Child poverty in Africa: the facts

200,000 child slaves are sold every year in Africa. There are an estimated 8,000 girl-slaves in West Africa alone. (sources: BBC 5 October, 2001 & Anti-Slavery Society)
About 120,000 African children are participating in armed conflicts. Some are as young as 7 years old. (source: Africa Children’s Charter)
Children account for half of all civilian casualties in wars in Africa. (source: Africa 2015)
One in six African children dies before the age of five. Most of these deaths could be prevented. (source: Africa 2015)
Nearly one third of children in Sub-Saharan Africa are underweight. (source: UNICEF)
In sub-Saharan Africa, measles takes the life of a child nearly every minute of every day. An effective measles vaccine costs as little as $1 per child. (source: UNICEF)
Between 12 and 14 million African children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. (source: World Bank/UNICEF)
Nearly 2 million children under 14 years old are HIV positive. (source: UNICEF)
43% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have safe, accessible drinking water. (source: UNICEF)
64% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have adequate sanitation. (source: UNICEF)
Only 57% of African children are enrolled in primary education, and one in three of those does not complete school. (source: Africa 2015)
For every 100 boys there are only 83 girls enrolled at primary school. (source: World Bank)
The above information is available at www.standupforafrica.org.uk/projects/facts

Go to the following website for you to see the impact of poverty on children and the dynamics of childhood poverty. www.futureofchildren.org

Did you know?

Between 1973 and 1979, child poverty was at 12%
1979 - 1983, child poverty rose to 18%
In the 1990s, poverty was at 21%

The world economy is improving but child poverty is getting worse.

According to the www.nccp.org/topics/chilpoverty.html, 13 million children in America live in poverty. This is 17% of all children.

Poverty affects childrern's