The European Union and UNICEF mark 50 years of partnership with Guinea-Bissau on behalf of children

As part of the Europe Day celebrations, the European Union and UNICEF are marking 50 years of partnership with Guinea-Bissau and 50 years of UNICEF’s presence in the country, reaffirming their joint commitment to promoting and protecting children’s rights and the well-being of their families.

Since Guinea-Bissau gained independence, the European Union and UNICEF have worked side by side with the Guinean government, communities and civil society to improve children’s living conditions, strengthen health, education and social protection systems, and promote opportunities for future generations.

Over the past five decades, the country has made significant progress in maternal and child health. Under-five mortality has been reduced by more than two-thirds, whilst an increasing number of women now have access to antenatal care and deliveries attended by qualified health professionals. The expansion of vaccination programmes has also played a key role, enabling more and more children to be protected against preventable diseases. These advances demonstrate that, with consistent investment and strong partnerships, it is possible to save lives and ensure a healthier future for mothers and children in Guinea-Bissau.

In the domain of education, initiatives have been supported to strengthen the quality, management and equity of the education system, from pre-school education to technical and vocational training, promoting greater opportunities for children and young people. The European Union is also one of the main global contributors to the Global Partnership for Education, whose funds are implemented in Guinea-Bissau with partners such as UNICEF to improve access to education, learning and the protection of children in school settings.

The partnership between the European Union, UNICEF and the State of Guinea-Bissau has been instrumental in strengthening child protection systems, including at community level. This collaboration has led to improvements in services designed to prevent and respond to violence against children, promoting safer, more inclusive and participatory environments for all girls and boys.

The elimination of female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage and other harmful social practices and norms – such as discrimination against Talibé children – has been at the heart of our organisations’ priorities. The growing engagement of communities, families and civil society organisations in the phasing out of FGM and other harmful practices, combined with the active participation of adolescents and young people as agents of change, has contributed decisively to ending these practices.

Initiatives to protect Talibé children and measures to facilitate birth registration in remote areas of the country have enabled thousands of children to access their fundamental rights, including education, healthcare and legal protection.

The UNICEF Representative in Guinea-Bissau stated:

"These 100 years of combined experience, a century of collaboration between the European Union and UNICEF in Guinea-Bissau, demonstrate that when we work side by side with the people of Guinea-Bissau, we are able to turn commitments into concrete results for children, women and young people. The progress achieved is proof that collective and sustained action is essential to ensuring a better future for everyone, particularly for children.”

The European Union Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau stated:

“Half a century of partnership between the European Union and Guinea-Bissau — and 50 years of uninterrupted action by UNICEF in this country — prove that change is possible when we join forces. Progress in child health, the reduction in mortality, and the fight against harmful practices such as female genital mutilation show that, when we work side by side with the Guinean people and partners such as UNICEF, commitments translate into results that transform lives. The European Union remains committed to this path, because we believe that every child in Guinea-Bissau deserves to grow up with dignity, security and hope for the future.”

As they mark 50 years of partnership with Guinea-Bissau, the European Union and UNICEF reaffirm their commitment to continuing to work side by side with the people of Guinea-Bissau to ensure that all children in Guinea-Bissau can grow up healthy, protected and educated, with opportunities to fulfil their full potential.