What helps women eat well? Control over money, time and decisions matters
1. Close the Food Gap
A national youth HIV prevention strategy for South Africa 2022-2025
5. Build identity, agency and connectedness for teenagers
Orientation + Mobility Report: The importance of orientation and mobility training for learners with visual impairments in South African schools
4. Provide early hearing and vision screening and referral for young children
UNICEF Child Rights Schools Toolkit – Child Participation
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
PrEPWatch: South Africa
5. Build identity, agency and connectedness for teenagers
Start Here: What Children Are Missing
5. Build identity, agency and connectedness for teenagers
Conceptual framework of women’s food environments and determinants of food acquisition and dietary intake in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review
1. Close the Food Gap
Fathers Matter: Amplifying children's unfiltered perspectives on fatherhood
5. Build identity, agency and connectedness for teenagers
Supporting Teen Identity Development: A guide for adults
5. Build identity, agency and connectedness for teenagers
Take5: A pilot study in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) in the Western Cape
5. Build identity, agency and connectedness for teenagers
A Smart Investment in Maternal Health: The Case for Antenatal Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS)
1. Close the Food Gap
Big Wins for Early Childhood: An Investment Guide for Ministers of Finance and Planning
4. Provide early hearing and vision screening and referral for young children
The missing evidence: anaemia, postpartum bleeding and maternal death
1. Close the Food Gap
Building Strong Foundations for Life: Results from the 2025 Early Learning and Child Well-being Study
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Hot off the Press! New Study Shows that MMS is a Smart Investment in Maternal Health
1. Close the Food Gap
Parental and Caregiver Involvement in South African Education
5. Build identity, agency and connectedness for teenagers
The decline of child stunting in 122 countries: a systematic review of child growth studies since the 19th century
1. Close the Food Gap
Childhood stunting fell dramatically over the 20th century
1. Close the Food Gap
Prioritising the fight against stunting in South Africa: Evidence, gaps, and implications: a synthesis of ten papers from a special issue of Development Southern Africa (Volume 42, Issue 6, 2025)
1. Close the Food Gap
The AI WhatsApp bot spotting hearing loss in SA schools
4. Provide early hearing and vision screening and referral for young children
From teddies to tablets: New global research reveals that digital devices are being used to comfort babies and parents
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Playbook on Digital Innovation for Supporting Families. A framework for transformative digital support to parents
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Where is the South African prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder programme? A call to action
3. Protect children and teens by reducing heavy drinking
Closing the equity gap? An overview of progress toward implementing South Africa’s national integrated early childhood development policy
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
The Study on Violence against Children in South Africa. Special Summary for Teens
3. Protect children and teens by reducing heavy drinking
A study on knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents/primary caregivers with children from birth to six years old regarding the importance of play in early learning: Executive summary
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
2026 Background Report for the 2030 Reading Panel
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
The first South African National Gender-Based Violence Study, 2022: a baseline survey on victimisation and perpetration.
3. Protect children and teens by reducing heavy drinking
HANDS-ON Experience Learning
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Measuring stunting and tracking trends in prevalence in South Africa: Conceptual and methodological considerations
1. Close the Food Gap
Scaling Early Parenting Interventions: A Qualitative Investigation of Factors that Enable Successful Scaling of Early Parenting Interventions for Sustainable Implementation and Impact
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Reflections on monitoring parenting programmes during dissemination and scale-up
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
WHOeyes
4. Provide early hearing and vision screening and referral for young children
Child Poverty in South Africa. Assessing changes in multidimensional poverty using the MODA approach (2015–2023)
1. Close the Food Gap
Food Fortification protects billions—but could triple its impact
1. Close the Food Gap
The evolution of antenatal care HIV/syphilis sentinel surveillance in South Africa, 1990–2022, and future directions
By Africa, for Africa: data and action for young children
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Impact of large-scale food fortification programmes on micronutrient inadequacies and their implementation costs: a modelling analysis
1. Close the Food Gap
Transforming Welfare Services: From Child Relief to Women’s Empowerment: The Child Support Grant in Rural South Africa
1. Close the Food Gap
Turning national commitment into community action in a child’s first 1,000 days
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
SA is failing its youngest ears
4. Provide early hearing and vision screening and referral for young children
World Hearing Day | South African Speech Language Hearing Association
4. Provide early hearing and vision screening and referral for young children
Adolescence. An Overlooked Window in Nutrition
5. Build identity, agency and connectedness for teenagers
UNIMMAP-Quality-Standards-Brief-FAQ-web-layout-3-19
1. Close the Food Gap
Defining Parent Responsiveness: A Systematic Review‐Based Theoretical Model
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Acceptability of Antenatal Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) Compared to Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) Supplementation in Pregnant Individuals: A Narrative Review
1. Close the Food Gap
A quiet crisis: Babies born with hearing loss often diagnosed too late in SA
4. Provide early hearing and vision screening and referral for young children
New Technical Brief and FAQ for UNIMMAP MMS Quality Standards Published by UNICEF
1. Close the Food Gap
Introduction of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements in Pakistan through the National Health System: A Pilot Study
1. Close the Food Gap
Newborn and Infant Hearing Screening Facing Globally Growing Numbers of People Suffering from Disabling Hearing Loss
4. Provide early hearing and vision screening and referral for young children
Thrive by Five Index 2024: National Findings
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Effective dietary interventions during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of behavior change techniques to promote healthy eating
1. Close the Food Gap
Burns Awareness Guide » Surgeons for little lives
3. Protect children and teens by reducing heavy drinking
Childhood Illnesses Training Materials For Nurses, Doctors and Community Health Workers
1. Close the Food Gap
World Report on Hearing - Comms toolkit is important to alleviate poverty and ensure proper nutrition and care
1. Close the Food Gap
As Europe drinks less, Big Alcohol turns to Africa
3. Protect children and teens by reducing heavy drinking
At the Crossroads: Life Skills/Orientation Textbook Series
5. Build identity, agency and connectedness for teenagers
Why Is Social Connection So Hard for Young Adults?
5. Build identity, agency and connectedness for teenagers
Amazing to Me
4. Provide early hearing and vision screening and referral for young children
HOPE-Hear
4. Provide early hearing and vision screening and referral for young children
World Report on Hearing - Comms toolkit
4. Provide early hearing and vision screening and referral for young children
Ke Moja WhatsApp Chat Platform (SADAG)
3. Protect children and teens by reducing heavy drinking
Stories for Joy – Early Childhood Development South Africa
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Tiny Happy People
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Children's brains function differently during book reading and screen time
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Welcome to Ethnikids - An Online Childrens Bookstore
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
How early book access can transform South Africa’s future
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Western Cape Government Launches Khulisa Care to combat child stunting and improve maternal nutrition | Western Cape Government
1. Close the Food Gap
Healthy eating on a budget: Cost-effective protein options starting at just R5 | Life
1. Close the Food Gap
Newzroom Afrika Interview: Informal workers are not eligible for maternity and paternal benefits - DGMT
1. Close the Food Gap
SABC News Interview: The maternal support grant is vital to address stunting - DGMT
1. Close the Food Gap
Bhekisisa Health Beat Interview: Focus on moms - DGMT
1. Close the Food Gap
Newzroom Afrika Interview: Government must get behind the Maternal Support Grant - DGMT
1. Close the Food Gap
ENCA Interview: Calls are growing for government to fast-track the implementation of the Maternity Support Grant - DGMT
1. Close the Food Gap
ENCA Interview: New moms are desperate in SA’s malnutrition crisis - DGMT
1. Close the Food Gap
ENCA Interview: Why is South Africa still waiting on the Maternal Support Grant? - DGMT
1. Close the Food Gap
Young children and the polycrisis. Where to from here? Executive Summary
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Young children and the polycrisis. Where to from here?
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Situation Analysis of Children and Adolescents in South Africa | 2024
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
THRIVE Nurturing Care for early childhood development. Country profiles for early childhood development (2025)
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
South Africa Public Expenditure and Institutional Review (PEIR) for Early Childhood Development
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Effective Cross-Departmental and Inter-Governmental Coordination in Early Childhood Development: The First Step in Developing The ECD Sectoral Strategy for the 2024-2029 Medium-Term National Development Plan
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
The Nurturing Care Framework: Indicators for Measuring Responsive Care and Early Learning Activities
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
South African Child Gauge 2024
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Reducing Child Poverty. A review of child poverty and the value of the Child Support Grant.
1. Close the Food Gap
2025 Background Report for the 2030 Reading Panel
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Tobacco and stunting
3. Protect children and teens by reducing heavy drinking
Judicial Handbook for Navigating Online Harms
3. Protect children and teens by reducing heavy drinking
Microchange at Scale: HOW SMALL DATA-DRIVEN SHIFTS CAN TRANSFORM EARLY LEARNING IN SOUTH AFRICA
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Unlocking the Power of Warm, Interactive Conversations
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Do the benefits fade out or not? Understanding influences on short and long-term effects of preschool programmes
2. Support responsive caregiving and language development for very young children
Advancing maternal and child health through Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) in South Africa
1. Close the Food Gap
WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC), 2024 revision
1. Close the Food Gap
The DGMT op‑ed argues South Africa’s high child stunting rate stems from chronic malnutrition and poor maternal nutrition, and urges approving a Maternal Support Grant to financially support pregnant women, improve birth outcomes and reduce long‑term health and economic costs.
The DGMT op‑ed argues South Africa’s high child stunting rate stems from chronic malnutrition and poor maternal nutrition, and urges approving a Maternal Support Grant to financially support pregnant women, improve birth outcomes and reduce long‑term health and economic costs.
This essay argues that the slow global rollout of maternal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) isn’t due to lack of evidence MMS reduces low birthweight and adverse outcomes but rather structural inequities in global health systems. Barriers include fragmented guidance, donor hesitancy, and higher evidence demands in low‑income settings compared with the Global North.
This essay argues that the slow global rollout of maternal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) isn’t due to lack of evidence MMS reduces low birthweight and adverse outcomes but rather structural inequities in global health systems. Barriers include fragmented guidance, donor hesitancy, and higher evidence demands in low‑income settings compared with the Global North.
This is a summary of a Spotlight article highlighting delayed diagnosis of hearing loss in South African babies. It reports that thousands are affected annually, yet few receive early screening, leading to late detection after critical developmental stages, with negative impacts on language, learning, and long-term outcomes, underscoring need for universal screening.
This is a summary of a Spotlight article highlighting delayed diagnosis of hearing loss in South African babies. It reports that thousands are affected annually, yet few receive early screening, leading to late detection after critical developmental stages, with negative impacts on language, learning, and long-term outcomes, underscoring need for universal screening.
This article highlights how many South African children with hearing loss remain undiagnosed due to lack of universal newborn screening and limited audiology services, missing critical early intervention windows. Untreated hearing loss can impair communication, learning and development, increasing long‑term social and educational challenges. It calls for stronger early detection, equitable access to services, and systemic action to support affected children and families.
This article highlights how many South African children with hearing loss remain undiagnosed due to lack of universal newborn screening and limited audiology services, missing critical early intervention windows. Untreated hearing loss can impair communication, learning and development, increasing long‑term social and educational challenges. It calls for stronger early detection, equitable access to services, and systemic action to support affected children and families.
An opinion piece arguing that South Africa’s high childhood stunting rate harms both child development and the economy, and outlines five strategies including cheaper proteins, better food fortification, maternal support, growth monitoring, and limiting unhealthy food advertising to improve nutrition and growth.
An opinion piece arguing that South Africa’s high childhood stunting rate harms both child development and the economy, and outlines five strategies including cheaper proteins, better food fortification, maternal support, growth monitoring, and limiting unhealthy food advertising to improve nutrition and growth.
This country page for South Africa provides data and evidence on eye health, showing current and projected trends in vision loss, causes, and the impact of poor vision. It’s part of a broader interactive platform designed for policymakers and advocates to understand the burden of sight impairment and the importance of investing in eye care services.
This country page for South Africa provides data and evidence on eye health, showing current and projected trends in vision loss, causes, and the impact of poor vision. It’s part of a broader interactive platform designed for policymakers and advocates to understand the burden of sight impairment and the importance of investing in eye care services.
This article explains that teenagers thrive when parents listen, empathize, and provide emotional safety rather than immediately solving problems. Teens need support, understanding, and guidance while developing independence, and benefit from knowing a trusted adult is present to help manage stress without judgment.
This article explains that teenagers thrive when parents listen, empathize, and provide emotional safety rather than immediately solving problems. Teens need support, understanding, and guidance while developing independence, and benefit from knowing a trusted adult is present to help manage stress without judgment.
This article explores why many South African teenage girls drink alcohol despite knowing the harms. It finds drinking as a way to feel part of social groups and “for the vibes,” driven by peer pressure, easy access, and cultural norms. The author highlights the emotional, financial and social costs that extend beyond hangovers.
This article explores why many South African teenage girls drink alcohol despite knowing the harms. It finds drinking as a way to feel part of social groups and “for the vibes,” driven by peer pressure, easy access, and cultural norms. The author highlights the emotional, financial and social costs that extend beyond hangovers.
This policy update summarises a World Health Organization (WHO) global report on alcohol taxation showing taxes on alcoholic drinks are widely applied but too low, poorly designed and often not adjusted for inflation, keeping alcohol affordable and harm high. WHO urges governments to raise and redesign excise taxes on all alcoholic beverages to reduce consumption, improve public health, advance equity and increase government revenue.
This policy update summarises a World Health Organization (WHO) global report on alcohol taxation showing taxes on alcoholic drinks are widely applied but too low, poorly designed and often not adjusted for inflation, keeping alcohol affordable and harm high. WHO urges governments to raise and redesign excise taxes on all alcoholic beverages to reduce consumption, improve public health, advance equity and increase government revenue.
This global assessment found that while most countries tax alcoholic beverages, the excise taxes are often too low, poorly structured, and not regularly updated, keeping alcohol affordable and undermining health gains. It recommends raising and redesigning taxes on all alcohol types to reduce consumption, protect health, and boost government revenue.
This global assessment found that while most countries tax alcoholic beverages, the excise taxes are often too low, poorly structured, and not regularly updated, keeping alcohol affordable and undermining health gains. It recommends raising and redesigning taxes on all alcohol types to reduce consumption, protect health, and boost government revenue.
A discussion on Angola’s pilot Universal Child Benefit called Valor Criança, designed to give regular unconditional cash support to families with young children. It highlights how the programme improved nutrition, health access, empowerment and household well-being, and argues that universal child benefits could be a transformative, affordable part of social security across sub-Saharan Africa.
A discussion on Angola’s pilot Universal Child Benefit called Valor Criança, designed to give regular unconditional cash support to families with young children. It highlights how the programme improved nutrition, health access, empowerment and household well-being, and argues that universal child benefits could be a transformative, affordable part of social security across sub-Saharan Africa.
This is an outline on why a Maternal Support Grant (MSG) is urgently needed in South Africa. It uses graphics to show how a nine‑month cash grant for pregnant women could prevent food insecurity, low birth weight, and stunting, and explains how the MSG would work and its cost/value proposition.
This is an outline on why a Maternal Support Grant (MSG) is urgently needed in South Africa. It uses graphics to show how a nine‑month cash grant for pregnant women could prevent food insecurity, low birth weight, and stunting, and explains how the MSG would work and its cost/value proposition.
This is a summary of a UNICEF-published technical brief and FAQ outlining updated quality standards for UNIMMAP multiple micronutrient supplements. It highlights manufacturing, testing, and compliance requirements to ensure safe, effective products, supporting countries, suppliers, and programmes in delivering consistent, high-quality supplements for improved maternal nutrition outcomes.
This is a summary of a UNICEF-published technical brief and FAQ outlining updated quality standards for UNIMMAP multiple micronutrient supplements. It highlights manufacturing, testing, and compliance requirements to ensure safe, effective products, supporting countries, suppliers, and programmes in delivering consistent, high-quality supplements for improved maternal nutrition outcomes.
This article reports new evidence that antenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) are a highly cost-effective investment in maternal and infant health. Compared with standard iron-folic acid supplements, MMS improves birth outcomes, reduces low birthweight and undernutrition, supports healthier infant growth, and delivers substantial economic returns—estimated at about $37 for every $1 invested.
This article reports new evidence that antenatal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) are a highly cost-effective investment in maternal and infant health. Compared with standard iron-folic acid supplements, MMS improves birth outcomes, reduces low birthweight and undernutrition, supports healthier infant growth, and delivers substantial economic returns—estimated at about $37 for every $1 invested.
Children’s hearing and vision are essential for learning and development. It is recommended that they have their ears and eyes checked annually. If you notice any concerns with a child’s hearing or sight, please ensure they are referred to a healthcare professional promptly for evaluation.
Children’s hearing and vision are essential for learning and development. It is recommended that they have their ears and eyes checked annually. If you notice any concerns with a child’s hearing or sight, please ensure they are referred to a healthcare professional promptly for evaluation.
This publication warns that global anaemia reduction is stalling. Understanding its complex causes, from environmental enteric dysfunction and soil-transmitted helminths to social and political drivers, is crucial. The Commission urges evidence-based targets, integrated interventions, and global collaboration for measurable impact.
This publication warns that global anaemia reduction is stalling. Understanding its complex causes, from environmental enteric dysfunction and soil-transmitted helminths to social and political drivers, is crucial. The Commission urges evidence-based targets, integrated interventions, and global collaboration for measurable impact.
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