve maternal health and reduce maternal mortality.
• Reduce infant, young child and maternal malnutrition.
• Strengthen the country’s capacities to promote, protect and fulfil children’s right to education and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.
• Provide children – especially girls -- with the skills, knowledge and confidence to manage life’s challenges and fully participate in Mozambique’s development.
• Prevent HIV infections and care for those affected and infected.
• Strengthen the country’s capacities to reduce vulnerability and ensure protection and care measures for children at risk.

The strategy of the Country Programme

UNICEF’s strategy is guided by the principle of a universal realisation of children’s and women’s rights following a human rights based approach to programming. It involves the Government on a national, provincial and district level, and also includes communities, civil society organisations, and young people and children themselves.