What we are reading...

This page reviews global research showing that unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) direct financial payments with no requirements on how they’re spent raise incomes, improve food security and mental well-being, and often lead to greater spending on essentials. Evidence from randomized studies finds that recipients invest, maintain employment, and don’t waste funds on harmful goods, with some effects lasting years and benefiting local economies too.

This page reviews global research showing that unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) direct financial payments with no requirements on how they’re spent raise incomes, improve food security and mental well-being, and often lead to greater spending on essentials. Evidence from randomized studies finds that recipients invest, maintain employment, and don’t waste funds on harmful goods, with some effects lasting years and benefiting local economies too.

This is a 2025 meta‑analysis of 51 studies that assessed how ChatGPT affects student learning outcomes. It found that using ChatGPT is associated with large improvements in learning performance and moderate gains in students’ learning perceptions and higher‑order thinking. The effects varied by course type, learning model and duration of use, and the study recommends structured integration of ChatGPT into teaching and learning to enhance educational benefits.

This is a 2025 meta‑analysis of 51 studies that assessed how ChatGPT affects student learning outcomes. It found that using ChatGPT is associated with large improvements in learning performance and moderate gains in students’ learning perceptions and higher‑order thinking. The effects varied by course type, learning model and duration of use, and the study recommends structured integration of ChatGPT into teaching and learning to enhance educational benefits.

This peer-reviewed systematic review and meta-analysis examines how cash transfer (CT) programmes affect child nutrition in low- and middle-income countries. It updates earlier evidence by pooling 129 study estimates, finding that cash transfers modestly improve height-for-age and other nutrition outcomes (e.g., reduced stunting and increased dietary diversity), especially when combined with behavioural support such as water, sanitation and hygiene communication.

This peer-reviewed systematic review and meta-analysis examines how cash transfer (CT) programmes affect child nutrition in low- and middle-income countries. It updates earlier evidence by pooling 129 study estimates, finding that cash transfers modestly improve height-for-age and other nutrition outcomes (e.g., reduced stunting and increased dietary diversity), especially when combined with behavioural support such as water, sanitation and hygiene communication.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), with the Department of Social Development, has launched the Ke Moja WhatsApp chat platform to support youth struggling with substance abuse. It offers free, easily accessible live chat counselling via WhatsApp, aiming to reach more young people who prefer messaging and to guide them toward help and resources.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), with the Department of Social Development, has launched the Ke Moja WhatsApp chat platform to support youth struggling with substance abuse. It offers free, easily accessible live chat counselling via WhatsApp, aiming to reach more young people who prefer messaging and to guide them toward help and resources.

This handbook provides judges and legal practitioners with guidance on applying South African law to online harms — such as hate speech, disinformation, and harmful digital content. It explains legal standards, relevant statutes, case law, and practical decision‑making tools to help courts protect fundamental rights while addressing emerging digital challenges.

This handbook provides judges and legal practitioners with guidance on applying South African law to online harms — such as hate speech, disinformation, and harmful digital content. It explains legal standards, relevant statutes, case law, and practical decision‑making tools to help courts protect fundamental rights while addressing emerging digital challenges.

This study explores how South African caregivers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing understand and enact their role in early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI). It highlights caregivers’ lived experiences, perceived responsibilities, and the barriers they face—including systemic, logistical and resource constraints—that influence access to timely screening, diagnosis and intervention services.

This study explores how South African caregivers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing understand and enact their role in early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI). It highlights caregivers’ lived experiences, perceived responsibilities, and the barriers they face—including systemic, logistical and resource constraints—that influence access to timely screening, diagnosis and intervention services.

This is a research article examining how well pregnant women in the Parepare district of Indonesia adhere to recommended multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) during pregnancy. It finds that while over half of women took many MMS tablets, many started late, and earlier initiation was linked to higher adherence, highlighting the importance of early antenatal care engagement.

This is a research article examining how well pregnant women in the Parepare district of Indonesia adhere to recommended multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) during pregnancy. It finds that while over half of women took many MMS tablets, many started late, and earlier initiation was linked to higher adherence, highlighting the importance of early antenatal care engagement.

This study quantifies the global burden of dietary iron deficiency using Global Burden of Disease 2021 data. It shows that about 16.7 % of people worldwide had dietary iron deficiency in 2021, with higher prevalence among women, children and low-SDI regions. Although rates fell since 1990, the condition remains widespread, highlighting the need for supplementation, food security and fortification efforts.

This study quantifies the global burden of dietary iron deficiency using Global Burden of Disease 2021 data. It shows that about 16.7 % of people worldwide had dietary iron deficiency in 2021, with higher prevalence among women, children and low-SDI regions. Although rates fell since 1990, the condition remains widespread, highlighting the need for supplementation, food security and fortification efforts.

This story shows how Julia’s mother shares a creative skill passed down from her grandmother, allowing Julia to explore, learn, and express herself in her own way. It highlights the value of family traditions and shared experiences in nurturing creativity. By offering supportive guidance and new opportunities, parents can help children discover their abilities, grow confidence, and surprise them over time with their unique talents.

This story shows how Julia’s mother shares a creative skill passed down from her grandmother, allowing Julia to explore, learn, and express herself in her own way. It highlights the value of family traditions and shared experiences in nurturing creativity. By offering supportive guidance and new opportunities, parents can help children discover their abilities, grow confidence, and surprise them over time with their unique talents.

The Ethnikids website promotes an online children’s bookstore specialising in diverse, inclusive books and stationery featuring characters of colour and materials in various South African languages. Its mission is to ignite a love of reading and representation for young readers, offering selections by language, age group, and cultural relevance.

The Ethnikids website promotes an online children’s bookstore specialising in diverse, inclusive books and stationery featuring characters of colour and materials in various South African languages. Its mission is to ignite a love of reading and representation for young readers, offering selections by language, age group, and cultural relevance.

This is a UNICEF Innocenti strategic framework that identifies key research priorities to close critical evidence gaps for children with disabilities and ensure their full inclusion in policy and programs. Developed through extensive global consultation, it promotes disability-inclusive, participatory research, outlines priority topics (e.g., education, protection, social support), and calls governments, donors and researchers to act on evidence for real-world impact.

This is a UNICEF Innocenti strategic framework that identifies key research priorities to close critical evidence gaps for children with disabilities and ensure their full inclusion in policy and programs. Developed through extensive global consultation, it promotes disability-inclusive, participatory research, outlines priority topics (e.g., education, protection, social support), and calls governments, donors and researchers to act on evidence for real-world impact.

This article describes a planned mixed‑methods research project to learn how two parenting programmes Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children and for Parents & Teens are being spread and scaled across multiple low‑ and middle‑income countries. It explains how the study will examine how these interventions are implemented, factors affecting implementation and sustainment, programme reach, family outcomes, and costs to better understand dissemination and scale‑up processes in real‑world settings.

This article describes a planned mixed‑methods research project to learn how two parenting programmes Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children and for Parents & Teens are being spread and scaled across multiple low‑ and middle‑income countries. It explains how the study will examine how these interventions are implemented, factors affecting implementation and sustainment, programme reach, family outcomes, and costs to better understand dissemination and scale‑up processes in real‑world settings.

The article highlights cost‑effective protein choices starting from around R5, like Shoprite’s budget liver burgers, lentils, beans, chicken hearts, liver, and tinned fish. Nutritionists recommend bulk buying and using diverse protein sources to balance cost with nutrition and support overall health.

The article highlights cost‑effective protein choices starting from around R5, like Shoprite’s budget liver burgers, lentils, beans, chicken hearts, liver, and tinned fish. Nutritionists recommend bulk buying and using diverse protein sources to balance cost with nutrition and support overall health.

This research article investigates caregivers’ preferences for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) services in South Africa. Using conjoint analysis with 31 caregivers, it identifies key service attributes such as home-language provision, nearby diagnostics, home-based early intervention, integrated support, and lower costs that could improve access, equity, and family-centred EHDI care.

This research article investigates caregivers’ preferences for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) services in South Africa. Using conjoint analysis with 31 caregivers, it identifies key service attributes such as home-language provision, nearby diagnostics, home-based early intervention, integrated support, and lower costs that could improve access, equity, and family-centred EHDI care.

This is a systematic review and meta‑analysis evaluating home visiting programmes designed to support vulnerable families’ children. It synthesises evidence on how these interventions affect children’s mental health, psychosocial well‑being and developmental outcomes, identifying which programme features are most effective in improving early childhood trajectories.

This is a systematic review and meta‑analysis evaluating home visiting programmes designed to support vulnerable families’ children. It synthesises evidence on how these interventions affect children’s mental health, psychosocial well‑being and developmental outcomes, identifying which programme features are most effective in improving early childhood trajectories.

This journal article shows that despite dramatic improvements in survival, nutrition, and education over recent decades, today’s children face an uncertain future. Climate change, ecological degradation, migrating populations, conflict, pervasive inequalities, and predatory commercial practices threaten the health and future of children in every country. In 2015, the world’s countries agreed on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet nearly 5 years later, few countries have recorded much progress towards achieving them. This Commission presents the case for placing children, aged 0–18 years, at the centre of the SDGs: at the heart of the concept of sustainability and our shared human endeavour.

This journal article shows that despite dramatic improvements in survival, nutrition, and education over recent decades, today’s children face an uncertain future. Climate change, ecological degradation, migrating populations, conflict, pervasive inequalities, and predatory commercial practices threaten the health and future of children in every country. In 2015, the world’s countries agreed on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), yet nearly 5 years later, few countries have recorded much progress towards achieving them. This Commission presents the case for placing children, aged 0–18 years, at the centre of the SDGs: at the heart of the concept of sustainability and our shared human endeavour.

A report by UNICEF Innocenti which explores nine core capacities such as empathizing, observing, listening, and inquiring that are foundational for children’s living, learning, and well-being. It synthesises evidence on how these skills develop and how education systems and broader social policies can nurture them to improve children’s growth and potential worldwide.

A report by UNICEF Innocenti which explores nine core capacities such as empathizing, observing, listening, and inquiring that are foundational for children’s living, learning, and well-being. It synthesises evidence on how these skills develop and how education systems and broader social policies can nurture them to improve children’s growth and potential worldwide.

This study, part of the Safe Passage Study, investigates the relationship between alcohol exposure before and during pregnancy and its potential impact on fetal growth and development. It aims to understand how maternal alcohol consumption at different stages of pregnancy may affect the growth trajectory of the fetus, using ultrasound and birth measurements to provide evidence that can guide public health recommendations and interventions for maternal and child health.

This study, part of the Safe Passage Study, investigates the relationship between alcohol exposure before and during pregnancy and its potential impact on fetal growth and development. It aims to understand how maternal alcohol consumption at different stages of pregnancy may affect the growth trajectory of the fetus, using ultrasound and birth measurements to provide evidence that can guide public health recommendations and interventions for maternal and child health.

This study examines heavy drinking and its risk factors among adults in South Africa using data from the International Alcohol Control (IAC) study. It identifies individual and contextual determinants associated with heavy alcohol consumption — such as drinking environments, socioeconomic conditions, and behavioural patterns — to better inform public health strategies aimed at reducing harmful drinking and its associated harms

This study examines heavy drinking and its risk factors among adults in South Africa using data from the International Alcohol Control (IAC) study. It identifies individual and contextual determinants associated with heavy alcohol consumption — such as drinking environments, socioeconomic conditions, and behavioural patterns — to better inform public health strategies aimed at reducing harmful drinking and its associated harms

A handbook providing practical guidance for policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders on selecting, designing, implementing, evaluating and scaling evidence‑based parenting interventions. It offers step‑by‑step tools, templates and examples to support effective programme delivery across settings, emphasising stakeholder engagement, monitoring and sustainability. The resource bridges research evidence with real‑world practice to strengthen parenting support and improve child development outcomes globally.

A handbook providing practical guidance for policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders on selecting, designing, implementing, evaluating and scaling evidence‑based parenting interventions. It offers step‑by‑step tools, templates and examples to support effective programme delivery across settings, emphasising stakeholder engagement, monitoring and sustainability. The resource bridges research evidence with real‑world practice to strengthen parenting support and improve child development outcomes globally.

This practical guide helps civil society, educators, researchers and advocates monitor the implementation of young children’s right to quality ECCE through a human-rights lens. It explains why and how to monitor ECCE, includes human-rights indicators (access, quality, financing, governance, inclusion, privatisation) and offers guidance on reporting and advocacy at local to international levels.

This practical guide helps civil society, educators, researchers and advocates monitor the implementation of young children’s right to quality ECCE through a human-rights lens. It explains why and how to monitor ECCE, includes human-rights indicators (access, quality, financing, governance, inclusion, privatisation) and offers guidance on reporting and advocacy at local to international levels.

The Burns Awareness Guide from Surgeons For Little Lives provides educational materials in multiple languages to help prevent paediatric burn injuries and promote burn safety and first‑aid awareness, supporting broader public education and injury reduction efforts

The Burns Awareness Guide from Surgeons For Little Lives provides educational materials in multiple languages to help prevent paediatric burn injuries and promote burn safety and first‑aid awareness, supporting broader public education and injury reduction efforts

A new neuroimaging study showing how a preschoolers’ brain activates differently during live book reading versus screen‑based storytelling, with book reading engaging social and language‑related brain regions more strongly than screen time, highlighting potential cognitive and developmental benefits of shared reading.

A new neuroimaging study showing how a preschoolers’ brain activates differently during live book reading versus screen‑based storytelling, with book reading engaging social and language‑related brain regions more strongly than screen time, highlighting potential cognitive and developmental benefits of shared reading.

This report shows global under‑five mortality has more than halved since 2000, but progress is slowing. In 2023, an estimated 4.8 million children died before age five, mostly from preventable causes. Persisting inequities mean children in low‑resource and fragile settings face far higher risks, underscoring the urgent need for renewed investment and policy action.

This report shows global under‑five mortality has more than halved since 2000, but progress is slowing. In 2023, an estimated 4.8 million children died before age five, mostly from preventable causes. Persisting inequities mean children in low‑resource and fragile settings face far higher risks, underscoring the urgent need for renewed investment and policy action.

This report presents the latest stillbirth data and evidence from 195 countries. It shows nearly 1.9 million stillbirths in 2023, highlights that many are preventable with quality maternal and childbirth care, reveals major regional disparities, and outlines key interventions to reduce stillbirths and improve counting and bereavement support.

This report presents the latest stillbirth data and evidence from 195 countries. It shows nearly 1.9 million stillbirths in 2023, highlights that many are preventable with quality maternal and childbirth care, reveals major regional disparities, and outlines key interventions to reduce stillbirths and improve counting and bereavement support.

This research article explores how caregivers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing experience early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) services in South Africa. The study found that while some aspects of family‑centered care are working, systemic, linguistic and cultural barriers like language mismatches, fragmented services, limited paternal involvement and insufficient respectful engagement undermine equitable, effective EHDI practices and highlight the need for more culturally responsive, coordinated care.

This research article explores how caregivers of children who are deaf or hard of hearing experience early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) services in South Africa. The study found that while some aspects of family‑centered care are working, systemic, linguistic and cultural barriers like language mismatches, fragmented services, limited paternal involvement and insufficient respectful engagement undermine equitable, effective EHDI practices and highlight the need for more culturally responsive, coordinated care.

This narrative study explores caregivers’ experiences accessing Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) services in South Africa, identifying systemic, logistical and financial barriers to timely diagnosis and support for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. It also highlights facilitators such as family support and counselling, emphasising the need for policy reform, expanded screening, financial assistance and public awareness to improve paediatric hearing outcomes.

This narrative study explores caregivers’ experiences accessing Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) services in South Africa, identifying systemic, logistical and financial barriers to timely diagnosis and support for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. It also highlights facilitators such as family support and counselling, emphasising the need for policy reform, expanded screening, financial assistance and public awareness to improve paediatric hearing outcomes.

This study examines how young children’s brains respond to traditional book reading versus digital screen exposure. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), researchers measured brain activity, especially in language and cognitive control regions. The study found stronger activation and connectivity during book reading, suggesting it may better support language development and comprehension compared to passive screen time.

This study examines how young children’s brains respond to traditional book reading versus digital screen exposure. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), researchers measured brain activity, especially in language and cognitive control regions. The study found stronger activation and connectivity during book reading, suggesting it may better support language development and comprehension compared to passive screen time.

This report is part of the Blue Umbrella Day campaign, which focuses on raising global awareness of sexual violence affecting boys an under‑recognised issue. It explores harmful social norms, barriers to reporting and support, and how attitudes toward masculinity can silence boys’ experiences. The report calls for improved data, tailored services, community education, and advocacy to better protect and support boys affected by sexual abuse

This report is part of the Blue Umbrella Day campaign, which focuses on raising global awareness of sexual violence affecting boys an under‑recognised issue. It explores harmful social norms, barriers to reporting and support, and how attitudes toward masculinity can silence boys’ experiences. The report calls for improved data, tailored services, community education, and advocacy to better protect and support boys affected by sexual abuse