Case Studies

 

We have designed these hypothetical—but realistic—situations to reflect the complex challenges of C4D in UNICEF’s work with children and families.  They include the social statistics and data you will need to address discussion questions.  We are using hypothetical case studies because course participants work in many countries, and we were concerned that some might not consider a case study from another country relevant to their own work.  Because these case studies are not country-specific (although we have provided fictional country names) they will help you to understand key issues and strategies, without placing them in a particular context.  You will have plenty of opportunity to share and discuss the challenges you have faced in your programmes in the face-to-face workshop.

  • Case Study 1
    Mahanesia
  • Case Study 2
    Azataluena
  • Case Study 3
    Balalya
  • Case Study 4
    Tokrali
  • Case Study 5
    Waheheland

 

Focus: Sanitation and Access to Clean Water

[click here to access country data]

C4D Opportunities and Challenges

Water and Sanitation

Most of Mahanesia's population does not have consistent access to clean drinking water.  An estimated 57% of the population is without access to sanitation facilities and 40% without access to safe drinking water. Diarrhoea is the second cause of death among children under 5. Community boreholes are being developed in rural areas, although presently these are few. In urban areas, running water is usually provided by rooftop cisterns and other catchment arrangements, which do not always provide water suitable for drinking.

Urban sanitation infrastructure is also in a state of disrepair. Open sewers are common in urban areas, while in rural areas, defecation in open areas continues to contribute to illness. There have been several initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Health and international organizations to provide pit latrines in rural areas, where coverage with pit latrines is 20% of households, and to develop communication strategies to discourage open defecation.

During monsoon season, Mahanesia experiences major climatic disruption, including significant flooding, which affects the already poor water drainage system of the country. Together with this flooding, landslides are common. Deforestation and industrial pollution of air, soil, and water contribute to inadequate sanitation and poor water treatment. Ironically, the country has over the last decade experienced periodic droughts, particularly in the mountainous regions. The regular flooding and landslides put the inhabitants of the country at risk for waterborne diseases, particularly Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD). Poor sanitation in rural and some urban areas exacerbates the problem with AWD and other potentially significant waterborne diseases. In some regions, people’s houses are regularly destroyed by floods. Hence, many live in very crowded situations, and if human waste gets into the water supply, disease can spread very quickly.  Diarrhoea is a particular risk for children under five years old.

Other diseases which Mahanesia faces include dengue fever and malaria, both of which affect rural areas more severely than urban areas. The country has also been affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, with a prevalence rate of 1.1% in urban areas. Prevalence rates in rural areas are not presently known, and most individuals living in rural areas perceive HIV as an urban problem. Combating these diseases has required the government and the Ministry of Health to expend resources that could be used for developing the water and sanitation infrastructure, especially in flood-prone areas. 

Given these issues, the government and aid agencies are confronted by the need to be prepared for the potential humanitarian crisis that may occur during the annual monsoons, but also to develop long-term behaviour change interventions to help prepare communities for the challenges of annual flooding. So far, international organizations have been unable to institute a comprehensive multi-year C4D strategy to encourage sanitation practices, focusing instead on the yearly crisis that consumes agencies’ time and resources. Donors are also primarily interested in annual or bi-annual reports, which have made it more difficult to implement the long-term strategies necessary to prepare the rural population for the annual floods.

Click to View Country Data for Mahanesia

Geography

Land area: 700,000 sq km (about the size of Myanmar). The country is generally mountainous, although coastal lowlands provide significant space for farming. The country has adequate supplies of fresh water, which are primarily used for domestic consumption and irrigation. The country is located near major shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean.

Climate

Tropical monsoons hit the country every year between June and September. In other times, the country is cloudy, rainy, and hot. The mountainous regions tend to be less cloudy, with scant rainfall, mild temperatures, and lower humidity during winter.

Population, Demographics, and Ethnicity

50 million (2005 census).  25% of the country’s population is under the age of 15. The population is presently mainly rural. However, many in the younger generation are moving to the cities, which are experiencing a 3% annual growth rate in addition to population growth. There are 8 major ethnic groups in the country. Two of the 8 ethnic groups have indigenous origins and live in underserved areas of the country. An estimated 3.5% of the population has some form of mental or physical disability.

Languages

While the country has one major language, the eight (8) ethnic groups also have their own languages.

Religion

Muslim (40%); Christian (35%); other religions in smaller percentages.

History/Political System

The country gained independence from a European colonizer in the 1960s, and the path to democracy has not been entirely smooth. The early years of independence were marked by military rule, although in recent years the country has been moving towards a multi-party democratic system.

Economy

GDP per capita PPP (U.N. HDI, 2010) is $1,200.  Macro-economic statistics fail to represent the growing income gap between wealthy urban dwellers and rural farm families, who make up 70% of the population.  It is estimated that 32.7% of the population live at or below the World Bank second-level poverty measure of under $2 U.S. per day PPP. The business climate is widely perceived as opaque, corrupt, and highly inefficient. Over 60% of the government budget is allocated to state owned enterprises - most operating at a deficit. The most productive sectors are in extractive industries, especially oil and gas, mining, and timber, causing significant environmental degradation. Other areas, such as manufacturing, tourism and services, struggle in the face of inadequate infrastructure, unpredictable trade policies, neglected health and education systems, and endemic corruption. International organizations are very visible in the country, with 40 working in different fields.

Health

Average life expectancy (UN HDI, 2010) for men is 60.2 years, and women 62.6 years.  Infant mortality is high, with an average of 50.76 deaths per 1,000 live births. Under 5 mortality rate (U5MR) presently stands at 107. The country has a national healthcare system, but access to hospitals and clinics is limited, especially in the rural areas. In recent years, the country has struggled to retain qualified medical personnel, many of whom have left the country for posts abroad.

Education and Literacy

The country has a national system of education. Attendance up to Grade 8 is mandatory and funded by the national government. The Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) in primary education is 90.2. Although the Primary Completion Rate for both sexes is increasing, it is still below 80. Access to education after Grade 8 is based on examination results, and funded by school fees and government. The Literacy Rate is presently 80%.

Media Systems/
Access to Media and ICTs

The government controls all domestic broadcast media; three state-controlled television stations with one of the stations controlled by the armed forces; a fourth TV channel, a pay-TV station, is a joint state-private venture; access to satellite TV is limited with residents required to register and pay-a-fee for all satellite television receivers; two state-controlled domestic radio stations; 10 community radio stations; and transmissions of several international broadcasters are available. Regular access to the Internet is available to 9.8% of the population. Mobile penetration is low, at approximately 2%. Journalists and other activists report some government coercion exists in the media sector.

Other Statistical Data

Birth registration 9.8%

Institutional deliveries 16.0%

Skilled attendant at delivery 20.1%

Marriage before age 15 among women 33.1%

Marriage before age 18 among women 74.0%

Prevalence of orphans 20.1%

 

Focus: Children Associated with Armed Groups

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C4D Opportunities and Challenges

Children in Armed Groups

A decade-long conflict between government forces and rebel groups has recently escalated in Azataluena. The rebels lack the military support necessary to overthrow the government and although violence had been decreasing between 2002 and 2009, rebels have recently increased attacks against civilians, and large areas of the countryside are under their influence or are contested by security forces.

Rebels have long used children, both boys and girls, in their forces. These children are mainly recruited from the rural areas. Of the children, 25%-50% are estimated to be females, some as young as eight. Some children are forced to join, but others join by choice. Children are used as messengers, cooks, launderers and other tasks. In addition, both boys and girls sometimes serve as combatants, and girls, in particular, are sometimes used for sex. Sometimes, rebel groups pay soldiers, and children who live in poverty see enlistment as an opportunity to generate income for their families. While the rebel groups are driven by ideology, most of the children are driven by social exclusion, mistreatment, lack of educational opportunities, and lack of jobs in rural and marginal areas. Girls join for similar reasons, but also to sometimes escape sexual abuse in the home, to be socially included, and to have the possibility of a career with the rebel groups that they would not have otherwise.

More recently, the government has begun recruiting young people less than 18 years of age for military training and service. Statistics collected by international NGOs suggest that there may be as many as 11,000 children presently in the service of the government and rebel groups in a military capacity. Although the country has signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the optional protocol to the CRC on the involvement of children in armed conflict, this has not arrested the recruitment of children. Despite participation in these agreements and domestic laws that prevent the recruitment of children into the armed forces, both governmental and rebel groups continue to recruit and use children in a military capacity.

Together with the child soldier crisis, the ongoing conflict has displaced as many as 550,000 people from their rural homes, increasing movement toward cities and further exacerbating the overcrowding occurring in those areas. It has also increased the risk of various diseases, including waterborne diseases such as bacterial diarrhoea and vector borne diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever, as displaced individuals are often unable to obtain medical services.

Click to View Country Data for Azataluena

Geography

Land area: 1 million sq km (roughly the size of Colombia). The country has a long coastline, more than 3,000 km, and is generally flat with some mountainous areas in the north. Occasionally the country experiences natural hazards where the highland areas are subject to volcanic eruptions or earthquakes. In addition, parts of the country are subject to periodic droughts. Much of the country’s arable land (15%) is suitable only for grazing.

Climate

The country’s climate is mainly tropical, with cooler, drier weather in the highlands.

Population, Demographics, and Ethnicity

45 million (2001 census). The country has an infant mortality rate of 16.87 deaths/1,000 live births. Nearly 30% of the country’s population is under the age of 15. The country has five major ethnic groups. 

Languages

Although there is one national language, a total of 80 languages are spoken by indigenous groups. These languages are mutually intelligible but not dialectical of the national language.

Religion

The country is 85% Christian with 15% indigenous religions.

History/Political System

The country received its independence in the early 1800s from a European colonizer. Although the present government is based on a constitution and a parliament, there have been numerous incidents of human rights violations reported in the international media. The country has five major political parties, which represent the interests of the five major ethnic groups in the country. In addition to these sanctioned political parties, two important rebel groups operate mainly from the northern highland areas. These groups influence national, regional, and local politics through direct contact with individuals and by mobilizing large numbers of both armed and unarmed individuals for protests, demonstrations, and periodic armed attacks on government installations such as health facilities and schools. Military service of at least 18 months is mandatory for those men and women turning 18 years of age. In practice, despite the minimum legal recruitment age of 16, military service is performed between the ages of 15 and 24.

Economy

GDP per capita PPP (UN HDI, 2010) $9,022. The country has recently seen revenue and income decline as a result of the global economic crisis and relaxation of governmental monetary controls, leading to currency devaluation and an increase in interest rates. The majority of the people of the country are involved directly or indirectly in service industries. Large and ongoing inequalities in wealth, among other reasons, have contributed to the present civil unrest. At present, 74% of the country’s population live in urban areas, and these areas are presently experiencing a nearly 2% growth rate. International organizations are very visible in the country, with nearly 60 working in different fields. Despite these interventions, the population of the country living below the World Bank poverty measure of $US 2 per day PPP is estimated at 12%.

Health

Life expectancy at birth is 65 years. The U5MR has decreased in the last fifteen years and now is at 20. Over the last 20 years, the infant mortality rate has also decreased to 16/1000 live births from more than 30/1000 lb. The country has a well-developed healthcare system, although it has struggled to provide adequate financing for the sector. In addition, during the civil conflict, hospitals and clinics have sometimes been the target of violence or hostilities.

Education and Literacy

The country has a national system of education with attendance mandatory through Grade Nine. The ongoing violence, which has included damaging school facilities, has contributed to reluctance among some parents to send their children to school, which is affecting the primary school net enrolment. The Primary school NER is 87%, and the total adult literacy rate is 82%.

Media Systems/
Access to Media and ICTs

The government has recently stepped up efforts to reassert control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. However, neighbouring countries have expressed concern about the violence spilling over their borders. As part of this process, the government has nationalized several previously privately owned broadcast media outlets, although presently several television and radio stations remain privatized. The country has a large number of community radio stations (144) and several national, regional, and local TV stations. In addition, the Internet is widely available in urban areas, with more than three million broadband users. At the end of 2009, the mobile phone penetration rate was 96%.

Other Statistical Data

Birth registration – urban 97%

Birth registration – rural 77%

Child Marriage – urban 19%

Child marriage – rural 38%

 

Focus: Access to Education for Undocumented Immigrant Children

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C4D Opportunities and Challenges

Exclusion from Education

International NGOs report that undocumented immigrant children, despite increasing numbers of dedicated programmes, still suffer high levels of discrimination in Balalya's education system.  In primary education the enrolment and attendance of undocumented immigrant pupils are disproportionately low; undocumented immigrant pupils present an uneven and only partial transition to secondary education, and absenteeism is a persistent and serious problem affecting all pupils.   Dropout rates increase with age, as a result of an effort to find gainful employment or because of low performance, or possibly a combination of both.   

Formal and informal practices of segregating undocumented immigrant pupils persist, despite strategies and policies developed to combat such practices.  Placement in separate classrooms or in special schools is justified on the grounds of their (perceived) “different needs”, or of their patterns of behaviour, or as a reaction to their learning difficulties. Their separation from other pupils may also be a result of their residential and social segregation.                       

Education remains a channel and perpetrator of intergenerational discrimination and inequality towards undocumented immigrant children. Teachers, who are not adequately trained to deal with ethnically mixed classes, are not sufficiently supported in their work by intercultural mediators and not adequately paid. Prejudice is expressed in the form of harassment, racial slurs and scapegoating at school. In some cases there is a lack of pre-school education crucial for early assimilation of school norms and expected behavioural patterns, and for developing proficiency in the national language. Finally, the relatively low formal educational level of parents affects their ability to support their children in learning and lowers their aspirations.  

Given these issues, the government and social service agencies are concerned with the potential problems associated with many undocumented immigrant children being denied access to education. So far, attempts to develop effective communication strategies to deal with these issues have been unsuccessful.

International agencies have pressured the Government to implement a more inclusive policy, and some participants in government have acknowledged the problems associated with the exclusion of members of the undocumented immigrant community from formalized education.

Click to View Country Data for Balalya

Geography

Land area: 300,000 sq. km (roughly the size of Italy). The country is highly diversified in terms of territory and geography, consisting of islands, mountainous regions, and coastal lowlands.

Climate

Parts of the country are hot and dry, while others are temperate, with medium levels of rainfall.

Population, Demographics, and Ethnicity

60 million (2004 census). High fertility persisted until the 1970s, when it plunged below the replacement rates, so that as of 2008, one in five people was over 65 years old. In the first decade of the 21st century, the country experienced a growth in the crude birth rate for the first time in many years and presently, 12% of the population is under 15. Sixty-eight percent of the population lives in urban areas, and the rural population is 32%. The urban growth rate for the past ten years has been 0.7%. An estimated 2.1% of school-aged children have some form of mental or physical disability, although this figure does not include undocumented immigrants.

Languages

Six ethnic groups are legally recognized. Three minority languages  have co-official status along with the primary language in various parts of the country. However, five other languages – brought in by the latest waves of immigration - are spoken and not officially recognized.

Religion

Religious freedom is a key component of the country’s constitution, although 97% of the population practice Catholicism.

History/Political System

Politically, the country is considered democratic and open. Executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers, led by a President. The legislative power is held by the two houses of the Parliament and the Council of Ministers. While there is some corruption in the political system, journalists and others report that they are allowed to do their work freely.

Economy

GDP per capita PPP (U.N. HDI, 2010) $18,064. The country is mainly industrialized, important in world trade and exports. Its main economic activities have been influenced by the country’s position on the sea, thriving tourist trade, and the varied traditions represented by the different regions of the country. The country has experienced a prolonged economic boom that caused a major rural exodus to the cities, and at the same time transformed the nation to a net immigrant-receiving country. There are no official data for poverty measure, however, it is estimated that 2% of the population lives at or below the World Bank second-level poverty measure of under $2 U.S. per day PPP.

Health

Combined life expectancy is 80 years.  U5MR has decreased in the past twenty years, from ten to four, and the infant mortality rate from nine to three.  The total fertility rate has significantly grown in the past few years, thanks to rising births among both foreign-born and national women, as it climbed from an all-time minimum of 1.18 children per woman in 1995 to 1.41 in 2008. Combined life expectancy is 80 years. The country has had a public healthcare system since 1978, and healthcare spending in the country accounted for more than 9.0% of GDP in 2008.

Education and Literacy

The country’s public education is free and compulsory from six to 15 years of age. The country has a five-year primary stage and an eight-year secondary stage, divided into first-grade secondary school (middle school) and second-grade secondary school (or high school). The country has both public and private education systems. The Literacy rate is presently at 98%.

Media Systems/
Access to Media and ICTs

Two main media companies dominate the terrestrial broadcast market, with a combined eight television stations owned between them. There are more than 1000 radio stations in the country (ITU, 2005). 85% of people have access to the Internet (60% have access to broadband). Mobile phones are also prevalent, with a 90% penetration rate.

Other Statistical Data

Percentage of children aged 5–14 engaged in child labour - 3%

Birth registration - 96%

 

 

Focus: Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health

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C4D Opportunities and Challenges

Youth and SRH

Despite the wide availability of media and several communication projects developed by international organizations, Tokrali young people’s knowledge on general Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) issues is low, as is the demand for sexual and reproductive health services, and use of contraceptives, particularly condoms.  A number of country-level studies have included youth SRH knowledge, attitudes and behaviours; data from one such survey indicated that only 13.1% of married adolescents (15-19) could name at least one method of contraception. Ethnographic interviews conducted in small communities in the capital city revealed that very little is known or understood about male or female reproductive organs and the reproductive physiological process. SRH education has not been yet included in the pre-secondary and secondary curriculum. At the programmatic level, the specific needs of adolescents with regards to SRH have not been made a priority and existing programmes mainly focus on HIV/AIDS.

Despite the low levels of knowledge on SRH among youth, another recent survey found slightly higher levels of awareness on HIV/AIDS issues. Sixty-one per cent of youth interviewed for this survey had heard about HIV/AIDS and 85% of those knew it could be transmitted via sexual intercourse; 57% said they knew what a condom is, and within this group 94% of them had already seen one. In addition, 63% said they would use condoms to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and 60% of the youth interviewed had talked about HIV/AIDS with their parents. On the behavioural aspect, among those who knew what a condom is (57%) and had had sexual intercourse (39%), 33% actually used a condom. However, misconception levels were high, with 50% of youth thinking that HIV could be transmitted by mosquitoes and 40% by sharing clothes.

The Government has implemented a national strategy to increase awareness, knowledge, and positive practices related to SRH, particularly among youth aged 15 – 24. Key components of this strategy concern the abatement of gender-based violence, increased access to family planning services, management of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and culturally appropriate counselling.

The strategy acknowledges that young people are at particular risk of getting HIV infection and proposes interventions specifically designed for youth, such as reinforcing social norms which tend to promote abstinence through life-skills programmes. However, it recommends the promotion of condoms to those engaged in sexual relations, to enhance young people’s use of health services, as well as sex education in schools, media and health facilities and youth centres.

Media Environment

Although mass media are still in a growing phase, data suggest rapid progress towards increased radio coverage and penetration, and gradual penetration in the case of TV. A 2007 study found that informal face-to-face communication and radio are the most trusted sources of information in the country.  Interpersonal communication remains the primary form of communication in the country, while radio has increased its penetration and it is now estimated at 80%. Officials from the government have indicated that the installation of new repeating antennas will soon allow for coverage above 90%.

Click to View Country Data for Tokrali

Geography

Land area: 250,000 sq km (roughly the size of New Zealand). Part of an archipelago, this nation has high seismic and volcanic activities with volcano eruption and earthquakes being a natural threat in many of the islands.

Climate

Generally temperate, with large variation among regions.  Very hot and humid; rainfall has been erratic in the last years; monsoon rainfall from October/November to February/March.

Population, Demographics, and Ethnicity

3.7 million (2005 census). Inhabitants of the country tend to be young, with 35% of the country’s population below the age of 18. The population growth has slowed from 3.4% in 2000 to 2% in 2009. The population is presently mainly urban (70%), with 58% living in the main cities, particularly in the capital, which holds 30% of the population.  Urban areas continue to grow, with a rate of 5% every year since 2000. Data suggests that the age of first birth in the country is presently decreasing, with the adolescent fertility rate at 78 per 1000, higher than neighbouring countries and suggesting earlier sexual debut by teens. The country has six major ethnic groups.

Languages

A multiplicity of cultures and languages are found among its population and important divisions are found among different groups. While the country has three official languages, each ethnic group has its own language.

Religion

The dominant ethnic group is monotheistic (65%) and controls the economic, political and communication systems. Indigenous and other traditional religions are practiced by the remainder of the population.

History/Political System

Colonized and invaded several times throughout its recent history, the country won its independence during the third quarter of the 20th century. This independence did not bring political stability and for more than fifteen years, the country has been suffering internal tensions and periods of violence originated by cultural/ideological and religious divisions within the country.

Economy

GDP per capita PPP (U.N. HDI, 2010) $3,030, with 27% of the population living on below $2.00 per day. Farmers make up 30% of the workforce, although the agricultural sector contributes only 13% of the GDP of the country, whereas the industrial sector represents 18% and the services sector represents 42%, with tourism being increasingly important in the region. Due to volcanic activity, mineral deposits are abundant and the country has large gold and copper deposits.  Due to geothermic activity the country is also one of the largest geothermal producers in the world. 

Health

The country has a life expectancy rate of 50 years. Although U5MR has decreased greatly in the last twenty years, it is still at 93. Infant mortality is high, with an average of 75 deaths per 1,000 live births. There is a national system of healthcare, but given the political instability in the country, services in clinics and hospitals tend to be minimal at best. There is a shortage of skilled physicians in the country, partly made up for by the presence of international organizations.

Education and Literacy

The NER is 63%. The country has a national system of education. Students are required to attend primary school until the age of 12, or Grade six. Subsequent education is fee based or merit based, depending on the results of exit exams in Grade six. Approximately 35% of primary students go on to secondary education. The Literacy Rate among the population is 80%.

Media Systems/
Access to Media and ICTs

The penetration of mobile phones is very high, with 87% of the population having access to a mobile phone. There are approximately 25 AM and 40 FM radio stations and five terrestrial broadcast TV and 10 cable/satellite television stations. Estimates of internet penetration vary from 30% to 55% of the population. However, of only 5% of individuals have access to broadband Internet. The media use the two main official languages of the country. Other official-regional languages are used on the radio. 

Other Statistical Data

Birth registration, total – 53%

Child labour, total – 4%

Skilled attendant at birth –18%

Exclusively breastfed children– 52%

 

Focus: Child Survival and Nutrition

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C4D Opportunities and Challenges

Child Survival and Development

Strong economic growth since independence has seen Waheheland classified as an upper-middle income country. However, this has not translated into reduced rates of poverty, equitable distribution of resources or contributed to employment creation.

Social development has not kept pace with economic development. Given the high unemployment, 43.3% of children live in poverty, with little difference in poverty between orphans (45.3%) and non-orphaned children (42.9%).  Poverty is concentrated in rural areas, certain language groups and large families.

There is widespread under-nutrition among children less than five years of age throughout the country. In a 1992 National Demographic and Health Survey, 28% of children were found to be stunted, almost 9% of the children in the survey were wasted, and 26% of the children nation-wide were underweight. Children in the northeastern region experienced the highest rates of underweight and stunting, while wasting was most prevalent in the central region.

Around one third of Waheheland's population between six and 21 years old suffered from iodine deficiency in 1990, while 22% of 1,831 school-aged children were found to be iodine deficient in 1992. The prevalence ranged from 1.8% in the south central region to 61.4% in the northeastern region. Children below 5 years of age were most at risk. In the northwestern and northeastern areas, the prevalence of goitre in children below 5 years reached 65% and 27%, respectively. Iodine deficiency is reported to be the world’s leading cause of preventable mental disability in children. Children with iodine deficiency have been found to have up to 13 IQ points less than children who are not deficient. According to the publication 4 in 10 households in this country do not use iodised salt and are therefore at risk of iodine deficiency.

Malnutrition accounts for up to 10% of all U5 child mortality. While the percentage of children underweight (too thin for age) has declined in the last two decades, stunting (too short for age) and wasting (too thin for height) have increased. With one out of every three children under the age of five stunted, the country has almost twice the percentage of moderately stunted children and three times of severely stunted children than what is expected for a country with its level of economic development. This national data also masks significant regional and mother-tongue disparities.

 All forms of under-nutrition among the U5 age group are more prevalent in the rural areas in comparison to the urban areas. 31% of U5 children are stunted in the rural areas compared to 24% in the urban areas. Regionally, severely high levels of stunting affect at least one third of the regions of the country with the worst affected areas at 40% prevalence.

A look at the situation of malnutrition along wealth lines reveals that children from the lowest wealth bracket are almost three times as likely to suffer from stunting as children from the wealthiest wealth bracket. This situation of inequity and vulnerability needs to be urgently addressed so as to improve the health and survival of the children in the lowest wealth brackets.

The link between nutrition and sanitation is only recently becoming evident. Simple but effective and inexpensive interventions to reduce stunting, micronutrient deficiencies, and child deaths such as keeping the environment clean, washing hands with soap at crucial times, encouraging mothers to breastfeed, encouraging appropriate complementary feeding and vitamin A, zinc, iron and iodine supplementation, could be very effective in addressing issues related to malnutrition. 

Click to View Country Data for Waheheland

Geography

Land area: 824,292 sq km (about the size of Namibia). The country’s terrain is mostly high plateau, with deserts on the western coast and the eastern border with its neighbor.  The country has a coastline of 1,572 km.

Climate

The weather is dry, hot and desert-like, with sparse and erratic rainfall. This country experiences prolonged periods of drought in addition to limited natural fresh water resources, and natural hazards.

Population, Demographics, and Ethnicity

2.1 million (2010 estimate). The median age is 21.4 years with 21.3 years for male and 21.4 years for female. The population growth rate stands at 0.909% while the birth rate is 21. 82/1,000 population and the death rate is12.97 deaths/1,000 population. The total population of urban areas is about 37% of the total population with the annual rate of urbanization of 2.9%. There are 11 ethnic groups in the country, although the majority (52%) belongs to the same ethnicity.

Languages

The country has at least three indigenous languages spoken by about 1% of the population, while the major languages spoken commonly are European in origin, spoken by about 75% of the population.

Religion

The country is predominantly Christian. Other indigenous beliefs are also practiced by about 10% to 20% of the population.

History/Political System

The country gained its independence from its colonial mandate in the latter part of the 20th century. The government operates as a republic, and executive power is exercised by a President and a representative council.

Economy

GDP per capita PPP (U.N. HDI, 2010) is $6,900. The country’s bureau of statistics classifies 27.6% of the population as “poor” and 14% of the population as “severely poor.” The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export, including diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, and zinc. Mining accounts for 8% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about 35-40% of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. This country normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides one of the world's most unequal income distributions.

Health

Average life expectancy (UN HDI, 2010) for men is 52.2 years for men and 51.64 years for women. Infant mortality rate is relatively high, with an average of 34 deaths/1000 births, and the U5MR is 47.5/1000. The degree of infectious diseases is high with food or waterborne diseases like bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever being the major diseases in addition to malaria and schistosomiasis. Estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this results in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected. The country has a national healthcare system, but access to hospitals and clinics is limited, especially in the rural areas.  

Education and Literacy

The constitution directs the government to provide free primary education; however, families must pay fees for uniforms, books, hostels, and school improvements. The primary NER is 91.2 percent. According to the Ministry of Labour’s child labour survey, 80 percent of working children between the ages of six and 18 continue to attend school while they are employed

Media Systems/
Access to Media and ICTs

The country has one private and one state-run television station with satellite and cable TV service is available. It also has state-run radio service broadcasts in multiple languages while about a dozen private radio stations are in operation.  Transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available. The number of Internet users stands at about 127,500. Mobile phone penetration rate is presently 16/100, although given significant desert areas, mobile phones operate in less than 50% of the country.

Other Statistical Data

Birth registration, urban – 83%

Birth registration, rural – 59%

Child marriage, urban – 6%

Child marriage, rural – 11%

Total child labour – 13%