Least girl- friendly African countries named
AFRICAN countries that are troubled with the highest levels of poverty, conflict and political instability have the lowest progress in realising the rights of girls and are thus rated “least girlfriendly”, according to new research by the African Child Policy Forum ( ACPF).
The latter is an independent pan- African institute of policy research and dialogue on the African child, established with the conviction that putting children first on the public agenda is fundamental for the realisation of their rights and well- being and for bringing about lasting social and economic progress in Africa.
Three Central African nations, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC) and the Central African Republic ( CAR) were listed among the worst African countries to be a girl in by ACPF, which judged governments on several factors, including healthcare, education, and laws and policies that protect girls.
The research revealed that by 2050, Africa will be home to around half a billion girls and young women. If respected and treated as equals, they have the potential to transform the continent’s security and prosperity.
This matters because every penny invested in girls’ education, healthcare and social protection benefits society many times over, while failure to invest in girls results in monumental socio- economic losses, according to Graça Machel, chairperson of the international board of trustees at the ACPF.
“Child marriage alone has resulted in human capital and revenue losses equivalent to three times the entire flow of international aid to the continent. As a mother and grandmother, it weighs heavily on me to see millions of girls robbed of their futures and the potential of our continent diminished,” Machel said.
The research shows that far too often to be a girl in Africa means being denied education, getting married too young, sexual and emotional abuse at home and school, being barred from inheriting property and being last in the queue to access state spending on health, education and social protection.
“As if that were not enough, the Covid- 19 pandemic has exacerbated the abuse, violence and exploitation suffered by millions of African girls,” Machel said.
The ACPF’S Girl- Friendliness Index measures the progress of 52 African governments towards realising the rights of girls. Mauritius, Tunisia, South Africa, Seychelles, Algeria, Cape Verde and Namibia rank in the “most girl- friendly” category.
However, it is no surprise that countries with the highest levels of poverty, conflict and political instability, such as South Sudan, Chad, Eritrea, DRC, Niger, CAR and Comoros, have the lowest scores and are thus rated “least girl- friendly”.
“Girls are key drivers of transformation, and investing in them will trigger a chain reaction that ultimately leads towards a peaceful and prosperous Africa,” Machel said.