Countries of West and Central Africa

Countries of West and Central Africa

 

UNICEF Cape Verde

Resolving disparities among the nation’s islands is among the serious challenges facing Cape Verde. Although absolute poverty rates have fallen substantially in the past 15 years, poverty remains a widespread problem that greatly increases the vulnerability of children. While the country as a whole enjoys stability, there is ongoing concern that Cape Verde has become a transit point for international trade in illicit drugs.

Issues facing children in Cape Verde

    * More than 80 per cent of births are not registered within the child’s first month of life, which is required by law.
    * Children from poor households, especially girls, often drop out of school. Many of these children enter the labour market without training or skills and subsequently become unemployed.
    * One third of women and 17 per cent of men are illiterate. Just over 60 per cent of women have a primary school education compared to almost 70 per cent of men.
    * There is no mobilization effort or communication campaign underway to educate young people about HIV/AIDS prevention.

Activities and results for children

    * UNICEF supports the country’s National Immunization Days. In addition to providing transportation, communication and social mobilization, UNICEF supplies vaccines to prevent polio, hepatitis B and measles.
    * Primary school net enrolment ratios exceed 90 per cent. Girls are now surpassing boys in average secondary school attainment.
    * In Santa Catarina and São Miguel, 130 female community instructors and assistant instructors were trained, along with 17 early childhood coordinators.
    * UNICEF furnished and equipped five pre-schools in Santiago and Santo Antão.
    * UNICEF and its partners have provided psychosocial support to dozens of children who were the victims of abuse and neglect.