Lesotho Child Poverty Study

The Centre for Global Health, Population, Poverty and Policy has joined with colleagues from the National University of Lesotho to write a study of poverty in Lesotho.

This is part of a larger international study, run by UNICEF, that investigates the situation of children in different countries. The results of the study feed directly into the National Development Plan, which is currently under development.

The Lesotho Child Poverty Study also looks at the country’s budget and analyses the proportion that goes towards child policies, while studying the national policies relating to children and their efficacy. Academics are also asking the children themselves about poverty. Through the taking of photographs and theatre, young people are highlighting the issues that are important to them.

"Results indicate that child poverty is falling in the country, although problems still remain. Existing policies and laws are good, but are not implemented or enforced completely. Child mortality is also not falling fast enough – policies need to be enacted that quicken the pace of mortality reductions," says Amos.