The Role of AU/NEPAD in Social Protection

Transcription

1 The Role of AU/NEPAD in Social Protection Study Tour - Social Protection in Brazil Brasilia, Brazil 26 August 2008 Boitshepo Bibi Giyose Food and Nutrition Security Advisor AU/NEPAD

2 NEPAD - what is it? An African Initiative Programme of the African Union Mandated by the OAU, adopted in 2001 A vision and framework for Africa s Renewal Major priority and goal is poverty reduction and improved food and nutrition security (MDG1)

3 AU-NEPAD Role Facilitation Coordination Brokering

4 NEPAD Goals and Objectives To eradicate poverty To encourage sustainable growth and development To halt the marginalization of Africa, enhance participation in the global economy To accelerate the empowerment of women

5 Status of Food & Nutrition Insecurity in Africa 337 million Africans consume less than 2,100KCal per day 200 million Africans are chronically malnourished 5 million die of hunger annually 126 million children are underweight About 50% children are stunted 25 million live with HIV/AIDS Vitamin Mineral Deficiencies are unacceptably high 12 deaths occur per minute due to hunger and malnutrition

6 Malnutrition and Hidden Hunger in Africa Acute Malnutrition: 2 25 % Stunting (children < 5 years): 10 - > 50% Anemia, Iron: < 5yrs 40%, pregnant women 80%, 40% general pop. Vitamin A deficiency: 60% general pop Iodine Deficiency: 5% * Hidden Hunger victims not aware! * No obvious signs Source: MI, FAO, WFP, CRHCS, UNICEF

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8 African Context Africa is extremely diverse 53 countries Cultures and traditions vary Governance varies (challenge!) Level of education, perceptions, expectations vary Level of development and economies differ Priority issues are not the same More than 50% of population live on less than $1 a day More than 80% rely on agriculture mostly women

9 Then and Now Historically societies relied on strong family support for several issues extended family Lifestyles are now more cosmopolitan and Africa is at a cross roads socially, economically, nutritionally!

10 Gender roles and women s needs Most of Africa s population is rural About 80% still rely on agriculture for livelihood Most of these in agriculture are women (men are in mining etc. ) Yet women bear the brunt of food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition and the disease burden e.g. HIV/AIDS Do women outlive men? Implications for targeted social protection [care for OVC and others]

11 The Health and Nutrition Transition Over-nutrition and Undernutrition co-exist Diets low in nutrient quality high fat, high sugar, preservatives, low fiber, Micronutrient deficiencies remain high in poor nation states Emerging disease crises (HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria etc.) Globally (Africa included) NCDs account for the majority of morbidity and mortality By 2020 NCDs will account for 80% of disease burden Will cause 70% of deaths in developing countries

12 Millennium Development Goals 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 2. Achieve universal primary education 3. Promote gender equality and empower women 4. Reduce child mortality 5. Improve maternal health 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases 7. Ensure environmental sustainability 8. Develop a global partnership for development

13 Goal 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Malnutrition is partially irreversible Malnutrition is intergenerational Malnutrition erodes human capital Malnutrition reduces resilience to shocks Malnutrition reduces productivity through impaired mental capacity Malnutrition reduces productivity through impaired physical capacity Improved nutrition reduces poverty by: Boosting productivity throughout the lifecycle Boosting productivity across generations

14 What is being done?

15 AU-NEPAD Role Facilitation Coordination Brokering

16 Sector Initiatives at AU & NEPAD Agriculture Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) 2003 Health Strategy 2003 & Africa Regional Nutrition Strategy (ARNS) 2005 Gender, Youth and Civil Society Strategy 2005 Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action 2006 Infrastructure spatial development Pan African Nutrition Initiative and Framework for African Food Security (2008)

17 Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)

18 CAADP PILLARS CAADP S MAIN INVESTMENT PILLARS LAND MANAGEMENT AND WATER CONTROL RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND MARKET ACCESS INCREASING FOOD SUPPLY AND REDUCING HUNGER RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DISSEMINATION / ADOPTION

19 CAADP Pillar III The Framework for African Food Security (FAFS) sets out 4 objectives for achieving the pillar vision to increase resilience at all levels by decreasing food insecurity and linking vulnerable people into opportunities for agricultural growth. These 4 objectives are: Improved risk management Increased supply of affordable food through increased production and improved market linkages Increased economic opportunities for the vulnerable Increased quality of diets through diversification of food among the target groups.

20 AU/NEPAD Flagship Areas and Programmes (CAADP Pillar 3) Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) Fortification of foods with essential vitamins and minerals (including Bio-fortification) 20+ countries National/Regional strategic food reserves Support with agriculture inputs seed, fertilizer, irrigation, etc. Promotion of production and consumption of nutrient dense foods Policy Review and Advocacy (across sectors) Capacity Development

21 HGSF Targeting criteria Areas with low school enrolment and high dropout rates, particularly for girls Vulnerability to food insecurity and malnutrition due to HIV/AIDS /TB/Malaria pandemics, and natural/human-made causes, including postconflict environments All learners in targeted primary schools

22 Work in Progress & Way Forward High Food Prices Initiative - support to more 25 countries (agriculture and other inputs) Support selected countries with development of bankable project proposals for identified priorities Resource mobilisation & capacity development Advocacy and support for scaling-up of various programme/projects (do away with pilot mentality!) Tracking and monitoring of programme implementation

23 Some observations and final thoughts Optimum nutrition is the cornerstone of all human, social and economic development Nutrition continues to prove to be the best (preventive) medicine and a good investment Most countries CAN afford to provide social protection!!!!!! Real commitment to human development and survival Sound prioritization Better management and prudent use of resources Good governance Involvement of all sectors (+ Private sector) Robust targeting, M & E (to prevent and minimize leakages) Information management systems (Early warning and emergency preparedness) Learn and apply lessons from some African and other success stories (e.g. Botswana, Mauritius etc) We need to apply all tools, instruments, strategies at our disposal e.g. AU Strategy on Social Protection, Africa Ten Strategy for Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies, Framework for African Food Security, Pan African Nutrition Initiative etc

24 Contact us: